How Upgraded IT Infrastructure Can Empower Charities
Technology contributes to the success of charities through improving productivity and enhancing cybersecurity. The reality is though, that with limited resources and conflicting priorities, the IT infrastructure on which charities depend can be neglected.
To mitigate the challenges and risks that outdated IT systems create, upgrading is crucial. Sharing our expertise in this article, we demonstrate how an upgraded IT infrastructure brings immediate, positive outcomes for charities that facilitate their growth and success.
Challenges of outdated IT infrastructure in charities
The most common issues we come across when working with charities are:
- Old and broken hardware such as laptops and PCs
- Almost obsolete software like operating systems that do not get updates anymore
- No integration between systems and networks
- Cybersecurity risks and data protection concerns
- A lack of collaboration tools
- Barriers to remote and hybrid working for staff and volunteers
- Different people in the organisation using different systems and software to each other
These issues make the everyday administration side of charity work intensely frustrating for the users, not to mention highly risky from a data protection perspective. It also makes onboarding new staff and volunteers, training, and performance management harder. Time lost due to IT downtime (which means when IT stuff doesn’t work) is high and morals are low.
Benefits of upgrading IT infrastructure in charities
When the above problems are addressed, charities start to benefit in a number of ways.
Improved efficiency
Giving everyone access to the same software streamlines administrative tasks and makes collaboration and communication easier. An example of this is when users go from editing, saving, and emailing each other multiple versions of the same Excel spreadsheet, to all able to access and edit it simultaneously in one location, whilst it continuously autosaves.
Another benefit is the ability to automate repetitive processes, including reporting. With everyone using the same platform, analysis is much quicker and can be set up to need less human involvement, freeing up precious time.
Stronger cybersecurity
With a third of charities experiencing cyberattacks and data breaches, cyber hygiene has never been more important. Cybersecurity protects a charity’s finances and the personal data of its clients, donors, and stakeholders. A robust cybersecurity configuration is part of an effective IT infrastructure and is necessary to manage the constant phishing attempts charities are subject to.
Multi-factor authentication, patch management (regular fixing and updating software), and end-user training are common tactics employed by the IT services provider as part of their cybersecurity solution.
Reduced costs
With a Microsoft Partner such as Fuse CS, charities benefit from a charity status discount on licences from Microsoft for Microsoft 365 Business, and Sponsored Azure spend. We often see charities spending much more than they need to on different types of software. When we can consolidate it and apply the discount through Microsoft, it makes it much more cost effective.
Helpdesk support
Upgrading the IT infrastructure of a charity is never truly finished, as ongoing support from an IT services provider ensures that everything is kept up-to-date and secure, continuously adapting to the changing technology and threat landscapes. A fantastic benefit is the remote support helpdesk where our technical experts resolve any IT issues that occur.
Value-added flexibility
After an IT infrastructure upgrade, charities benefit from a level of digital flexibility they haven’t experienced before. With all devices, including smartphones, managed from the cloud, remote and hybrid workers no longer have a different experience to on-site staff. They can access all the same information in the same way and work from anywhere.
Data back up and disaster recovery
Another benefit of migrating to the cloud, which is fundamental to an IT infrastructure upgrade, is that there is no data tied to physical premises. Instead, all data is routinely backed up to the cloud. This ensures that in the event of disasters, such as a successful ransomware attack, the data can be recovered with minimal disruption.
Increased confidence, reduced stress
Finally, one of the best benefits of upgrading, is that the streamlined technology is easier to use and less frustrating for employees and volunteers. Throughout the process and as part of the ongoing support, we facilitate the growth of knowledge and skills, empowering everyone to feel more at ease and confident with their IT systems.
Charity IT infrastructure upgrade case study
For several years we’ve supported the Northamptonshire division of beloved charity Age UK. We started by migrating all their IT systems to the cloud, introducing Microsoft 365 and Azure solutions, and improving data security with multi-factor authentication and encryption tools. As part of the project we replaced the outdated hardware, streamlined document access via SharePoint and OneDrive, and enhanced efficiency with managed devices and remote desktop services. The staff and volunteers found that the upgrades reduced downtime, increased data accessibility, and empowered them through training and self-service tools.
We’re honoured to have this testimonial from the Finance Director Heather:
“We have worked with Fuse for a number of years; they provide all of our IT support. This has proved very successful and efficient for us.”
Read the rest of the testimonial and Northamptonshire Age UK case study in full.
Upgrading the IT infrastructure of a charity has a transformative impact and enables staff and volunteers to focus on their work and service users, whilst reaping the benefits of a secure and efficient IT set-up.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact us, we’re happy to answer your questions with no obligations.
About the author
Fuse is a Microsoft Partner, based in Northampton. We help organisations of all sizes to maximise IT efficiencies through the use of Microsoft cloud computing solutions.
