Using MuleSoft integrations
to modernise legacy systems.

In less than a year, LSE has fully equipped their team to implement MuleSoft for integrations across a vast log of data systems. With a powerful Centre for Enablement and 3 dedicated teams developed and upscaled, LSE has successfully delivered 6 projects to date.

MuleSoft has proven to be an effective solution for LSE to create efficient data management processes that are both impactful and scalable.

Introduction to LSE

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a globally recognised institution that is renowned for its academic excellence and innovative research contributions. With exceptional programming and a rich history that extends over a century, LSE has consistently maintained its position as a leading institution in higher education.

The challenge

LSE was facing significant challenges in integrating its vast number of different data systems. The current integration of their data was outdated, inefficient, expensive and high risk. Prior development projects had often been based on expediency, rather than best practices, which had resulted in inconsistent approaches and techniques. Any issues were often overlooked until they caused disruptions or failures, leading to underfunding and a poor understanding of how to
address the underlying problems.

Without proper support, LSE’s legacy point-to-point systems had accumulated over time. As a result, there was highly resource-intensive maintenance required that was hindering LSE's larger digital transformation efforts. The lack of a solid integration layer was impeding data exchange and created friction within the institution that was no longer sustainable.

How we made it work

Recognising the critical link between integration and efficient data management, LSE sought a solution which would modernise its legacy integration infrastructure. With roughly around 600 "integrations" in place, they needed to streamline data exchange processes, reduce costs and enhance overall reliability.

LSE kicked off their search by conducting a comprehensive requirements gathering process through stakeholder interviews. The feedback was analysed and categorised, culminating in the identification of functional, non-functional and business change requirements. These were further sorted into sets of issues and drivers which would ultimately be the headwinds for LSE's pilot projects.

As a Certified MuleSoft Implementation and Training Partner, Infomentum stood out to provide a suite of services tailored to LSE's needs.

The decision to work with us was driven by LSE's need for:

• Setup of an iPaas solution.
• Training and knowledge transfer on integration best practices.
• Resourcing and the development of pilot integrations.
• Business change consultancy services.
• Ongoing support and maintenance.

Momentum gained

At the beginning of our partnership, LSE had a limited knowledge of integration platforms like MuleSoft. However, our structured approach tackled and exceeded their expectations, providing vital knowledge on integration processes and best practices.

One of the most critical resources we established was a collaborative Centre for Enablement (C4E). The C4E played a pivotal role in building efficient teams and fostering a culture of learning, which was ultimately an essential cornerstone to achieving delivery success.

Key deliverables achieved

LSE is an exceptional example of how possessing a true belief in best-practices will lead to an open-minded and flexible partnership. The mindset adopted throughout our cross functional team facilitated seamless collaboration, enabling our teams to integrate and balance our resources effectively. The partnership between LSE and Infomentum has resulted in several notable outcomes to date:

• Completion of 3 pilot projects to enhance graduate outcomes, course selections and student records.
• Delivery of 6 projects within 10 months, replacing 4 legacy integrations so far and implementing a total of 38 endpoints.
• Establishment of a Centre for Enablement, fostering MuleSoft learning and skill development within LSE.
• Cost and time savings through improved efficiencies in data reporting, reconciliation and system integration.
• Enhanced data reliability and accessibility through real-time synchronisation across multiple systems.
  
  

What's coming next

Looking ahead, our partnership with LSE will continue to collaborate to tackle their biggest technological hurdles. With the successful scaling from 1 dedicated team to 3 within a short timeframe already, we’re collectively committed to long-term enablement and the modernisation of LSE's integration infrastructure.

A backlog of 300-400 integrations awaits systematic sorting and enablement, positioning LSE to move to the forefront of higher education technology. Our hybrid model of working, in tandem with MuleSoft’s extensive platform, has set the stage for continued success.

By leveraging MuleSoft's integration capabilities and our expertise, LSE has overcome legacy challenges and positioned itself to drive impact and achieve sustainable, scalable results. LSE has created a service that leads their tech teams through the weeds, both providing an efficient system to serving projects that come to the forefront while also modernising the university for the future.