The document discusses ACU's digital transformation journey from 2016-2019. It summarizes: 1) ACU implemented the WSO2 platform to integrate applications and establish an enterprise integration backbone, addressing issues like point-to-point interfaces and data duplication. 2) Over 3 years, ACU standardized digital capabilities, implemented a student portal, and is working to improve the student experience through technologies like analytics, chatbots and CRM integration. 3) Moving forward, ACU aims to create a frictionless digital fabric through technologies like AI, IoT, omnichannel experiences and automated business processes to better serve students.

1. Get on the bus for the
transformation journey
Bernard Stepien
Associate Director, IT Applications & Platforms
DATE: August 2018

2. • Data is the currency
• Applications and IoT are the printing press of the new currency
The new paradigm
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3. • How do we provide insight into this data to better inform decision making
• How might we capitalise on this currency and printing press to efficiently support
our business and outcomes?
• We had an ambition goal of “enter data once”
• How will IT enable the business strategy & outcomes ?
The business questions
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4. • This is a business answer to a business question
• In other words, not a technical answer for a business question
• If you are still here, jump on to the bus for quick journey
• More info at technical case study
Spoiler alert
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5. About the university
A quick intro
• ACU
• Est. 1 Jan 1991
• ~35,000 students
• ~2,500 staff
• 8 campuses (Brisbane, North Sydney, Strathfield, Canberra, Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide,
Rome!!)
• Or 4 states, one territory and a European outpost

6. • Challenges and implications before WSO2
• Geographically separated entity
• Low maturity levels in various areas
• Skills gap
• Unknown technology ecosystem
• Internal resistance to change
• Multiple projects running at various
speeds
• We didn’t want our currency counterfeited
or laundered
• Discovery / technology review
• 300+ applications
• Point to point interface hairball
• Multiple data sources = duplication
• Design
• Enterprise architecture
• Infrastructure streamlined (inc. cloud
adoption)
• Application portfolio rationalization
• New enterprise integration platform
• New content management platform
implemented
• Cyber security program for capability uplift
Our story
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7. ACU Integration Landscape (evolving)
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Why:
• Point to point integration
landscape organically
grown over time
What:
• Blitz the backyard of ACU
application integration to
deliver the benefits we
discussed before;
Proof of value:
• Completed platform
strategy for enterprise
integration,
• Implemented the EIH,
• Used it integrate
enterprise applications
with key student systems

8. • What we have completed – 100 day vision
• Enablement of organizational strategy and outcomes
• Transformation of IT at people, process and technology levels = true partner not order taker
• Established planned program of work to implement digital foundations
• Benefits realized
• WSO2 is key backbone of our digital transformation & brings the agility and resilience
• Puts us in synch with other sector transformations
• Facilitates cloud services adoption
• Provides secure, reliable and timely data transport for an anytime / anywhere access with
enhanced UX
• Governance: ICT, information, risk
• New internal culture - Now we can’t keep up with demand….
Challenges addressed
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9. Digital Journey
2016-2019
3 Years Plan
2016 Q1
SITECORE
Selected as Digital Enabler
Q2
WSO2 ESB
Enterprise Data Integration
Q3
DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Student Portal
Q4
Student Portal
Go-Live
2017
Q1
ARCHITECTURE & DEBT REVIEW
Sitecore
Q2
SOLUTION ARCHITECTURE & QUICK FIXES
Public Website
Q4
IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER SELECTED
2018
Q1
IMPLEMENTATION & P2P REVIEW
Public Website - Begins
Q4
Public Website & ERP / P2P REMEDIATION
GO-Live
2019
Where is ACU in its digital transformation journey?
Q3
BUSINESS CASE & RESOURCING
Tough times ahead, mixed resource
approach
Q2
ECOSYSTEM REBUILD
Building our new ecosystem, tooling up,
configuration
Q3
ERP / CRM / WS02 WORKS
Upgrade to 6.2, Enable message broker, automated testing,
CRM integration

10. Our DevOps / Agile model
Release
Project planning
Build
Continuous Integration / Testing
Continuous Feedback
Deploy
Operate / Monitor
Considered
Considered
Considered
Considered

11. • The standardisation
• Search and content personalization, CRM
integration, chatbots, BI and DW
• The innovation and cool stuff
• Revamping our Student Lifecycle Experience,
feeding the enabling tech roadmap (currently in
review and documentation) – planning
subsequent phases
• Empathy for students and their journey
• Insight to deliberately design specific moments
• Our future direction/ target state is frictionless
digital fabric to digital ecosystem
• Cognitive technologies i.e. AI becomes an
actor, IoT’s initiate, communicate and transact on
its own to fulfil a business process (similar to
autonomous cars),
• Omni channel – from prospecting to onboarding
and delivering programs with micro credentials
• Business process automation through RPA,
microservices
Horizon - Digital enablement for ACU Student Experience
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12. • Before jumping on the bus
• Know where you are going i.e. a vision
• Validate your hypothesis i.e. go beyond the marketing brochures
and do a proof of concept
• While on your way to first destination
• Have governance in place to navigate your journey
• There is only one way to eat an elephant i.e. one bite at a time.
• When you reach your first destination
• Reflect and plan the next leg
• Be prepare to adjust your plan (remain agile)
• Re-fuel and service the bus for a smooth run
Key takeaways
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13. “Dan bus eken bahinna”
- now you can get off the bus until your
next jouney
Thank you
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15. • Email: Bernard.Stepien@acu.edu.au
• Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/bernardstepien
Let’s connect: