You do not need to be a qualified accountant to offer financial support and you do not need a great deal of technical knowledge to help organizations to manage their ICT better.

Open Office is a free suite of tools that copies many of the functions of Microsoft Office. Open Office has been under development for more than 10 years and can run on Windows, Apple’s OSX, and Linux.

It is possible to use your connection to the internet to make telephone calls to other people, including calls to landlines and mobile phones. Once you’ve paid for your internet connection it may not cost any extra to make the calls, so you can save money on domestic and international calls.It is also possible to [...]

‘Old’ media, such as newspapers and TV, is mainly about other people publishing information using expertise and tools that we can’t afford. ‘New’ media uses more accessible tools such as broadband connections and mobile phones and is creating a more interactive and participative culture. Web 2.0 is not a technical specification but suggests that we [...]

ICT consultants can deliver a database or website, or help with planning, fundraising, a merger or a new community building. They will bring specialist expertise and offer an outsider’s perspective. They may also help with ongoing needs, such as IT support.

Always work with colleagues to prepare a brief.
Be realistic about budgets, timescales and the [...]

You need enough money to buy, install, maintain and use the right solution for you. This requires capital as well as revenue budgets – like buying a car and budgeting for petrol, insurance, an MOT or driving lessons.

Work with other people in your organisation to write an ICT plan. Think about where you are now, what ICT equipment and skills you have, what you think of it, how much it costs and common problems and limitations. Think about what you want to achieve in the next three years, whether budgets will grow [...]

Sales of new IT equipment are often driven by the demands of new software, especially system software such as new versions of Windows™. At the same time ICT prices have dropped to levels at which it is often cheaper to replace than to repair or re-use equipment.

You can pay-as-you-go by the hour or take out a contract. What you pay depends on what you need, the supplier, the number of computers you have, the level of support offered, your own capabilities and your location.

Online information such as the ICT Knowledgebase is a great resource but sometimes a book is better. User-friendly options such as Dummies Guides are handy as a reference, as well as for learning new skills.

An ICT plan is not simply a shopping list for new boxes, gadgets and wires. It is a management tool to take you beyond the initial purchasing decisions to an ongoing process that makes sure you get the most from your investment. An ICT plan will include: