Higher education is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by evolving student expectations, the need for flexible learning options, and increasing pressure to demonstrate a strong return on investment (ROI). Hybrid learning, which blends online and in-person experiences, has emerged as a critical strategy for institutions looking to meet these challenges. However, effectively implementing and managing a hybrid learning environment requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the associated costs and benefits.
Cisco's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) tool helps higher education institutions make informed decisions about their hybrid learning investments. It provides a structured way to assess both the financial and strategic impacts of transitioning to a true hybrid model, enabling institutions to optimise their technology deployments, reduce costs, and enhance the overall learning experience.
The Challenges of Traditional AV and the Case for Hybrid
Traditional AV solutions often involve multiple point solutions, leading to high complexity, expensive integration, and limited value from collected data. Hybrid Work & Learning offers a more cost-effective, integrated solution – reducing complexity, enhancing data insights, and improving interoperability across learning environments.
Key Benefits of the Cisco TCO Tool:
- Validating Customer Value: The TCO tool provides CIOs and other decision-makers with clear financial and strategic value metrics that justify the move to hybrid learning. By quantifying the potential cost savings, productivity gains, and enhanced learning outcomes, the tool helps build a compelling case for investment.
- Building a Business Case: Securing internal funding for hybrid learning initiatives can be challenging. The TCO tool offers concrete evidence to support internal funding requests and executive buy-in, making it easier to gain the necessary approvals.
- Scenario Modelling: Universities can use the TCO tool to simulate different implementation scenarios and understand the potential costs and benefits over time. This allows institutions to explore various technology options, deployment models, and service levels to determine the optimal approach for their specific needs.
Key Features and Capabilities:
The Cisco TCO tool takes a holistic approach to evaluating the costs and benefits of hybrid learning, considering factors such as:
- Hardware and Software Costs: The costs associated with deploying Cisco collaboration devices, software licenses, and other necessary equipment.
- Support and Maintenance Costs: The costs of IT support, hardware maintenance, and ongoing system administration.
- Energy Costs: The potential for energy savings through the use of more efficient technologies and optimised space utilisation.
- Productivity Gains: Productivity benefits of hybrid learning, such as more efficient meeting setup, improved collaboration, and reduced meeting disruptions and downtime.
- Revenue Generation: Opportunities for increased revenue through improved student retention, increased enrolments, and the ability to attract a wider range of learners.
Beyond Cost Savings: The Broader Benefits of Hybrid Learning
The TCO tool focuses on the financial benefits of hybrid learning, but it's important to recognise the broader strategic advantages as well:
- Seamless Experience Across Spaces: Consistent UI with one-touch join, dynamic content sharing, and automated updates
- Advanced AI collaboration features: AI audio/video (speaker tracking, noise cancellation), real-time AI transcription, translation, and meeting summaries
- Simplified Management & Support: Centralised control with AI-driven device monitoring and proactive troubleshooting via Webex Control Hub
- Rich Analytics & Actionable Insights: Real-time occupancy, usage, and environmental analytics for improved space and resource optimisation
- Continuous Innovation & Future-proofing: Cloud-based feature updates, extending lifespan without hardware refresh
- Flexibility & Reconfigurability: Easy room reconfiguration enabled by AV-over-IP, power over ethernet, and simplified infrastructure
- Interoperability & Extensibility: Native support for Microsoft Teams plus extensive APIs/SDKs for flexible integrations
Cisco's TCO tool is a valuable resource for higher education institutions seeking to unlock the potential of hybrid learning. By providing a clear and comprehensive framework for evaluating costs and benefits, the tool enables institutions to make informed decisions, optimise their technology investments, and create a more engaging, effective, and sustainable learning environment.
Contact your Cisco representative today to learn more about how the TCO Tool can help your institution build the case for hybrid learning.
