Data integration is not one-size-fits-all, and higher ed IT teams are now learning this the hard way. Most colleges currently use an iPaaS system like Zapier, Integrately, Workato, or others to collect and manage on-campus data. While connecting your systems to any platform is quite straightforward, scaling these platforms becomes a major challenge with messy APIs, multiple integrations, and rapidly growing data. As a result, iPaaS systems now demand a great deal of effort to keep abreast of on-campus infrastructure changes and new datasets.

With scaling becoming a huge problem, many colleges are now opting for an integration relationship management platform by AMSA Connect, a one-of-a-kind solution for collecting, authenticating, and streamlining data flow.

The 3 Major Challenges of Scaling an On-Campus iPaaS System

Undoubtedly, iPaaS solutions have been handy for colleges in the last few years. However, most higher ed institutions initially used them for fewer processes with a small number of connected users and endpoints. But as the numbers increased, these systems began to show their inefficiencies, and there’s no place for their shortcomings in the current landscape.

So without further ado, let’s check out the 5 major challenges of scaling an on-campus iPaaS system:

1. Integrating On-Campus Assets

As most colleges undergo cloud migration to digitize their data processes, the biggest challenge they face is quickly integrating their on-campus data centers with iPaaS systems. This is mainly because most platforms only support RESTful API, which slows the integration down as every endpoint has to be rewired to support the iPaaS flows.

2. Dataflow Disruption

With so many endpoints to connect manually, scaling an on-campus iPaaS system can disrupt or limit data access in different departments which can lead to major problems at any given stage in the student life cycle.

3. Processing Data Silos

As the education industry undergoes process transformation, most paperwork, forms, marketing, and communication is becoming digital. As a consequence, higher ed institutions have to process silos of unstructured, raw data. Unfortunately, most iPaaS platforms are simply not capable of handling the massive data influx, which makes scaling more complex.

Bottom Line

In our rapidly advancing world, simple data movements from one point to another are no longer sufficient. Higher ed institutions have more data than ever before to process and manage to improve the student life-cycle and operations.

Fortunately, an integration relationship management platform like AMSA Connect can easily address the major challenges of scaling an on-campus iPaaS system. With AMSA Connect, you can connect unlimited endpoints effortlessly and streamline your data flow. Our system also efficiently converts raw data into healthy, deduplicated data and provides a social media-like feed for real-time inter-departmental communication. For more information regarding our services, feel free to get in touch right away.