Smartdesc Newsletter: Charity Leaders Summer Social, how to optimise your IT & more

Welcome to the Smartdesc March newsletter. We are nonprofit IT specialists who enable organisations to deliver more through better use of technology. This month, we are excited to share details of our Charity Leaders Summer Social on Thursday 5 June at Microsoft London. This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know charity peers in…

How to optimise your IT around the Microsoft platform to save costs

As the cost of living crisis continues to impact charities, coupled with rising National Insurance contributions due to take effect in April, reducing spend is more important than ever. One way charities can do this is to consolidate and optimise their IT systems. At Smartdesc, we have a wealth of experience supporting charities with their…

Smartdesc Newsletter: Charity Tech Leaders Survey, PSTN switch off & upcoming roundtables

Welcome to the Smartdesc February newsletter. This month, we’re thrilled to launch our annual Charity Technology Leaders Survey – your opportunity to shape insights for technology leaders in the not-for-profit space, in partnership with Charity IT Leaders. We also feature a useful blog ahead of the PSTN switch off, upcoming charity IT roundtables with Microsoft, and…

The PSTN Switch-Off is Coming: Get Ahead with Modern Connectivity and Microsoft Teams Phone

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off is fast approaching. By 31 January 2027, every phone line in the UK will have moved to a fully digital network that uses Internet Protocol (IP) across a fibre-based service. This will mark the end of traditional copper phone lines and a significant leap towards a fully…

Smartdesc Newsletter: IT strategy guide, cheaper Adobe & efficient device management

Welcome to the Smartdesc January newsletter. At the start of a new year, we feature a useful blog on how to build your IT strategy without being a techie. We also share some exciting new services on offer as part of our partnership with Academia Technology Group, including full device lifecycle management, and cheaper, optimised…

Data Protection for Charities – Demystified – 3 April 2025

*Please note: this event has now reached full capacity* Are you a charity leader navigating the complex landscape of data protection? Join us on Thursday 3 April at Microsoft London for a roundtable discussion on key data protection topics. Gain insights and practical advice to strengthen your organisation’s compliance and safeguard personal data. We will cover…

Smartdesc Newsletter: Dropbox Phishing Attacks, Achieving ISO 27001 & More Charity Roundtables

Welcome to the Smartdesc November newsletter. This month, we share some useful resources on how to avoid recent Dropbox phishing attacks, how to build an IT Strategy without significant in-house expertise, and how we helped the national charity Mind achieve ISO 27001 certification – in case this is something you are considering at your organisation. We…

Cyber Security Roundtable – How to achieve ISO 27001 – 27 February 2025

In today’s digital landscape, charities face increasing cyber security threats that can compromise sensitive data and undermine trust. Achieving ISO 27001 certification can be a game-changer, as the gold standard for information security management, and can help your organisation safeguard its information assets while demonstrating your commitment to security and compliance. Join us for our…