The Challenge
Before implementing Argos, Stetson University struggled with reporting that was slow, fragmented, and difficult to manage. Departments were at the mercy of Banner deliverable reports, which came in cumbersome, unusable formats. Maintaining changes was difficult, and staff relied heavily on Excel “shadow systems” that were shared via email. The IT team didn’t have the bandwidth to create the custom reports departments needed, leaving teams constantly hoping extracted data would sync correctly with downstream processes.
The Solution
Argos became the backbone of Stetson’s reporting and analytics strategy, enabling the university to centralize data, standardize processes, and empower departments to manage their own reporting needs. With Argos, teams gained reliable access to accurate, up-to-date information, drastically reducing reliance on IT for custom reports. Staff could focus on higher-value work, make decisions confidently, and streamline workflows, fostering a culture of efficiency and data-driven action across the university.
One notable example of Argos in action came during the pandemic, when the team leveraged Argos to distribute contact tracing communications and notifications to faculty, a process that would have been nearly impossible without the solution.
Another example of Argos’ power is the Academic Standing DataBlock, a favorite of the team for its ability to streamline complex communications. Previously, communications relied on a time-intensive mail merge process that sometimes led to errors requiring reversal. With Argos, this DataBlock allows for highly customized communications that can be sent at the click of a button, handling exceptions easily while improving accuracy and efficiency. When applied, it demonstrates how Argos can be tailored to meet the specific needs of departments, saving staff time and ensuring students receive correct and timely information about their academic standing.
The Results
Argos transformed both workflows and the culture of decision-making at Stetson University:
- Shadow Excel systems and siloed reporting were eliminated.
- Communications to students became faster, more accurate, and easier to manage.
- Staff gained the ability to handle exceptions and one-off cases with minimal effort.
- Access to reliable, centralized data empowered teams to ask strategic questions and think creatively about improving processes.
- Entry-level staff and managers could now raise questions and explore new approaches, strengthening institutional innovation.
The Future
Stetson University is excited about expanding the impact of Argos with Argos X, which will allow functional users to explore data independently, analyze trends, and further optimize processes. The university is also leveraging the Argos DataBlock connector to integrate trusted reporting with Power BI, combining Argos’ data management and processing capabilities with powerful visualizations.