When investing in a new software platform for your university, there are many long-term aspects your team should consider. The effect a new platform will have on your employees, the time needed for installation and implementation, and so on. However, one of the most important aspects for many universities relates to your return on investment, or ROI. Campus logistics platforms can be costly depending on the size of your university, and although these costs will result in a myriad of benefits, making the initial purchase can be difficult. Here, our team of campus logistics software experts discuss how you can make this transition a little easier, and how you can present relevant ROI data to stakeholders as a means of requesting additional funds for your department. From minimizing daily manpower and maintenance costs to improving profitability through efficient workflows, investing in a campus logistics platform such as Intra will surely yield impressive financial returns.

Efficiency Improvements Result in Decreased Costs

While this may not be the first thing you think of when considering ROI for your campus logistics platform, efficiency improvements from implementing new software can save your team tens of thousands of dollars each year. The initial purchase of a new campus logistics software, along with installation costs and initial equipment will need to be budgeted for, however, considering the amount spent to react to inefficiencies in your current process may already outweigh this transition. Consider this – you are a central receiving manager at a large state university, with extremely outdated facilities management software. Because you are unable to keep your warehouse organized, and your equipment is outdated, your day is filled with sending equipment for maintenance or repair and requesting additional employees to help combat the rising number of students looking for their packages. As a result, your warehouse or storage area becomes inefficient, leading to excessive time and money spent combating outdated software that does not serve your team well.

Many outdated software platforms were created without configurability in mind, often leaving universities feeling defeated when their platform can not meet their current and future needs. Because of this, mailroom, asset, central receiving, and campus services managers are left to fill in the gaps on their own. Working at a university, your primary goal is to serve students and faculty to the best of your abilities. Did you know that 98% of companies stated that investing in good software to help scale their business to meet rising demands is critical?  The same goes for the higher education sector, as student enrollment and in-person learning return post-pandemic. Thankfully, SCLogic’s Intra EDU software platform was created with scalability in mind, and our team can configure the perfect selection of workflows to keep your campus running as efficiently as possible, all while reducing maintenance and manpower costs.

Profitability Increases Through Campus Logistics Automations

Automation in facilities management and IT is just what it sounds like, creating applications and technology that can automatically complete tasks that were previously done manually to improve reliability, efficiency, and speed. In the realm of campus logistics, automations present in modern software platforms allow for streamlined task completion, as well as improved and detailed oversight of your current operation. For example, warehouse automation for central receiving managers can be used to minimize fatigue and expedite workflows for employees, specifically through the use of mobile scanning devices, digital barcodes and RFID tags, and a comprehensive analytics dashboard. When it comes to campus automations, businesses and universities across the country are dialing in on the benefits of automations in the near future. Did you know that 87% of facilities management industry decision-makers are in the process of or planning warehouse expansion by 2024? Or that 90% of organizations plan to hire mobile-equipped employees to optimize inventory tracking, shipping, and receiving?

For many warehouse and central receiving managers, repetitive tasks, and a disorganized space result in an inefficient department with little knowledge of how to transition and adapt to new technology. For some, the term automation may sound scary, as it can insinuate that these current tasks will replace employees with machines. However, this is not true, and many campus logistics automations are created with ease-of-use in mind for employees of all capabilities. With Intra EDU, our goal is to create a completely optimized campus, using technology as a solution for your current pain points, while maintaining the importance of human connection and improvement in the modern workforce.

Prevent Costly Errors & Preserve Partner Relationships

When considering ROI, you are likely primarily looking at the direct financial gain your department or university will receive because of this implementation. However, an area that is often overlooked, but just as vital to the success of your department is the preventative ROI received. What do we mean by this? By proactively implementing a campus logistics platform, you minimize manual errors that can negatively impact your relationships with students, faculty, and partners. For example, your team will be able to reduce the number of lost or misplaced packages by gaining greater accuracy in recording carrier package tracking numbers, as well as parcel verification for proof of delivery. Furthermore, you can conduct multi-level, detailed searches through Intra to gain insight into all your specific package tracking needs. Finally, you can use Intra’s innovative and configurable analytics dashboard to see which carriers and partners are exceeding in their KPIs and SLAs, and where there are gaps that may need to be addressed.

Through these insights, your team can confidently speak with internal partners to ensure that both parties are meeting their agreed-upon service levels and provide data on improvements or goal completions for stakeholders to see. For external partners and other financial stakeholders, ensuring that your department continues to run smoothly will allow for stronger relationships to be maintained, helping your team increase revenue. Finally, becoming a lucrative department with the help of a campus logistics platform such as Intra will show stakeholders the value of your team, and likely lead to departmental budget increases in coming years.

See How SCLogic Can Optimize Your Campus Logistics

When it comes to choosing a new campus logistics platform, there are many considerations that must be taken into account. Not only does this platform have to serve you as we navigate the tumultuous climate of hybrid, virtual, and in-person learning, but in the coming years as your university continues to grow. For many campuses, departments such as the mailroom or central receiving area are often overlooked, leaving your team with dated equipment that is ultimately hurting more than it is helping. By implementing a modern campus logistics platform built for revenue generation, your team will reap significant benefits, streamlining workflows and creating a welcoming campus for students and faculty. With over two decades in the higher education facilities management sector, our team is dedicated to ensuring your university is flooded with success after implementing our Intra EDU software. With a team of passionate and knowledgeable campus logistics software experts, we’re ready to take on this new chapter with you. Interested in learning more? Email [email protected] or schedule a demo with one of our team members today!