Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 15 | Page 85

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// INTELLIGENT VERTICAL: EDUCATION THE IMPORTANCE OF AVAILABILITY FOR UNIVERSITIES IN 2018 The cost and importance of higher education mean this sector is always open to scrutiny. Claude Schuck, Regional Manager for Africa at Veeam, says application and data availability are crucial to both the smooth running of a university and ensuring it the headlines for the right reasons. T he unfortunate upshot is that technology and availability failures, which compromise the student experience and the ability of staff to work effectively, are judged more harshly than they were in the pre-digital era of higher education. Especially now that universities are constantly watched over by government departments and regulatory bodies that manage everything from fees to the student experience. Availability stakeholders To understand the availability challenges faced by universities, it is necessary to look at the various user groups they must cater www.intelligentcio.com for with their services. As well as their unique needs. Obviously, there are the students. Today, they expect easy access to resources, learning portals and information from universities they are told are becoming increasingly connected. And they want seamless experiences, characterised by consistent availability wherever they are and at whatever time of the day they are working. Whether that is at the crack of dawn in a library, rushing to complete a paper or at midday on campus, looking to access important information, such as timetables and classroom materials. Significantly, while these demands may feel standard, giving students constant access “ FACTORS LIKE STUDENT BODY SIZE, WHETHER IT IS A CAMPUS OR COLLEGE UNIVERSITY AND REGION ALL INFLUENCE THE EVENTUAL SOLUTION. INTELLIGENTCIO 85