Kuali Inc. is a Software as a Service (SaaS) company focused on creating software for higher education, developed with significant input from the academic community. Partnering with several hundred higher ed institutions, Kuali offers a range of software, including a no-code forms and workflow, curriculum management, research administration, financial management, and business continuity planning. [1]
History
The inception of the Kuali community can be traced back to 2004 when the Kuali Project was initiated by the University of Hawaii, Indiana University, rSmart, and The National Association of College and University of Business Officers (NACUBO). The project received its initial funding of $2.5 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, providing the initial impetus.
In 2005, recognizing the need for a more structured approach, the Kuali community evolved into a non-profit organization, officially known as the Kuali Foundation. This transition emphasized the community's dedication to serving the specific needs of higher education, "for education, by higher education."
A significant development occurred in August 2014 when the Kuali Foundation announced the launch of its for-profit commercial entity. This marked a transition as Kuali re-licensed and assumed responsibility for the development of the Kuali community software, moving it to the cloud. The shift to the Software-as-a-Service model was well-received. The Kuali foundation considered its mission accomplished and disbanded in 2023, noting the extensive adoption of Kuali software by educational institutions. [2][3]
Products
Kuali Build
A user-friendly, no code tool that allows end-users to create forms and approval workflows securely and centrally, reducing the burden on IT departments.[4][5][6]
Kuali Research
An enterprise-grade software service for grants-management, addressing pre and post-award tasks. It was developed collaboratively by multiple higher education institutions, designed to meet the specific needs of research administrators and academic investigators. [7][8][9]
Kuali Ready
A tool for continuity planning, Kuali Ready helps institutions manage and recover from unexpected disruptions, ensuring the resumption of normal operations. It was initially developed by the University of California Berkeley.[10][11]
Kuali Student
The suite of modules enhances an institution's student information system, with modules that cater to Curriculum Management and Catalog Management.[12][13]
Kuali Financial System
This versatile software is suited for various financial functions, including transactions, budget management, purchasing, payments, capital asset management, and more. It enhances transparency by providing an online history of transactions.[14][15]
