This is the third and final installment in a 3-part blog series about the smart campus and the benefits of using an integrated campus management system in the operation of a smart campus. In this blog I will explore some of the different priorities universities have when it comes to managing the campus and how it relates to the maturity levels of an integrated campus management system. I’ll also share some information about important next steps for campus management leaders.
When it comes to campus management systems and smart campus technology, not every higher education institution is at the same level – and not every university has the same objectives and priorities. A maturity framework for integrated campus management systems can help campus management leaders to see where they are currently in comparison to the standard, where they want to be strategically, and the potential value of closing that gap.
Planon has developed a maturity framework for campus management solutions that consists of these five levels:
As mentioned in the previous blog, the journey towards a smart campus starts with getting the basics in place, as indicated in phase one of the maturity model. If the framework is applied to the space utilization example we explored in the previous two blogs, we can see where a university would fall within the framework based on how far along they were in their space utilization initiative. For instance, phase one “Initial” would start with defining a business case and a use case for implementing the solutions and technology required to improve space planning and utilization. Phase five “Optimized” would be achieved when the university has a working solution in place. That solution would be integrated across the campus, and real-time data could be collected and used by all relevant departments and stakeholders. It is also in phase five where many universities could begin to test and experiment with technologies such as machine learning or augmented reality and apply them to processes like room booking and space utilization.
To achieve the objectives around optimized space usage from a technology perspective, campus management leaders must take a proactive role - looking at their maturity level and determining what is required to help steer their institution in selecting the right technology tools and campus management solutions to create a connected smart and intelligent campus.
Campus managers can use Planon’s maturity framework to help determine where their institution stands regarding strategy, processes, data, analysis & reporting, automation & technology, and organizational readiness, as well as determining what the next steps need to be for their organization. Based on the maturity framework, here are some example steps in relation to implementing an integrated campus management solution and smart campus technology for real-time optimization of space usage:
An integrated campus management solution will help campus management leaders to achieve their objectives around location awareness, improved maintenance, facilities operations and improved student and staff satisfaction. So, where are you in this journey and what will your next step be?
