Client Background

• Industry: Tertiary Education Institution

• Overview: One of New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing tertiary education institutions sought to enhance student experiences and operational efficiency through a coordinated portfolio of technology-driven initiatives as part of its rapidly expanding digital agenda.

The Challenge

A leading tertiary education institution had an ambitious roadmap involving:

• Major overhauls in Student Management Systems and Online Learning Platforms

• Investments in data, integration, and Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Launch of new digital initiatives like the Digital Screen Campus

• Upgrades to critical digital channels, including Web and Mobile

• Compliance improvements in cybersecurity, privacy, and solution governance

Despite this, the institution’s architectural function was immature, comprising mostly contractors with limited strategic oversight or consistency. The risk was a fragmented digital transformation that lacked alignment with business goals, potentially leading to inefficiencies, delays, and governance gaps.

The Solution

Cyma approached the engagement with a long-term, enterprise architecture mindset:

Enterprise Architecture Delivery:

• Provided solution and domain architects for major initiatives.

• Delivered business architecture support for Digital Screen Campus, IAM, and facilities planning.

• Led cloud infrastructure design (Azure Landing Zones, hub-and-spoke architecture).

• Drove data and event-driven integration models.

Practice Development:

• Created a unified Confluence Wiki and knowledge base.

• Established a Solution Architecture Document template.

• Rationalised storage and documentation systems aligned to the CAUDIT capability model.

Flexible Resourcing Model:

• A Cyma Service Delivery Manager managed logistics, freeing institutional leaders to focus on strategy.

• Enabled scalable, agile resourcing, moving talent fluidly between initiatives as needed.

Measurable Results

Quantitative Results: 

Delivered numerous successful project outcomes, including:

• Online learning platform

• Work Integrated Learning

• TimeEdit integration

• Chatbot on SharePoint

• Implementation of major cloud and integration frameworks

• Production of formal enterprise and event data models

Qualitative Results: 

• Elevated architecture maturity across the organisation

• Fostered team cohesion across contractors, vendors, and staff

• Improved alignment of architecture initiatives to business strategy

• Provided a repeatable and scalable architecture service model

• Empowered internal teams with tools and frameworks for sustained success

Cyma’s Value Proposition 

Cyma simplified a complex transformation landscape by delivering a cohesive architectural practice that bridged business and digital goals. Through strategic foresight, agile delivery, and architectural excellence, Cyma helped modernise systems and elevate digital capabilities, demonstrating what true business transformation looks like in practice.