In this episode, we unpack ListEdTech's RFP Trends & Market Priorities – December 2025 Update, an analysis of five years of RFP activity across Higher Education and K–12. Drawing on thousands of procurement records from 2020 to 2025, the report reveals how institutional priorities are evolving as the market moves beyond pandemic-driven urgency.

We explore why K–12 remains highly active in Student Information System modernization, while HigherEd institutions are taking a more cautious approach, focusing on CRM and career readiness solutions. The episode also examines broader market signals pointing to a shift toward long-term stability, security, and back-office optimization heading into 2026, and why RFPs remain one of the most reliable indicators of where institutions are truly committing resources.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we explore Student First, a modern Student Information System founded in 2021 by EdTech veteran David Meek. Built from the ground up to address growing frustration with aging, expensive SIS platforms, Student First takes a clean-slate approach using a modern SaaS architecture with no legacy constraints. Designed specifically for non-traditional institutions such as career colleges, online programs, and globally oriented campuses, the platform emphasizes multilingual and multi-currency support, rapid implementation, and transparent pricing. We discuss how its mobile-first design, adaptive framework, and evergreen upgrades allow institutions to onboard in as little as four months, and why Student First is gaining traction among small to mid-sized institutions seeking agility, lower operational overhead, and student-centric workflows.

The episode image was taken from the Student First website (studentfirst.com).

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

This episode breaks down the key insights from the Instructure Roundtable at EDUCAUSE 2025, where leaders from major universities explored how AI is reshaping higher education. Rather than replacing human interaction, AI is emerging as a catalyst for connection—automating routine tasks so faculty can focus on mentorship and meaningful engagement. We look at shifting student expectations for seamless, digital-first learning, the rise of microcredentials, and how institutions are preparing for a future defined by personalized, lifelong learning. The message is clear: innovation should strengthen the human heart of education.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we unpack the evolving landscape of the North American K-12 Student Information System (SIS) market in 2025—a space marked by both maturity and disruption. While long-time leader PowerSchool continues to dominate with nearly a quarter of the market, competitors like FACTS SIS and Infinite Campus are reshaping regional dynamics and challenging legacy dominance. Behind the scenes, waves of mergers and acquisitions, the rise of AI-driven analytics, and state-level migrations such as North Carolina's shift to Infinite Campus signal a new era of transformation. As growth slows and replacement cycles define strategy, the SIS market is moving beyond compliance toward data-intelligent ecosystems—where interoperability, insight, and innovation will decide who thrives next.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

The K–12 website landscape is transforming fast. Once a fragmented field of niche vendors, the Content Management System (CMS) market has rapidly consolidated — with Finalsite and Apptegy now powering more than 40% of North American school district websites. In this episode, we unpack how this shift is reshaping communication, accessibility, and accountability in education.

From AI-driven automation to the growing demand for ADA and WCAG compliance, we explore the trends that now define platform decisions. Districts are also moving beyond simple web publishing, seeking all-in-one ecosystems that integrate sites, notifications, and parent messaging under a single, unified platform.

Tune in to understand what this consolidation means for schools, vendors, and the future of digital communication in K–12 education.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dig into a four-year analysis of Educause exhibitor data to uncover what's really shaping the future of HigherEd technology. Using vendor kiosk counts and total booth size from 2021 to 2025, ListEdTech's latest research reveals a sector in transition — shifting away from pandemic-driven solutions and returning its attention to core modernization.

We break down the biggest signals in the data: the surge of investment in Hardware, Cloud, and ERP platforms; the ongoing prioritization of Security; and why Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being woven into existing systems rather than emerging as a standalone product category. The findings suggest a maturing market defined by consolidation and strategic scaling, where fewer vendors are commanding larger footprints and competing to anchor expansive technology ecosystems on campus.

Join us as we unpack what these exhibitor trends mean for institutions planning their next tech moves — and for vendors fighting to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we unpack a fascinating analysis from a recent ListEdTech blog post by Justin Ménard, which examines the "early adopters" segment of the Product Adoption Curve in higher education. By tracking twenty institutions that consistently appear among the first to adopt new technologies across thirty product categories, the study identifies a core group of HigherEd's Tech Leaders.

Mostly small- to mid-sized institutions concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, these early adopters play an outsized role in shaping the sector. Their willingness to take risks helps vendors refine new products and sets benchmarks that influence adoption patterns nationwide. We explore who these institutions are, why their behavior matters, and what their leadership reveals about the future of EdTech innovation.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we unpack Anthology's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing—a strategic move aimed at reducing debt and streamlining the company's future. Once known for its aggressive acquisition strategy, Anthology is now reorganizing around its core Blackboard teaching and learning solutions. As part of the restructuring, Ellucian is likely to acquire Anthology's SIS/ERP business, while Encoura should take over its student success units, underscoring the limited overlap between product lines. We explore how years of rapid expansion led to a complex and overlapping portfolio, why financial restructuring became unavoidable, and what this means for current Blackboard customers facing both continuity and uncertainty in the marketplace.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dive into a fresh analysis from ListEdTech that challenges the way we think about market saturation in education technology. Rather than seeing saturation as a static point, this discussion highlights how markets evolve over time — and why tracking both total adoption (X-axis) and new implementations (Y-axis) paints a more accurate picture. We explore the adoption patterns of Conferencing Systems, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and Student Information Systems (SIS) across both K-12 school districts and higher education, using data visualizations to reveal how events like COVID-19 or vendor announcements often drive replacements rather than genuine growth. Finally, we introduce the concept of a "saturation ratio," a new way for institutions and vendors to distinguish between growth and churn, and to better understand where each product category sits in its maturity cycle.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dive into the story of Thesis, a rising force in the Student Information System (SIS) market. Born from Unit4's SIS division in 2021, Thesis has quickly established itself as a cloud-first, SaaS-driven provider focused on the unique needs of small and mid-sized colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and the UK. We explore their flagship solutions (Thesis Student Management and Thesis Elements) and how they're built for speed, simplicity, and compliance. You'll hear how Thesis leverages financial stability, customer-driven innovation, and strong leadership to compete in a crowded market. We also look ahead at their expanding global presence, company culture, and vision for the future of higher education technology. Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.