Banner SaaS Transition

What is Saas?

Think of SaaS (Software as a Service) like switching from owning a car to using a high-end rideshare service. Instead of buying a car, parking it in your own garage, and having to change the oil and fix the engine yourself, you simply use an app to access a vehicle that is maintained and fueled by someone else.

In the tech world, instead of Southern owning the software and keeping it on physical servers in a building on campus (which requires our staff to manually install updates and fix hardware), we subscribe to it over the internet. The company (Ellucian) handles all the heavy lifting, like security updates, backups, and improvements in the cloud. For you, it means the system is more reliable, works from any web browser, and always stays up to date without us having to take the system offline for a weekend to fix the engine.

What are the Benefits?

• Always Up-to-Date: No more waiting for Version 9 or Version 10. Since the software is hosted in the cloud, updates and new features are rolled out automatically. You will always use the most up-to-date version of Banner.
• Enhanced Reliability: By moving off of campus servers and into Ellucian’s dedicated cloud environment, we significantly reduce the risk of system downtime during critical periods like grading or registration.
• Work from Anywhere: SaaS is built for the modern world. Whether you are in your office in Engleman Hall, working from home, or traveling for a conference, you’ll have the same fast, secure access through any standard web browser.
• Top-Tier Security: Your data is protected by industry-leading encryption and security protocols that are monitored 24/7 by dedicated experts. This move adds a massive extra layer of protection for student and faculty records.
• Better Integration: The SaaS platform makes it much easier for Banner to talk to our other campus tools (like Blackboard or Slate), creating a smoother experience across all the apps you use.

Banner Modernization?

By moving our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Student Information System (SIS) to a cloud-based SaaS platform, Southern is empowering our faculty and staff with more accessible, intuitive, and real-time tools. This transition is about more than just technology; it’s about providing the high-level support our students deserve while streamlining the operations that keep our campus running.

By reducing our reliance on legacy infrastructure and embracing automated, cloud-based updates, Southern will remain agile, secure, and efficient. This shift allows us to spend less time managing software and more time on what truly matters: delivering an exceptional education and supporting the success of every Owl.

Key Outcomes of our Modernization Initiative

• A Superior Student Experience: Providing students with a modern, mobile-friendly interface to manage their academic journey from anywhere.
• Data-Informed Decision Making: Access to near real-time data and enhanced reporting tools to help us better understand and support our student population.
• Focus on Our Strengths: Standardizing routine administrative processes so we can focus our energy on the unique programs and personal mentorship that differentiate Southern.
• Streamlined Campus Operations: Simplifying business processes to reduce red tape and improve the workflow for departments across the university.
• A Resilient, Secure Infrastructure: Leveraging a modernized system that offers higher availability, seamless scalability, and industry-leading security with significantly less downtime.
• Continuous Innovation: The ability to deploy new features and updates instantly, ensuring Southern’s digital tools are always at the cutting edge.