Software as a Service (SaaS) are increasingly being adopted in educational institutions worldwide. From managing students and enrolments to using analytics for scaling processes for higher output, universities, colleges, and schools are readily jumping on the efficiency train with these tech-based management solutions. Some even teach SaaS products.
What is SaaS?
SaaS is a software delivery model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the internet. In other words, instead of downloading and installing software on their computers or servers, users access the software via the internet.
With SaaS, customers typically pay a subscription fee to use the software, and the provider takes care of maintaining and updating the software. This means customers don't have to worry about things like hardware requirements, software updates, or security patches.
SaaS has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional software delivery models.
How does SaaS help in education?
SaaS platforms provide an efficient way of managing various aspects of education, including student records, course management, and academic reporting. SaaS platforms have many benefits, including ease of use, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and improved security. In this light, a SaaS platform can be a one stop solution for maintaining the infrastructure that is crucial for running any enterprise or initiative - be it managing a university’s profitability or keeping track of individual student performance for feedback and improved output.
Popular SaaS Platforms
Market leading examples include Google, Workday, Salesforce, Shopify, Microsoft & MYOB
Benefits of using SaaS in education
1. Easy to use.
One of the primary benefits of SaaS business management platforms is their ease of use. These platforms are designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for teachers and administrators to manage and organise student information. They typically have an intuitive interface that allows users to access all the features they need without requiring any technical skills. Moreover, most SaaS platforms come with customer support services, which can help users with any issues they encounter.
2. Cost effective.
Another significant advantage of SaaS business management platforms is their cost-effectiveness. Educational institutions can save money by using these platforms instead of investing in expensive on-premises software solutions. SaaS platforms are typically subscription-based, and institutions only pay for what they need. This means that they can scale their usage up or down as required, making it easier to manage budgets and costs.
3. Scale to new heights
SaaS platforms are also highly scalable, which means that they can grow with educational institutions as they expand. These platforms are designed to accommodate increasing numbers of users, courses, and data. This makes them an ideal solution for educational institutions that need to manage large amounts of information efficiently. Institutions can easily add new features, modules, or functionalities to their SaaS platform as their needs evolve.
4. High security
One of the most significant advantages of SaaS business management platforms is improved security. These platforms typically use the latest encryption technologies to protect student data, ensuring that it is safe and secure. Moreover, they provide users with robust access controls, allowing institutions to limit access to sensitive information only to authorised personnel.
5. Features and features and features.
SaaS platforms offer a range of advanced features that can help educational institutions improve their overall performance. These features include automated reporting, data analytics, and real-time monitoring. Automated reporting allows institutions to generate reports quickly and easily, providing valuable insights into student performance, attendance, and other metrics. Data analytics can help institutions identify trends and patterns in student behavior, which can inform decision-making around curriculum design and teaching strategies. Real-time monitoring allows institutions to track student progress and intervene when necessary to support student success.
6. Teaching SaaS
Educators can teach various SaaS platforms in applicable courses that students will end up using in potential career paths post studying that course. For example the teaching of MYOB in accounting and business courses. This will ensure students are job-ready, having experienced using and learning industry relevant tools.
MYOB
MYOB’s business management platform helps companies in Australia and New Zealand track and manage different business activities efficiently in one place.
Whether running a startup or an established enterprise, it is one business management platform with all key workflows needed to run a business – from accounting, tax, finance and supply chain, to employee and project management – MYOB saves businesses time and money.
Wherever your business is headed, MYOB adapts to meet changing needs, whilst providing the visibility and confidence needed to make better, more informed decisions and unleashing your business’s potential.
Example,
Quitch x MYOB
The Quitch and MYOB collaboration is helping educators, education businesses, and students access industry relevant tools and resources. Improving students digital, financial, and overall business literacy as they prepare to transition from education to employment.
An aspect of this initiative is the First Year Accounting Competition, with the first 2023 edition coming very soon for accounting students across Australia and New Zealand currently enrolled in the first year of their studies.