Case Study: North-West University improves user storage mobility with Nextcloud and Collabora Online

North-West University improves user storage mobility with Nextcloud and Collabora Online

North-West University (NWU) faced a significant challenge providing modern, mobile file access to its distributed student and staff body. Their outdated, on-premise mapped network drive solution was cumbersome and inaccessible off-campus, leading users to seek their own consumer-grade alternatives. They required a secure, locally hosted platform that could replace the network drive, sync files for offline work, and offer robust mobile clients.

The university implemented Nextcloud along with Collabora Online for real-time document editing. This solution provided secure, on-premises file access, sync, and share capabilities from any device, meeting user demands for mobility and collaboration while ensuring data remained within national borders. Faculty and students quickly adopted the platform, with the ‘available anywhere’ functionality and seamless sharing becoming the most valued features, significantly improving productivity and collaboration across the organization.

North-West University

Hans Erasmus

Junior Infrastructure Architect