Welcome to the Smartdesc August newsletter. This month, we share how nonprofits are solving technology resourcing issues with a co-managed approach to IT, including a video case study from WaterAid setting out how they achieved it. Also don’t miss our free charity IT community events – webinars on Subject Access Requests and Microsoft Copilot for…
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Adopting a hybrid model of in-house and outsourced IT allows charities to address challenges with resourcing, removes significant HR overheads, accelerates IT strategy, and mitigates against staff frustration with IT support caused by unplanned absence and changing priorities. In this blog, we explain what co-managed support is, the benefits, and how to ensure you can…
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Subject Access Requests (SARs) can be sensitive, difficult and time-consuming, requiring specialist data protection knowledge. Dealing with SARs is a legal obligation with strict deadlines. They can be especially challenging for charities with limited resources and complex data environments. Join us on Tuesday 22 October at 11am, as we share practical advice on how to…
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Would you like to enjoy networking and drinks with charity peers at the impressive Microsoft Experience Centre? Join us on Thursday 7 November from 3.30 – 6.30pm for our annual Charity Leaders Winter Social, alongside Microsoft Tech for Social Impact. We are excited to be hosting this year’s event at the Microsoft Experience Centre in…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc July newsletter. This month, we share our key takeaways from the insightful 2024 Charity Digital Skills Report. We also feature bespoke IT training, information on our friends Charity IT Leaders, and exciting networking and learning opportunities. Free charity IT resources Inconsistent IT skillsets often cause inefficiencies and a lack of confidence.…
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Over 600 charities responded to this year’s Charity Digital Skills Report. The headline is that it has been “a year when tech use across the sector has evolved, yet overall digital progress remains static”. Leadership teams are listening. 80% of charities now view digital as an organisational priority. However, moving this priority into execution is a…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc June newsletter. This month, we share a new video on how WaterAid tackled their IT resource challenges with a co-managed approach. We also feature a webinar with Charity IT Leaders, exciting events, free Microsoft Cloud Security assessments, and more. Free charity IT resources We are excited to release our video case…
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With the flurry of recent news on cyber attacks, we provide a short summary of the big stories, and what areas charities can look at to address similar threats. Recent news stories Synnovis CEO confirms ransomware attack at London hospitals Reports suggest this was a traditional ransomware attack on a key supplier, Synnovis, within the…
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One Platform, One Partnership: furthering your mission through technology Smartdesc, TES, and Microsoft Tech for Social Impact are teaming up to deliver an exciting 1-day event on how you can utilise Microsoft technology to achieve a complete, powerful toolkit for all your charity’s systems and processes. Join us on 26 September at Microsoft London as…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc May newsletter. In case you missed it in April’s edition, we have released our annual Charity Technology Leaders Report – click here to download. This month, we share our upcoming Charity Summer Social, advice on email best practice, cyber security and data protection training, our new Copilot briefing sessions, and more.…
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