PLEXUS 1, IS-Academia® tool renewal
The goal of PLEXUS 1 is to replace our current “Student Information System (SIS)” tool used to manage students’ academic journey.
However, this replacement poses a significant challenge due to the tool’s complexity. The Information Systems Domain (DSI) is committed to meeting this challenge by implementing it in several stages.
Three main reasons for this change:
- The current tool has complex and time-consuming processes for its users.
- Replacing the tool has become essential to support the growth of the student body and address new educational challenges.
- Due to its technological choices, EPFL opted for other providers.
A detailed analysis of business processes has allowed us to document all educational processes and identify our needs to launch a public tender. Three service providers won the tender by meeting the required functions.
This choice aligns with the IT Department’s vision, which prioritizes a modular platform offering broad functional coverage. This approach helps to avoid the pitfalls of a monolithic ‘all-in-one’ solution, which can be difficult to manage and lacks flexibility.
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Simplicity and fluidity: the new modules are designed to offer simplified processes adapted to users’ needs.
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Time-saving: routine tasks can be carried out more quickly, with less complexity.
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Scalability: the new platform can adapt to future developments while minimizing the accumulation of technical debt.
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Reliability: a modernized tool guarantees stable performance and more efficient technical support.
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Enhanced user experience: interfaces and functionalities are designed to meet the current expectations of teachers, students and administrators.
In short, this transition to a modern platform will enable business processes to be simplified and remain sustainable over time.
All current IS-Academia functionalities will be covered:
- Admission: management of admissions, including EPFL forms and processes.
- Mobility: management of student exchanges between EPFL and other national or international universities.
- JUMP: space dedicated to applications for internships, academic projects (Bachelor’s, Master’s, laboratories, etc.) and student and doctoral assistantship.
- SIS (Student Information System): management of study programs, curricula, courses, registrations and grades.
- Timetabling: schedules for courses and exams, optimized according to the constraints of teachers, students, and available rooms.
This roadmap will be modified according to our Agile work methodology.
It will be adjusted and enriched as the project evolves.
21.10.2025 – Last update
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