How can universities break free from outdated systems and siloed data to create a seamless, modern experience for students and staff? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Joshua Meredith, JD, a Client Relationship Executive at Deloitte Consulting with over 12 years of experience inside higher ed. Joshua brings a unique perspective from his roles at Georgetown and Yeshiva University, and now from the consulting side, where he helps institutions navigate their biggest tech challenges. They dive into the urgent need to replace aging ERPs and SIS systems, the transformative power of unifying data, and the practical applications of AI from the classroom to the athletic field. Joshua offers a clear-eyed view of the budget realities schools face and provides crucial advice for leaders looking to future-proof their institutions. This is a must-listen for any university leader, CIO, or administrator invested in building a more connected, data-driven campus. Key Takeaways: The End of the ERP Era is Here: The enterprise systems (like PeopleSoft) implemented in the early 2000s have reached the end of their life cycle. Institutions must now upgrade to modern, mobile-friendly platforms that allow for true data interconnectivity to meet today's user expectations. Data is a Cavernous (But Solvable) Problem: Campuses generate vast amounts of data (from key card swipes to LMS logins), but it's often siloed and unusable. The next revolution in higher ed will be about unifying this data to generate actionable insights for everything from space utilization to student mental health. The "Integrated Experience" is Non-Negotiable: Students expect a seamless, app-like experience, not 20 different links to manage their academic life. Creating a unified Digital Experience Platform (DXP) is critical for student satisfaction and institutional success, especially for decentralized schools. AI is a Practical Tool, Not Just a Buzzword: The most immediate benefits of AI lie in augmenting human roles, such as providing advisors with tools to manage larger caseloads more effectively. It can also analyze disparate data points (dining hall use, gym attendance, LMS activity) to proactively identify and support at-risk students. Change Requires a Dedicated "Band" of Investment: University leaders must consciously earmark a specific portion of their budget for technological change and innovation, separate from maintenance costs. Waiting for immediate ROI or trying to fit transformation into an already-baked budget is a recipe for falling behind. Leaders need to plan and fund this journey years in advance. Your Network is Your Net Worth: A recurring lesson from Joshua's diverse career is that the people you meet are never transactional. Relationships built along the way will often circle back and become integral to your career and life, underscoring the importance of not burning bridges.     Find Joshua Meredith here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuameredithjd/ Deloitte https://www.deloitte.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/