Moving from CAPEX to OPEX: Are You Ready?

Adequate funding for IT has been on the EDUCAUSE top 10 IT issues list for the past five years or more. One way to mitigate this issue is to shift from a capital expense cycle (CAPEX) to an operational expense cycle (OPEX); however, this could have unintended consequences, including an impact on student fees, if not handled carefully. Shifting the model is easier said than done and requires a close working relationship with other institutional leaders, such as the chief financial officer and possibly the legislature or the board. Through group discussion, we will explore the viability of a shift like this, how it might occur, how the cloud influences the process, who should be involved, what challenges might arise, and what factors should be considered.

Outcomes: Identify ideas about how to move from a CAPEX to an OPEX funding model * Gain an understanding of the associated challenges * Review suggestions on whom to engage in the process