Ohio State student systems project highlighted for innovation
Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and it not only drives us forward as a university but also drives the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI) forward as a department. This time last year, a small group of OTDI team members completed the successful migration of our student information system (SIS) to the cloud. The change was exceptionally noteworthy because it enabled us to improve in several key areas – (1) enhancing the student experience, (2) increasing system agility, and (3) achieving operational excellence and lower costs. It is a prime example of the power of innovation and collaboration.
Because of the extensive scope and widespread benefits of this work, The Chronicle of Higher Education created a case study that highlights the achievement in detail: Ohio State Modernizes Student Information System. The success of this project reflects the collective commitment and talent that OTDI brings to the table every day.
The move to the cloud has allowed us to harness the potential of cloud computing, giving us the flexibility to scale up our system during peak times, such as the start of semesters, and scale back during quieter periods like holidays during the academic year. We also used this as an opportunity to transform to infrastructure-as-code to dramatically increase our agility and ability to continue to innovate. This agility not only enhances the robustness and functionality of our systems but also extends the life of the student system, providing a sustainable solution for years to come.
Moreover, this transition will reduce our costs by approximately $350,000 annually—an impactful savings that enables us to reinvest in other critical areas that further support Ohio State’s academic missions. This win is a reminder of how ongoing changes, big or small, contribute to the broader success of the university and positive experiences for students, faculty, and staff.
The depth and breadth of talent necessary to make this project a reality reminds us of the importance of collaboration across OTDI and sponsor areas, because we are all one team working on behalf of the university. This project was a huge lift that involved SIS sponsors and several teams within OTDI, including our Cloud Platform Engineering, Database Services, Enterprise Servers & Storage, Enterprise Application SIS & Batch Team, Datacenter Networking, Release Management, Project Management, Solution Engineering, Enterprise Integration, AWS Migration Technical Assistance, and AWS Coordination and Go-live Assistance.
Every step we take in advancing technology and embracing new solutions builds a stronger, more innovative institution for everyone. Together, we’re leading Ohio State into a future where we continually push the boundaries of what’s possible.