About The University
Organisation type
University
Challenges solved
- Consolidated disconnected systems into one integrated platform.
- Overcame inefficiencies from the lack of integration between systems.
- Reduced administrative load and streamlined support requests by centralising operations.
Client since
2017
Size of operation
- 629 beds
Product suites
- Student Accommodation Management
- Conferencing & Events Management
- Residential Management
- Payments Management
What makes Fitzwilliam College Unique?
Only college in Cambridge with a resident professional string quartet established in 1968.
Founded in 1869 as Fitzwilliam Hall to support students from less privileged/represented backgrounds
Introduction
Fitzwilliam College, part of the University of Cambridge, had already experienced the benefits of Kinetic’s solutions through their use of the commercial product suite. Building on this success, their team decided to adopt KxStudent for student accommodation management. This move has streamlined their processes, enhanced operational efficiency, and freed up time to focus on delivering the best possible student experience.
“The transition to KxStudent has been a game-changer. We’ve eliminated the trouble of juggling multiple systems and now operate with a single, seamless platform that streamlines our operations and empowers our teams to focus on what matters. It’s a dream compared to our previous system: it’s user-friendly, intuitive, and offers significantly more functionality.”
Dean Osborn
Accommodation Officer
The Need for a New Solution
Before adopting Kinetic, Fitzwilliam College was facing inefficiencies due to the disconnected nature of their two systems. Dean Osborn shared:
“Because we were using two systems before, the issues surrounding those systems not talking to each other were significant. Moving to one system with unified support made perfect sense.”
Fitzwilliam’s previous systems lacked seamless integration, leading to delays and communication breakdowns. These inefficiencies impacted staff productivity and the overall user experience. Dean emphasised the importance of the move to Kinetic’s integrated platform:
“Moving onto one system with one support package was key. It gave us one team of people to contact for any problems or issues. For me, that was the main reason we shifted.”
The New Approach: Simplified Operations
Since the College already used Kinetic’s solutions for their commercial operations, the shift to KxStudent for student accommodation management provided Fitzwilliam College with a streamlined, centralised platform that enabled efficient management of both sides of their business operations. The transition to a single platform eliminated many of the challenges the College was facing with their fragmented systems. Dean shared:
“Once we saw the capability of KxStudent by Kinetic, we were impressed. The system seemed to fit perfectly with our needs. Having one system for everything made life much easier for everyone involved.”
By centralising both residential and conferencing operations, Fitzwilliam College improved collaboration and data sharing across departments. With real-time updates, the College’s teams could now access up-to-date information, reducing errors and saving time.
The Kinetic Solution
The implementation of KxStudent revolutionised how Fitzwilliam College managed their accommodation operations:
- Automation and Accuracy:
Processes like invoicing, which were once time-consuming and prone to error, are now automated and accurate. Dean shared, “There’s no scope for incorrect charging anymore. Everything is processed quicker and more reliably.”
- Intuitive Functionality:
KxStudent’s intuitive interface and user-friendly features, such as colour-coded information, have made tasks like tracking student progress and chasing payments easier and more efficient. “Our previous software required accessing multiple systems, making processes inefficient. With KxStudent, everything is in one place—fast, professional, and polished. It’s a user-friendly system honed over the years through customer feedback, saving our team significant time,” said Dean.
- Streamlined Information Access:
The ability to access critical information at a glance has saved time and reduced stress for staff, enabling them to focus on enhancing the student experience.
Enhanced Focus on Student Experience
Adopting KxStudent has allowed Fitzwilliam College to redirect its efforts from manual, day-to-day administrative tasks to enriching the student experience. With the automation of repetitive processes and improved accuracy, the team can now dedicate more to student support, ensuring a positive and seamless experience throughout their time at the College. As Dean Osborn explained:
“It’s allowed us to focus more on our students rather than the manual work behind the scenes.”
The adoption of KxStudent has empowered Fitzwilliam College to operate more efficiently and focus on delivering exceptional experiences for their students. With automation, intuitive tools, and seamless integration, the college has not only optimised their operations but also enhanced its ability to support its community.
As Dean summed up, “KxStudent has been transformational for us. Everything is aligned, automated, and intuitive, and we can now dedicate more time to what matters—our students.”
If you’d like to learn more about how KxStudent can transform your institution’s operational efficiency and student experience, please get in touch with the Customer Experience Team. We’d be happy to assist you.