Located primarily in Victoria, La Trobe University is a leading Australian higher education and research institution and a top 1% university worldwide. The institution serves about 37,000 students and employs 3,200 staff members at campuses in Melbourne (Bundoora and the CBD), Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Shepparton, and Sydney.
To achieve its goals and support its operations, La Trobe University manages an extensive and intricate application and software ecosystem. This includes core systems for student management, learning, collaboration, and back-office enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions such as finance, human resources, payroll and procurement.
A long-term SAP ERP customer, La Trobe University began an ERP modernisation program and elected to move from its existing SAP environment to a more streamlined and updated solution. Its objectives included reducing operational complexity, increasing process efficiency while supporting core educational and research activities.
“Our primary objective was to address specific back-office challenges while modernising our SAP Solutions, without over-investing in a back-end system that could divert resources from the university's core mission of teaching, research, and enhancing the student experience," states Johan Grimbeek, Director of Digital Strategy & Engagement at La Trobe University.
Seeking expert SAP consulting support
La Trobe University sought expert support for its SAP modernisation and chose Invictus Partners for a 12-week engagement based on previous positive experience with the consulting firm. Invictus Partners' flexible model allowed the university to leverage its advisory expertise while maintaining control over project execution.
“Its consultants’ deep knowledge of SAP and existing challenges made them ideal advisory partners for our ERP transformation,” says Grimbeek.
Guiding La Trobe University through SAP modernisation
As a strategic advisor to La Trobe University, Invictus Partners guided the institution through the SAP modernisation business case development and validation. This included a thorough review of SAP’s proposed solution and validation of its alignment with the university’s needs.
“Invictus Partners’ expertise helped us evaluate the proposed investment, ensuring value and alignment with our broader operational and strategic goals,” says Grimbeek.
Invictus Partners helped deliver the modernisation project while applying a milestone-based pricing model that ensured flexibility and cost efficiency through the engagement. Its collaborative approach enabled open communication and shared accountability with the La Trobe University team, while ensuring the institution’s requirements were central to every decision.
Right-sizing the University’s ERP investment
La Trobe University considered that the commercial framework provided by Invictus Partners helped right-size its SAP modernisation business case, freeing up funds for investment in the university's core business. Invictus Partners delivered expert, independent advice to support decision-making on the project.
“Invictus Partners was integral in helping us evaluate and refine the SAP offering, ensuring it aligned with our needs and long-term goals,” says Grimbeek. “Its consultants’ strategic advice enabled us to build a strong business case, delivering efficiencies and insights that will support our strategy for years to come. In addition, its collaborative approach ensured open communication and shared accountability, keeping the university's requirements central to every decision.
“We highly recommend Invictus Partners for any complex transformation initiative.”
