Illinois State University needed a better way to manage enterprise applications while competing for top tech talent. Their existing infrastructure wasn’t keeping up, so they turned to AWS.

In this episode, Todd Smoak, Executive Director of Technology Solutions at ISU, shares how the university navigated cloud migration, tackled performance challenges, and optimized PeopleSoft in AWS. With ERPA as a trusted partner, ISU gained the flexibility and automation needed to keep systems running smoothly—even during peak usage like course registration.Todd explains how ERPA’s hands-on support transformed ISU’s IT strategy, freeing their team to focus on innovation instead of infrastructure maintenance. He also highlights key strategies for maximizing uptime, optimizing PeopleSoft, and creating lasting operational efficiency.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The turning point that led ISU to AWS
• How ERPA helped ISU scale and automate critical processes
• The long-term impact of reliable infrastructure on institutional success

Things To Listen For:
(00:00) About Illinois State University
(01:50) Managing enterprise applications
(05:06) Mainframe migration lessons
(08:38) Performance challenges in cloud
(12:24) Choosing AWS and ERPA
(17:14) Scaling PeopleSoft with AWS
(20:47) Automating environment refreshes
(24:53) ERPA’s role in ISU’s team
(29:10) Optimizing PeopleSoft on AWS

Resources:
Connect with the Guest: Todd Smoak
Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com