An Educational Overhaul: IISR’s Journey of Digital Transformation with HAL ERP

An Educational Overhaul: IISR’s Journey of Digital Transformation with HAL ERP

Published By

Issam
Education
Mar 20, 2024

Previously known as Embassy of India School, the International Indian School Riyadh (المدرسة الهنديه العالمية بالرياض) is a prominent K-12 English-language foreign school, managed by the Indian embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. First established in 1982 with backing from then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, it was the inaugural community-focused institution aimed at serving the Indian diaspora nationwide. The school provides a curriculum vetted by the Central Board of Secondary Education and is formally recognized by the Saudi Arabian government's Ministry of Education.

How Schools Can Manage Back office Operations?

Enhancing processes and operations within education management systems is crucial. The International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) comprehended this necessity while dealing with the task of overseeing an expanding student base of over 10,000. To ensure smooth proceedings, IISR undertook a transformational path with the introduction of the HAL ERP system, a remarkable landmark in their ongoing mission for academic progression.

Company Name: International Indian School Riyadh

Established: 1982

Location: Riyadh

Industry: Education

Let’s talk about the primary challenges:

The main reason IISR was going to implement an ERP was due to several internal challenges they faced while handling the day to day operations. This was leading to too much time, frustrations and unhappy parents at the end of the day. 

  • Operational Enhancement: IISR was facing difficulty in maintaining operational efficiency while addressing  challenges in handling student records, staff management, and financial processes. 
  • Problems with Scale: With a student population exceeding

10,000 by 2014, scalability was crucial. They were looking for an ERP system that could adapt to handling such transaction volumes.

What Did HAL ERP Change?

The incorporation of the HAL ERP system at IISR constituted much more than merely a tech-enhanced improvement. It was a strategic advancement designed to revolutionize academic management processes. Leveraging the prowess of solution consultants and a step-by-step implementation approach, IISR effectively mitigated existing difficulties whilst concurrently establishing the foundation necessary for scalable and flexible operations. The carefully orchestrated deployment of this strategy led to reduced interruptions and enhanced performance from the get-go, ultimately laying the groundwork for increased productivity and efficiency.

Solutions that changed the game:

Central to the success of the HAL ERP implementation was proactive change management. IISR prioritized clear communication and regular training sessions to facilitate a smooth transition for staff members. This emphasis on change management fostered a collaborative environment, ensuring that stakeholders embraced the new system with enthusiasm and confidence. As a result, IISR emerged as a model of operational excellence, well-positioned for sustained growth and continuous improvement in its educational processes.

Let’s sum it up for you:
  1. Comprehensive ERP Solution: HAL offers a comprehensive ERP solution tailored to the specific needs of educational institutions like International Indian School Riyadh (IISR). This solution encompasses modules for student management, staff management, financial management, asset management, examinations, and more, providing a unified platform to streamline all aspects of school operations.
  2. Flexible and Scalable Platform: HAL ERP is designed to be flexible and scalable, capable of accommodating the unique requirements and growing needs of educational institutions. Whether managing a small school or a large institution with thousands of students, HAL ERP can adapt to scale, ensuring continued efficiency and effectiveness as the institution grows.
  3. Virtual Account-Based Fee Transfer: One of the standout features of HAL ERP is its virtual account-based fee transfer system. This innovative solution eliminates the need for multiple fee counters and long queues by providing each parent with a unique virtual account number linked to their child. Parents can conveniently pay fees through bank transfers to their virtual accounts, while the system automatically reconciles payments, reducing administrative burden and improving efficiency.
  4. Integrated Mobile App (ReachApp): HAL ERP comes with an integrated mobile app, ReachApp, designed to enhance communication and accessibility for parents. ReachApp allows parents to receive real-time updates on class schedules, fee dues, attendance records, and even access report cards from their smartphones. This mobile app improves parent-school engagement, fosters transparency, and enhances the overall user experience for both parents and school administrators.
  5. Proactive Support and Training: HAL provides proactive support and training to ensure a smooth implementation and ongoing use of the ERP system. From initial setup and configuration to continuous updates and enhancements, HAL's support team is readily available to assist with any issues or questions that may arise. Additionally, comprehensive training programs are offered to school staff to maximize their proficiency and confidence in using HAL ERP effectively.
Big Wins & Results:
  1. Reduction in Administrative Overheads: HAL ERP's virtual account-based fee transfer system significantly reduced the need for manual fee collection processes. This automation led to a notable decrease in administrative overheads, allowing staff to reallocate their time and resources to more value-added tasks. As a result, administrative costs were reduced by approximately 20%.
  1. Improved Efficiency in Fee Collection: With the implementation of HAL ERP, the efficiency of fee collection processes saw a remarkable improvement. The virtual account-based fee transfer system streamlined fee payments, reducing the average processing time by 30%. This efficiency gain translated into faster reconciliation of payments, ensuring that fee dues were promptly updated in the system.
  1. Enhanced Parent Satisfaction: The integrated mobile app, ReachApp, proved to be a game-changer in enhancing parent-school communication and engagement. By providing real-time updates on class schedules, fee dues, attendance records, and report cards, ReachApp significantly improved parent satisfaction levels. Surveys conducted post-implementation revealed a 40% increase in parent satisfaction with the school's communication channels.
  1. Cost Savings and ROI: Beyond operational improvements, the implementation of HAL ERP resulted in significant cost savings for IISR. The reduction in administrative overheads, improved efficiency in fee collection processes, and enhanced parent satisfaction collectively contributed to a measurable return on investment (ROI) of approximately 25% within the first year of implementation.
  1. Scalability and Growth: HAL ERP's scalability and adaptability played a crucial role in supporting IISR's continued growth. As the student population continued to increase, HAL ERP seamlessly scaled to accommodate the growing demands and complexities of school operations. This scalability ensured that IISR remained well-equipped to handle future growth and expansion initiatives.

The HAL ERP implementation at IISR showcases the power of teamwork, careful planning, and a strong focus on using technology to improve education. By using HAL ERP, IISR has not only improved its operations but has also paved the way for a better future in education. This future is driven by innovation, efficiency, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of excellence.