A Realistic and Practical Guide for Creating Intelligent Integrated Solutions in Higher Education Using Enterprise Architecture

Abstract

Enterprise architecture (EA) plays a crucial role in organizations by providing a clear strategy for digital transformation and seamless information flow across boundaries. It is a tool for achieving current and future objectives effectively. By providing a comprehensive view, EA helps organizations build suitable and sustainable software solutions while avoiding complex challenges caused by unmanageable information flow blockages. Moreover, EA provides a standard framework for implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Although EA and ERP systems have different concepts, they possess complementary characteristics that support decision-makers in the ERP selection process, which can be quite risky due to cost feasibility, time consumption, and team effort. This study proposes using the EA concept as a reference module for selecting the most suitable integrated solution for the higher education sector. The aim is to provide high-impact criteria for choosing the most appropriate ERP system as a core solution. Additionally, EA supports other related solutions integrated with the ERP system under the EA umbrella to run a fully automated smart entity. To determine the most suitable ERP solution for higher education entities in the study country, a set of critical criteria for ERP selection as a core solution in the education sector is generated through brainstorming, which is based on an EA reference module specifically designed for higher education entities that seek to operate smartly. A comparison technique is employed to evaluate the highlighted criteria, including a case study for ABC University. The study’s results reveal that fully integrated and sustainable solutions can be envisioned for higher education entities, which can support the digital transformation of the higher education sector based on a smart EA reference module along with a set of critical main ERP selection criteria. This can mitigate the risk associated with ERP selection as a core solution and support decision-makers in selecting the most suitable ERP package for educational entities.