What about the legal process when the cloud is brought in? Lawyers are always involved in the procurement of any software or services, so they certainly have a role. But with cloud computing, it does shift the kinds of protection they might look for in the contract.
Because the college is placing business-critical data in someone else’s hands, the contractual obligations are different. There are questions about the viability of the system, how often it is updated, how long the data is stored, is the data deleted when the vendor says they’re going to. In essence, when buying software on a campus, it’s all about the license agreement; with a cloud vendor, the focus shifts to the service agreement and the protection of privacy, records, and information.
Switching to a cloud-computing scenario can begin with baby steps in order to allow the school to become comfortable with the change. For example, migrating more localized applications like Inquiry or CRM to the cloud allows campuses to achieve financial savings since the on-site system infrastructure—a costly and sometimes unwieldy element—is eliminated.
The big payoff is in the more comprehensive enrollment management areas where the value proposition for admissions and financial aid can include a major improvement in operational efficiency enabling a dramatic impact on incoming class demographics and a compelling return on investment.
The benefits can be huge, and there are plenty of ways to get your feet wet in the cloud that can enable an environment of business agility and cost reduction, a combination not seen before in education.
Bob Burke is president of FolderWave Inc.
See also:
- AI is reshaping entry-level work and the talent pipeline - May 25, 2026
- How higher ed and lifelong learning can shape a future-proof workforce - April 8, 2026
- What’s the state of wireless in higher education? - April 6, 2026
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