Executive Client Community

Raising Enterprise Effectiveness through Outreach

Datatel regularly reaches out to presidents, chancellors, CFOs, CIOs, and others – at conferences, executive forums, and regional gatherings – to give them the tools they need to raise enterprise effectiveness at their institutions. Be sure to check out our 2011-2012 calendar of executive programs, and join us to hear how we can help you address your most pressing business challenges.

A Note From John F. Speer, III
Datatel President and Chief Executive Officer

Update on Executive Forum/Proposed Combination

On September 23, Datatel hosted 138 higher education executives – presidents, CIOs, CFOs, CAOs, provosts, and vice presidents across campus – at the annual Fall Executive Forum in Chicago, IL. It was an opportunity for participants to engage with industry leaders and respected peers on a range of topics – from recruitment, retention, and reporting strategies to creating institutional excellence campus-wide and reducing costs through flexible delivery options.

Scott Jaschik, Editor of Inside Higher Ed, outlined the effects of the economic downturn on each sector within higher education and explained their distinct interrelationship. And Dr. Arthur Kirk, President of Saint Leo University, closed the day with a discussion on leading with ingenuity in this era of unprecedented change.

I had the privilege of kicking off the full-day event with an update on the recent announcement regarding the combination of Datatel and SunGard Higher Education and the industrial logic behind the combination that will create meaningful value for our client community.

The announcement August 5th that Datatel and SunGard Higher Education had signed definitive agreements to combine businesses and operate as one company generated a lot of excitement within the higher education community. Together our combined companies would serve more than 2,300 colleges, universities, institutions, and foundations in 40 countries around the world.

Our focus has always been on addressing the current and future needs of our valued clients. First and foremost, this strategic combination is about creating more opportunity to better serve you. Together, Datatel and SunGard Higher Education can do more for our clients than either company could accomplish individually.

So what does the proposed combination mean to you?

For one, it opens up a broader solution portfolio to meet the technology, services, and consulting needs of your entire institution. In keeping with our belief that "one size does not fit all," we will continue to support and invest in the solutions of both companies. We will also continue to develop ERP-agnostic solutions that work with Datatel and SunGard Higher Education administrative systems as well as those from other vendors. We understand that different institutions have different needs, and each company's solutions have unique strengths and features to serve those needs.

We expect our customers to realize significant value through the complementary products and services offered by both companies. For example, Datatel clients will be able to quickly take advantage of SunGard Higher Education's technology management services, such as IT outsourcing, hosting, and help desk, as well as its Talent Management Suite for human resources.

Additionally, you'll benefit from accelerated research and development through the pooled investments of the combined companies as we leverage industry standard technologies and services to address the evolving challenges facing higher education institutions today.

And finally, the combined company will provide you with access to the collaboration, creativity, and knowledge-sharing of a significantly expanded global user community. It is critical that we work together as a vibrant user community to facilitate open and direct exchange of ideas and information, with the result being the advancement of your institutional mission for student success.

As the combination process progresses, please be assured that as soon as we have more information to share, you will be among the first to know. We consider our relationship with you – a key executive customer – paramount to the success our mission, and I encourage you to reach out to me or to your key Datatel contact if you have any questions or feedback.

I hope to see you at an upcoming executive event in the near future.

Special Thanks to Datatel Executive Forum Guest Speakers:
Dr. Arthur Kirk President of Saint Leo University	Scott Jaschik Editor of Inside Higher Ed