December 19, 2024 | 6 minute read

Why Move Banner to the Public Cloud?

By David Kent, President, David Kent Consulting

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, higher education institutions are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of migrating their core systems, such as Ellucian Banner, to public cloud platforms. This blog delves into the reasons for making this move, the benefits it offers, and how David Kent Consulting (Kent) ensures a seamless and optimized transition to the cloud.

Understanding Public Cloud for Banner

The public cloud is an IT infrastructure model where resources like servers, storage, and networking are made available as virtual assets over the Internet. Public cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) enable organizations to access cutting-edge technologies without maintaining on-premise systems.

For higher education, this transition ensures that critical administrative tools, like Banner, operate more efficiently while aligning with evolving institutional goals.

Key Benefits of Migrating Banner to the Public Cloud

1. Scalability and Elasticity
   Public cloud platforms allow institutions to dynamically scale their resources based on demand. Whether it’s managing surges in registration periods or scaling back during off-peak times, the flexibility ensures optimal performance without over-investing in hardware.
   
2. Cost Efficiency
   Shifting to a consumption-based costing model eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware and ongoing replacement costs. This transition allows IT budgets to focus on strategic initiatives rather than operational maintenance.
   
3. Reliability and Security
   Cloud infrastructure offers multiple disaster recovery (DR) options, cross-region redundancy, and advanced security features like Zero-Trust security. These measures drastically reduce the risk of data breaches, malware, and unplanned outages.
4. Innovation and Accessibility
   Migrating to the cloud provides access to the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and analytics. Institutions can leverage these technologies for better decision-making and improved student experiences.
5. Maintaining Control
   With the right migration strategy, institutions retain control over their customizations, upgrade schedules, and unique business practices, ensuring continuity and flexibility.

David Kent Consulting’s Approach

David Kent Consulting specializes in helping institutions migrate Banner to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and other public cloud environments. Their comprehensive approach includes:

1. Cloud Architecture Optimization
   The Kent approach ensures that the migrated cloud environment is sized, secure, and performance-tested. This includes tailoring architectures to meet specific institutional requirements.
2. Managed Services
   With Kent’s managed services, institutions gain end-to-end support, including:
   • Infrastructure Management: Disaster recovery, network provisioning, and system monitoring.
   • Database Management: Performance tuning, upgrades, and instance configurations.
   • Application Management: Installation, integration, and deployment of custom modifications.
3. Zero-Trust Security
   By implementing advanced Zero-Trust security protocols, Kent ensures that institutions safeguard their systems, data, and users against internal and external threats.
4. Disaster Recovery Planning
   The Kent approach includes annually validated, flexible recovery architectures that meet defined recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs).
5. Multi-Cloud and Vendor Flexibility
   Kent offers seamless portability of Banner between cloud providers, avoiding vendor lock-in and ensuring flexibility for future growth.

Advantages of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure stands out as a robust platform for hosting Banner due to its wide range of integrated services, including:

• Compute and Storage Solutions: Secure, high-performance options for managing institutional data.
• AI and Machine Learning Services: Tools for predictive analytics and process automation.
• Comprehensive Analytics and BI Tools: Enhanced reporting and data visualization capabilities.
• Distributed Cloud Models: Flexibility with Public Cloud, Dedicated Cloud, Cloud@Customer, and Multi-Cloud setups.

When institutions “own their tenant” on OCI, they gain complete access to all Oracle Cloud services, allowing IT staff to adopt new technologies faster and achieve better outcomes.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Cloud Migration

Pros:

• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Institutions can allocate IT staff to strategic initiatives rather than system maintenance.
• Cost Savings: When done correctly, a cloud migration eliminates hardware costs and reduces overall operational expenses.
• Improved Security: Advanced protocols like Zero-Trust secure sensitive student and institutional data.
• Flexibility and Innovation: Access to cutting-edge technologies and scalability options.

Cons:

• Initial Transition Complexity: Migrating legacy systems to the cloud may require careful planning and expertise.
• Dependence on Cloud Providers: Institutions must ensure they retain control and avoid vendor lock-in through strategic partnerships like those offered by Kent.

Cloud Migration Beyond Banner with David Kent Consulting

While Banner is the primary focus, Kent’s expertise extends to other systems, including:

• Degree Works
• Banner Workflow
• ODS & EDW (Operational Data Store & Enterprise Data Warehouse)
• Document management solutions like Application Enhancer
• Third party applications such as Evisions’FormFusion, IntelliCheck and Argos

This holistic approach ensures a cohesive, integrated ecosystem that supports institutional goals across departments.

Conclusion

Moving Banner to the public cloud is not merely a technological upgrade; it’s a strategic move that aligns higher education institutions with the future of digital innovation. With benefits like cost savings, scalability, and enhanced security, the transition empowers institutions to focus on their core mission of delivering exceptional educational experiences.

David Kent Consulting stands out as a trusted partner in this journey, offering tailored solutions, extensive expertise, and a proven track record of success. With their support, your institution can confidently embrace the cloud era, unlocking new possibilities for growth and efficiency.

For more information, contact David Kent Consulting today.