How was the Sisu Student Information System developed?
What kind of Student Information System will be created when higher education institutions and Funidata join forces? Discover how Sisu (SIS) was built from the ground up – always with students in mind.
How would you like a study path where students can plan their studies, register for courses, and track their progress from a single, clear, and up-to-date view? Just over a decade ago, this was not yet reality in Finnish higher education institutions, it was still just an aspiration for the future. The need for change was obvious. And so Sisu (SIS) was born – a user-oriented Student Information System that doesn’t just replaces the old but reshapes the entire way of thinking.
Why was a new system needed?
When Finnish higher education institutions began to consider their future Student Information Systems at the turn of the 2010s, it quickly became apparent that there was no solution on the market that would truly meet their needs. Existing systems were approaching the end of their technical service life and developing them in a student-oriented direction would have been difficult and expensive. In addition, they were mainly built around registration, which often left broader student management processes constrained by the system’s limitations. A solution was needed that would support both administrative efficiency and a smooth study path for students.
Developed together with higher education institutions
To meet the needs of higher education institutions, the Sisu Student Information System was created - a joint investment developed by Funidata in close cooperation with several Finnish higher education institutions. Higher education institutions have been closely involved in defining system requirements and Funidata has responded with professional software development. The cooperation model has enabled the development of the Student Information System to proceed rapidly, while still listening to the needs of the users. Higher education institutions have gained visibility and opportunities to influence development, but Funidata has been responsible for ensuring that development remains agile and the direction clear.
Designed with students in mind
From the very beginning, it was clear that the student would be the starting point of Sisu's design. The goal was to create a service where students would have everything they need at their fingertips – from planning studies and enrolling in teaching to tracking progress and graduating. The user interface and processes were designed to support full self-service, which required a high degree of automation and clearly defined processes. From the student's perspective, this means that things progress in real time in the system and information is updated immediately, without administrative delays.
Built to last and grow
Sisu's technical implementation is designed to meet the future needs. The cloud-based SaaS architecture, modular structure and agile development methods enable the system to scale flexibly in terms of both user numbers and features. Higher education institutions can adopt new functionalities at their own pace, while everyone benefits from the shared development.
Shaping the future of higher education
The Sisu Student Information System is not just a new system to replace an old one. Sisu is a shared platform for the higher education community, bringing together administration, students and teaching into a coherent whole. It is designed to meet today's challenges, while at the same time designed to meet the needs of tomorrow.
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In the next blog, we will dive deeper into what makes Sisu unique and why it is a solution for higher education institutions that should not be ignored.
