Getting the Most Out of Your IT Set Up

As a not for profit organisation, you will have lots on your mind. There are endless donor lists, causes, campaigns to be planned and much work to be done. All of this naturally needs the backing of a sound IT set up and, for this, good IT Support is absolutely essential. Most small, not for profit organisations feel that this is something they can easily work around. Hiring a part time IT professional, who may not be all that qualified, is what most places resort to; however, in the long run, this is not a good idea.

When setting up a not for profit organisation it would be a good idea to start up strong. This way you will not have issues going forward. Rather than visit discount sales for hardware, speak to suppliers and see if they can give you quality products for a good price. This way you know you have good computers and hardware to begin with, remember the total cost of ownership is the primary consideration, the investment in getting equipment setup to your specific needs can be more valuable than the cost of the actual hardware - reliable hardware is cheaper in the long run.

When it comes to IT Support, it would be a good idea to hire a professional who knows what they are doing. Don't be fooled by a slick image, look for someone qualified and with experience working in the not for profit sector.. Have them come and look at your organisation and recommend the best way of maintaining the equipment.

You could also consider hiring managed service providers or MSPs. These are computer professionals who take on managing your IT as their responsibility. This means you do not need to train your own staff. They are readily available, around the clock if necessary, and can fix any problems that you may have.

In choosing an IT service provider you will need someone who understands the requirements of the not for profit, such as funding, privacy and compliance. A provider with a portfolio of not for profit clients will have vast experience with the related applications such as DHS systems, donation and fund raising software, accounting system and accessing discount opportunities relevant to your sector.

There can be several problems in not having a good IT set up in place. It can cause glitches in your fund raising campaigns. It can prevent you from being organised in your approach as well as the dispersion of funds. It can make simple correspondence, which is integral to the not for profit organisation quite the task. Being smart about your IT management is the key

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