As the enterprise technology landscape becomes ever more complicated, non-profit leaders are under increasing pressure to align computing solutions with their operational goals. Choosing, implementing, and maintaining the right technology is crucial for achieving that and, although every organization has unique needs, there are some tools that everyone can benefit from. Here are five of them:
#1. Internet Telephony
The trusty old landline phone has served businesses and individuals well for over a hundred years, but its days are numbered as subscriptions fall in favor of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Rather than relying on landlines for their day-to-day communications, many organizations are now reaping the benefits of increased accessibility, mobility, and performance provided by internet telephony.
VoIP allows you to enjoy cheaper calls, automated attendants, call forwarding, and in-call coaching. Better still, a cloud-hosted system enables you to take advantage of unlimited scalability for a predictable monthly rate.
#2. Managed Services
You’re busy trying to run your business, while employees and volunteers are working overtime to accomplish your mission. Chances are, they have neither the time nor the skills to worry constantly about IT issues. Managed services make sense for non-profit organizations, since they allow you to outsource the maintenance of your entire technology infrastructure.
At the most basic level, managed services provide round-the-clock monitoring, which keeps your systems and data safe from suspicious activity. They’ll also give you support whenever you need it.
#3. Technology Consulting
No one knows your organization and its needs better than you do, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to get technology working for, rather than against, you. Non-profit organizations have a specific set of needs when it comes to technology, especially when it comes to empowering volunteers out in the field. IT consultants combine their business and IT expertise to help you select and implement the right solutions for your company and budget.
#4. Business Continuity
Nonprofits face many of the same technology challenges as regular businesses do. There’s always the looming risk of a data breach, a system failure or natural disaster to think about, which is why you need to be prepared for any eventuality. But if maintaining your own redundant data center in an off-site location isn’t an option, it may make more sense to back up your data in the cloud. Cloud-hosted disaster recovery and business continuity helps ensure you’ll get up and running again in short order.
#5. Cloud Computing
Many nonprofit organizations routinely work with volunteers out in the field or with people who are working from home or on the move. After all, the days of being stuck behind an office desk are rapidly disappearing even for nonprofits. This also requires a location-independent computing infrastructure, in which the team can work using their mobile devices no matter where they are.
Using cloud technologies means you can store all your apps and data on the web, allowing you to access them from any device.
With more than 30 years of experience helping nonprofit organizations in Toronto do more with technology, XBASE offers the expertise and solutions you need to further your mission. Call us today to organize a consultation.