Affordable, on-demand access to technology expertise tailored to the needs of academia.
Reduce technology costs, optimize technology utilization, and align IT strategy to your institution’s goals.
Unlock the potential of high-level technology expertise without the cost of a full-time CIO. At Automata Technology Services, our fractional CIOs bring unparalleled experience and insight to elevate your institution's technology strategy. We shape innovative technology solutions, optimize IT operations, manage complex projects, and ensure alignment with your institution’s goals. Experience the benefits of top-tier technology leadership tailored to your unique needs and budget.
Education-Focused IT Leadership on Demand
Drew Smith Fractional CIO
Our team has years of executive experience in education — in both public and proprietary / for-profit sectors. From traditional strategic planning and budgeting to campus modernization and classroom innovation — we have been on the forefront of delivering solutions that transform academic institutions and delight students, faculty, and staff.
FAQs
-
A Fractional CIO (Chief Information Officer) is a part-time or temporary IT executive who provides strategic leadership and expert guidance on technology initiatives. This allows schools to access high-level IT expertise without the cost of a full-time executive.
-
Fractional CIO services are ideal for schools that need strategic IT leadership but may not have the budget for a full-time CIO. They are perfect for managing technology transitions, optimizing existing systems, and ensuring your institution stays ahead in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
-
Our Fractional CIO team possesses extensive expertise in areas such as IT strategy, cybersecurity, data management, network infrastructure, cloud computing, and educational technology integration. They bring years of experience working with education institutions of all sizes.
-
You can expect comprehensive support, including strategic planning, technology assessments, project management, vendor negotiations, and staff training. Our team works closely with your institution to ensure your IT systems are efficient, secure, and aligned with your educational goals.
-
The cost of a Fractional CIO varies based on the specific needs and scope of services required by your institution. We offer flexible pricing models designed to fit various budgets, ensuring you receive maximum value and expert support without the expense of a full-time hire. Contact us for a free consultation and we can discuss your needs and how we can best assist you.
OUR PROJECTS
1:1 iPAD ROLLOUT
-
Deployed over 35k Apple iPad devices to students and faculty across 28 for-profit colleges. Completely transforming the way education was delivered and providing cutting edge resources to every student. The project was delivered in under 2 years from concept through full rollout. We assisted in every aspect of the solution delivery including financial modeling, procurement, inventory management, training, and technology infrastructure/support.
LAB STANDARDIZATION
-
A project delivered for a for-profit college chain with over 50 locations nation-wide struggling with IT spending that was out of control. After the initial assessment it was discovered that IT service outcomes varied greatly from location-to-location and gaps in IT service delivery were frustrating students and faculty. In just over a year we were able to apply sound IT Governance principles to standardize the classroom technology infrastructure, desktop workstations, and software catalog across all locations to eliminate student complaints, simplify classroom technology support, and lower annual software licensing costs.
SIS MIGRATION
-
Assisted a public community college with the migration from Ellucian PowerCampus to CampusCloud SIS including data migration, training, system configuration / customization, and after-cut support. The project was delivered in just under six months and provided enhanced records management, online registration, cloud hosted infrastructure, and increased system performance/reliability/stability.
IT STAFFING RE-ORG
-
Conducted a major staffing restructure at a for-profit college with multiple locations across the country. Upon applying the new organizational structure they were able to better direct IT staff in their day-to-day duties, share technology expertise across the enterprise, and refocus IT staff on proactive customer-focused support tasks. We saved the organization over $2 million per year and transformed their IT service operation.
IT SERVICE DESK
-
Completely migrated a growing public community college from a third-party managed services help desk to an in-house IT support desk solution. The project was delivered with-in three months and included the onboarding of seven full-time dedicated support staff, a cloud based ticket system (ZohoDesk), live chat, voice, email, web portal, and remote access capabilities. We were involved in all aspects of solution delivery including hiring & training staff, configuration/customization of ZohoDesk, and the development of the IT Service Catalog, Knowledge Base, and escalation procedure.
ENROLLMENT DASHBOARD
-
Engaged with a public college that had recently severed its relationship with an Online Program Management (OPM) provider. Assisted with the development of their own in-house enrollment pipeline, ensuring that all required tasks were completed and the applicant stayed on-track to start school. Delivered in under three months, this project consisted of process design, communication plans, automation tools, and reporting dashboards that provided key insight to leadership leading to increasing enrollment activity by ten-fold.
Our Services
Fractional CIO services that align IT strategy around specific academic goals including reducing risk, optimizing technology investment, improving learning outcomes, and increasing enrollment and retention.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Empower your institution with a customized strategic vision that aligns technology with educational goals, ensuring future-ready investments that drive success.
IT OPEX & CAPEX BUDGETS
Maximize your technology ROI with expert IT budget analysis, eliminating waste and optimizing spending to enhance efficiency and achieve financial objectives.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Transform your IT landscape with comprehensive technology assessments that identify gaps and recommend solutions for improved system performance, security and user productivity.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Achieve seamless, reliable IT operations that support your educational mission through our commitment to operational excellence, streamlining processes for maximum efficiency.
PROJECT DELIVERY
Ensure successful IT project outcomes with expert project management services that guarantee timely, budget-conscious, and high-quality implementations.
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Unify your IT environment with system integration services, enhancing data flow, collaboration, and operational efficiency for a more connected and productive institution.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our professional development IT mentorship programs focus on coaching and nurturing the next generation of IT leaders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to drive your institution's technology initiatives forward.
IT GOVERNANCE
Standardize and secure your IT infrastructure with robust governance services that ensure consistency, reduce risks, and enhance efficiency across your entire institution.
INTERIM IT EXECUTIVE
Navigate periods of rapid change and leadership transitions with confidence by leveraging our interim CIO services. Ideal for schools facing unexpected leadership gaps, our fractional CIOs bring stability and strategic direction, ensuring seamless continuity and driving successful outcomes during critical phases.
Are Fractional CIO services right for your institution?
Let’s have a conversation.
Fill out the form and we will reach out to you in 1-2 business days to schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation where we will review your institution’s challenges and discuss some opportunities.