Digital Futures: Delivering Professional Services in 2020, 2025 and 2030

In 2020

• The increasing move towards cloud-based systems and open application programme interfaces (APIs) increases interoperability between systems, reducing the need for duplication of information and effort, and reducing the risk of inaccurate or out of date information.
• Data intelligence emerges in more sophisticated forms for us to extract and manipulate information and insights to inform key business decisions.
• Digital technologies reduce time spent delivering tasks that don't make best use of staff time (such as data handling) and expertise. In turn, staff skills and strengths become better utilised, focusing more on managerial and strategic tasks, instead of processes.

In 2025

• Adoption of universal alternative currencies, such as cryptocurrencies, enables easier transactions across international boundaries,  reducing impact of exchange rates and inflation on the business of running a global university.
• Artificial intelligence combined with big data provides real-time reporting and easier manipulation and interpretation of data across all business and operational services. Early warning systems are established to forecast potential issues or opportunities. This may include staff and student performance reporting, ensuring the right support is offered at the right time before issues escalate.
• Thanks to cloud computing and enhanced global internet connectivity, professional services are less location-dependent. Staff are increasingly home-based or work in alternative locations, connected through powerful virtual communities online.
• Information and communication management systems become more integrated, seamless, and personalised to the individual needs of the user. Staff efficiencies are increased through a reduction in time spent searching for information.

In 2030

• Intelligent systems are embedded for automated opportunity matching. Student admissions benefits from the use of big data on students to determine their best "fit" with the institution in a way that transcends academic achievement alone. Prospective staff are automatically (virtually) profile assessed using big data intelligence to determine their suitability as a candidate for job vacancies.
• Global data networks across higher education institutions around the world are used to automate how collaborators and funders are matched, connected, and assessed for potential impact, and to identify opportunities for potential networks and partnerships to be developed.
• As staff and students develop a more modular approach to relationships with universities, curating their careers and learning experiences with multiple providers or employers, digital technologies connect better between institutions around the world to manage the ever-complex system of transactions and information management relating to how individuals move between different institutions.