In a previous article, Should I be using EDA architecture with my TargetX/Salesforce CRM, we explored a few potential use cases where introducing EDA (Education Data Architecture) would make sense alongside your managed package/TargetX applications.
In this article, we will provide high level steps for the use case of transitioning off of TargetX and toward Education Cloud.
Step 1: Determine which Education Cloud products and features you intend to use
Understanding your goals for the CRM is always the best place to start. Perhaps one of your end goals is to have a more robust marketing tool such as Marketing Cloud that integrates seamlessly with your admissions and student experience. Or possibly you are looking to transition to Admissions Connect and/or Student Success Hub. Whatever your end goal, having an awareness will bring clarity to the steps toward getting there.
Step 2: Determine which third-party packages you will keep and which ones you will sunset
Most institutions that we work with use a few (or many) third-party (non-Salesforce) applications or tools that integrate with Salesforce. This could include but is not limited to the following: form builders, calendar applications, middleware/integration tools, email/marketing tools, etc.
It is important to identify which tools you would prefer to keep and which ones you would like to move away from. It is also good to understand your contract situation with these providers and if/how the cost will change when you move away from TargetX.
Step 3: Install EDA
Getting the Salesforce Education Data Architecture in your instance is a solid way to actually begin the transition to Salesforce-based products. Some high-level steps were included in the previous article.
We always recommend doing this in a sandbox environment first! Documentation for this process can be found here.
Step 4: Configure key components of EDA
Identifying and configuring key components of EDA is a key step in continuing the transition. What good is the step of installing EDA if you just let the application sit there?
In our previous article we recommended the administrative account feature and relationship management as two great places to start. Configuring these features will take a bit of time, but we promise it will make the next few steps that much easier.
Step 5: Build your roadmap for transitioning away from TargetX
This step starts with identifying your timeline and key user groups for the transition. Does it make more sense to start with admissions and recruitment? Or perhaps your institution’s advising team may be a better place to start.
Each institution is different and roadmapping may be the most difficult and most important step of this process. Include as many of your user groups during this step–They may be more excited for change than you think!
Step 6: Install and configure necessary add-ons for Education Cloud
Now that your roadmap is set, it’s time to begin the technical work. Luckily, many institutions have already begun successfully using products like Admissions Connect, Student Success Hub, and Marketing Cloud, so the documentation available in the Salesforce Knowledge Base will go a long way to making this process doable for you!