A sector focused best-of-breed CRM from day one.
Made for higher education with unrivalled support.
NOVEMBER, 2025 The University of Warwick has been an Azorus client for over 17 years. The platform is used across multiple audiences, including foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and current students and a myriad of other audiences including, parents, teachers, internal and external colleagues and even the general public.
"We’ve been with Azorus for years because it just works. It was easy to implement, is endlessly flexible, and most importantly, is supported by an incredible team that truly understands higher education."
Richard Harrison - Digital Platform & Channel Manager
Why was Azorus CRM originally chosen?
Way back in 2008 the University was looking for a system that could better manage its large and complex Open Days which were so vital to the student recruitment team. At the same time CRM became an increasingly important consideration, as it would enhance the student experience and help to streamline recruiting activities. At the time there was no CRM expertise or support available on campus, so starting with UG/PG applicants was the initial aim. The speed of setup, the sector experience and the cost were all factors, but the customer service and nature of the client/supplier relationship from day one was, and remains a huge factor.
How quickly can Azorus be implemented?
The implementation itself was far quicker than the procurement process! Even now, whenever Warwick requests new functionality, integrations, or updates, the response time from the team at Azorus is absolutely exemplary.
Why not choose a large enterprise system such as D365?
Implementing a system like Microsoft Dynamics at a university of Warwick’s size demands a significant investment of finances, time, and personnel. Azorus delivers the same capabilities for marketing, student recruitment, conversion, and ongoing communication but with only a fraction of the effort and cost.
Unlike enterprise systems that rely on central IT support, Azorus is flexible, responsive, and incredibly easy to use. Importantly, our IT department have virtually zero involvement with Azorus which is a massive benefit for them. At Warwick, just two staff members manage the platform effectively, proving that powerful results don’t have to come with a heavy resource burden or huge costs.
Why has the University of Warwick continued with Azorus for so long?
It is very simple actually. The University must reevaluate the CRM platform every 2 years, so this has been done many times in the last 17 years. Every time we go through this process, Azorus is by far and away the best value, and most feature-packed system for Warwick’s needs.
What advice should other institutions consider when selecting a CRM system?
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Find other HEIs that use the platform and approach them directly for a reference. You can’t always trust a ‘salesman’ from the supplier, although with Azorus this isn’t the case.
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Know from the very start what you want the system to do. Asking for functionality down the line that was never in the spec, won’t be easy, possible and/or cheap.
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Consider the service model and the client/supplier relationship and SLAs. You’re going to need support, advice, training and a level of responsiveness. Many suppliers might be ‘too big’ to provide the level you expect, and you need to receive consistent, professional and good-natured support. Azorus does this in spades.
What are some practical tips for successful implementation?
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Set a clear scope for the system’s use, what audiences will you/not be able to support in the first year at least.
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Start small, taking on UG and PG from day one wasn’t easy. Focus on one audience and nail that before moving to the next.
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Tell people what you’re doing and why, but manage expectations, you can’t solve all their issues on day one.
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Any system can only produce accurate segmentation with good data going into it. Understand your data from day one and build with strict naming conventions and enforce them.
What are the strongest aspects of Azorus as your CRM provider?
After 17 years, we’ve come to know the many strengths of Azorus, and there are plenty. The system itself is remarkably flexible, built specifically for higher education, and supported by a team that truly understands our sector, our audiences, and our day-to-day realities. But above all, it’s the customer service that really stands out. The responsiveness, the guidance when needed, and the genuine commitment to helping make all the difference. It’s easily the most valuable part of our partnership.
