North-West University (NWU), established in 2004, is one of South Africa’s leading research institutions, with campuses in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark. Renowned for its academic excellence and global reach, NWU counts Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, and esteemed academic Mamokgethi Phakeng among its notable alumni.

With its multi-campus structure, NWU had already embraced cloud-based learning tools to connect and empower its students and staff. However, like many growing institutions, it faced challenges along the way, and that’s where Radical Cloud Solutions came in.

Discover how we helped NWU elevate its journey with Google Workspace for Education.

The Challenge: A Growing University with Growing Data

North-West University embraced Google Workspace for Education – Fundamentals to enhance collaboration and drive digital learning across its campuses. This cloud-based suite offered the university an easy, scalable way to support collaboration and digital learning across their campuses.

NWU rolled out Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, an adoption that was quickly and enthusiastically embraced by its student body. But as digital activity soared, so did cloud storage usage. In fact, NWU exceeded its allocated limit by over 50TB, placing the university in breach of its service agreement with Google.

With staff and students relying on uninterrupted access to key tools, the issue needed to be addressed, fast.

NWU reached out to Radical Cloud Solutions, and we quickly got to work.

The Solution: Expertise, Efficiency & Empowerment

First, we helped upgrade a portion of their licenses, ensuring that essential services remained uninterrupted while staying within Google’s usage policies.

Our team provided technical support to identify non-essential and duplicate files, making it easier for the university to manage their data effectively.

Most importantly, we delivered hands-on training to empower NWU staff with the knowledge to continuously monitor and manage their storage, including tips for identifying redundant files and maintaining best practices.

The Result: Smart Storage, Seamless Learning

Thanks to this focused effort, NWU was able to bring their cloud storage under control, and even downgrade back to the Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals edition. With efficient data management processes in place, the university can continue to support world-class learning and research, without the worry of exceeding usage limits.

“Radical Cloud Solutions truly understood our challenges and provided a swift, effective solution. Their expertise in Google Workspace helped us reorganize and streamline our data management, allowing us to continue operating efficiently while staying within the terms of our licensing agreement. We’re grateful for their ongoing support and partnership.” – Martin Dreyer, Technology Manager, North-West University

What is Google Workspace for Education?

Google Workspace for Education is a cloud-based platform designed specifically for schools and universities. It includes a suite of productivity and collaboration tools, all hosted securely online.

There are four editions available: Fundamentals, Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Plus. Each edition offers different features and storage options to suit the needs of diverse institutions.

Some of the key apps include:

• Gmail: School-branded email
• Google Drive: Cloud storage for assignments, lectures, and research
• Google Docs, Sheets & Slides: Real-time collaboration on assignments and research
• Google Meet: Secure video conferencing for virtual classes and meetings
• Google Calendar: Smart scheduling for classes, labs, and events
• Google Classroom: A virtual hub for teaching, learning, and communication between students and educators
• Google Admin Console: Centralised management of users, security, and devices

And there’s more to come, with Google Classroom Tools and advanced learning features continually being added to enhance digital education.

Whether it’s streamlining assignments, improving communication, or making learning more accessible, Google Workspace for Education empowers institutions like NWU to deliver meaningful education in a digital-first world.

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At Radical Cloud Solutions, we believe that technology should support learning, not complicate it. Our team is here to make digital transformation simple, secure, and sustainable for institutions across South Africa.

Need help managing your cloud tools or staying within licensing limits? Let’s talk. Schedule a meeting with one of our team members today: [email protected], and let’s build a better digital future, together.