Can All University Administration Systems be shared via the Cloud?

Moving University Administrative Systems to the Cloud has the potential to make “game changing” reductions in capital costs, improvements in flexibility, and increases in functionality. Such a wholesale move, however, may not be feasible. Cloud based services have to be standardised, offered to a broad user base, under contracts with limited longevity, and directly to end-users. Some administrative systems, by contrast, need to be customisable, are offered to a small number of users, depend critically on longevity of contracts, and require qualified IS to maintain security and integrate with other systems. This paper explores where cloud solutions are feasible and where they are not. It provides a model of potential use of the cloud in Australian universities, and discusses future developments which could affect this model.