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Transforming technology from a complexity burden into a strategic academic enabler.

The hidden cost of technology complexity

As the pace of technology continues to accelerate, institutions across the UK are seeing expectations similarly rise at pace. Delivering against these expectations has the potential to drastically change the course of a student’s future, but IT teams are often too busy with day-to-day tasks and routine firefighting to meaningfully make a difference. As complexity increases, the problem gets worse, and those actually in a position to deliver change get stuck, frustrated with what seems to be a never-ending cycle.

In this complex digital landscape, universities need more than technology management – they need partners who act as part of the team; partners who know the education environment, and make academic success the ultimate measure of their achievement.

This is exactly what we strive for at Conscia. We absorb complexity so that you can focus on education.

Your transformation with Conscia

UK universities face an ongoing struggle with technology complexity.

Key challenges include:

  • Strategic gap: Institutions that treat technology as a purely operational matter risk falling behind those that leverage it strategically.
  • Time drain: IT departments spend 60-70% of their time on system maintenance, leaving little capacity for innovation.
  • Siloed decisions: Technology choices made in isolation create integration challenges, limiting flexibility in teaching methods.
  • Security constraints: Robust security requirements often inhibit the collaborative learning environments that staff and students desire.

Forward-thinking universities are tackling these issues by partnering with technology experts who understand the unique demands of higher education.

This collaboration opens up new opportunities:

  • Technology excellence: Solutions tailored to the specific university environment will enhance competitiveness and student satisfaction.
  • Mission focus: Academic teams can prioritise education and research while technology complexity is handled by trusted partners.
  • Security as an enabler: Security frameworks shift from barriers into foundations for innovative teaching and collaboration.
  • Lifecycle thinking: A proactive approach prevents costly reactive cycles, ensuring resources are spent on strategic growth rather than emergency stopgaps.

By working with the right technology partner, universities can redefine their approach to technology.

Together, they can:

  • Drive transformation: Enabling digital evolution across the institution, rather than limiting it to IT departments.
  • Build partnerships: Treating technology providers as integral team members rather than external vendors.
  • Optimise operations: Delivering seamless technology, for improved student satisfaction and learning outcomes.
  • Balance expertise: Global technology knowledge is combined with local understanding to meet the specific needs of UK institutions.

Start your
journey today

Learn how our sector-led strategy can streamline university technology choices and keep you focused on the things that matter.

Peer
insights

Discover how similar universities are achieving their technology-enabled innovation.

What our clients are saying

This has been a big project, but partnering with Conscia and using Cisco solutions means I have peace of mind. The products will work the way they’re promised, and we have great support in our corner. It feels good, especially to know that we’ve provided for students in a way that we were never able to before.

Jason Weids, Network Manager of IT Services

Bath Spa University

The result has been transformative. This development has accelerated the way we think about learning provision by a decade. When you create time and space, that’s when you can add value, and that’s what STCG can do now. Our IT infrastructure is no longer the limitation, and the College Group is able to grow.

Roberto Volo, Director of IT Services

South Thames College Group

Conscia provides an exceptional level of service with the highest quality, and with an almost immediate response to both incidents/faults and requests for equipment quotes or professional services. We’ve been working with Conscia since 2017 and enjoy a mutually successful relationship. Operational quote requests are fulfilled within an hour – sometimes within minutes. It’s great to deal with a team that really knows, and has insights into, the products and solutions they sell.

Jeanette Connelly, Network Operations Manager

University of Portsmouth

Working with Conscia and Cisco to implement Webex Connect within a very tight deadline went very smoothly – with everything set up, agents and admin staff trained, all in less than two weeks. Using Webex Connect to manage WhatsApp messages exceeded my expectations. Although only used for a short campaign, feedback from our agents and students was very positive. We now have other teams within Coventry University looking at how they can utilise the service with WhatsApp and other communication channels.

Adam Measey, Voice Solutions Architect

Coventry University