Attending EdTech Conferences? Make the Most of Them With an ERP System

Adult teachers sitting in an EdTech conference. Education ERP software helps schools become efficient and focus on their students.

School district leaders understand the value of attending EdTech conferences. These conferences offer resources to help school districts meet their overarching strategic goals. Though sometimes costly and time-consuming, these conferences provide insights into cutting-edge technologies and vetted solution providers. Hearing from industry experts and networking with colleagues from other schools inspire administrators to address their district's unique needs with innovation. 

While EdTech conferences can cut into a district leader's time and resources, they're still vital to helping schools reach their goals. That's why administrators need to plan out their EdTech conference attendance

Careful preparation and coordination are necessary to get the most from these events. Data from your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can help create the most intuitive plan. An ERP solution allows organizations to combine siloed applications and systems to: 

  • streamline operations, 
  • increase organizational efficiency, and 
  • enhance decision-making. 

ERPs can empower district administrators to attend educational conferences with more significant insights. This will ultimately benefit their school and align critical resources with their strategic goals. After all, better data leads to better outcomes.

Introduction to ERP Systems in Education

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have become a vital part of the education sector. They are integrated software solutions designed to manage all administrative tasks of educational institutions, from human resources management to financial management. These systems have revolutionized the way schools, colleges, and universities operate, making them more efficient and effective.

ERP software is used in higher education ERP systems, school administration software, and even in corporate ERP systems. It's an essential tool for managing complex workflows, business processes, and the student life cycle in educational organizations.

Moreover, it can also strengthen financial operations through financial reporting and financial aid management, ensuring that the institution remains financially viable. The ERP system is also a valuable tool for faculty management, ensuring that all staff members are on the same page.

Attend EdTech Conferences With Greater Insights To Benefit Your School

A study by Deloitte revealed that organizations employing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems experienced enhancements in efficiency, decision-making, and scalability. With this in mind, utilizing education ERP software to guide conference attendance can help districts become more efficient and effective in meeting their goals.

EdTech conferences can be overwhelming. Knowing where to focus attention can be tricky with many sessions, speakers, and vendors. School districts likely have specific goals they want to achieve from conference attendance, like addressing teacher burnout or improving student outcomes. Without validating these goals with data, conference attendance becomes scattered and disconnected.

An ERP system helps administrators refine their conference goals with insights into past performance metrics. This information makes spotting areas for improvement much more effortless. Once this happens, administrators can readily analyze data on 

  • student achievement, 
  • teacher performance, and 
  • school efficiency. 

When seeking out viable solutions for their schools, administrators can now prioritize the sessions and vendors that can significantly impact their strategic goals.

ERP Systems Help Strengthen District Strategic Planning And Vision

District leaders often create impactful school-wide initiatives, but they can quickly become "top-down" approaches. When initiatives come from the top, no matter how well-intentioned or evidence-based they are, they can be met with resistance from teachers. Teachers are burnt out and want to feel supported. Educators want a seat at the table regarding decisions directly affecting their autonomy and pedagogy. An ERP system enables administrators to involve key stakeholders in decision-making by providing critical data, building consensus, and delivering positive results.

Here are four ways for districts to use their ERP to build better buy-in and solidify their goals:

1. Re-examine and define strategic goals

Before attending any conferences, define what the district wants to achieve. Schools can use their ERP system to analyze data on performance indicators such as student achievement and teacher performance.

 2. Create a plan for conference attendance

District leaders can develop a plan for attending conferences based on their overarching goals. After generating a report and identifying areas for improvement, match the program's vendors and presentations that best align with these goals. Plan out a specific schedule with questions for available solutions. Identifying sessions and vendors well in advance will ensure you can access insights and resources that best meet your district's needs.

 3. Mine school data to drive decision-making

Before making any purchase decisions, an ERP can help in better understanding resource allocation. An ERP system can determine any overlapping or duplicate resources and current adoption rates amongst staff members. After conferences, school administrators can use their ERP system to analyze the data collection. They can see how well different solution providers match the needs of their schools.

4. Build a community of practice and feedback

The administration can communicate with staff members about their conference attendance beforehand. In doing so, district leaders can receive input on what sessions and vendors would be most valuable to the classroom teachers and building principals. District leaders actively involving teachers and staff in the conference attendance process are more likely to develop a well-rounded and effective plan. Additionally, open communication can reduce resistance and ensure teachers feel supported in decision-making.

Better Data Makes For Better Outcomes. Use Your ERP Solution To Help Your District

School administrators drive change based on the decisions they make. An ERP system helps them make the best decisions for their staff. Attending EdTech conferences is a wise investment for districts looking to improve student achievement and meet their strategic goals. By using an ERP solution to analyze data and make informed decisions, district leaders can maximize the value they receive from these events. This powerful needs-based and cost-saving tool allows administrators to confidently plan their conferences and make informed decisions about implementing new ideas and technology. 


If you're new to Sparkrock 365, dive into our comprehensive guide to learn more about our K-12 optimized solution, built on Microsoft's cloud platform - Business Central. Discover how integrating HR management with finances, payroll, scheduling, and other key features can empower K-12 institutions to thrive. Explore the possibilities today!

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