Cloud-Based Systems Increase Access, Stability, and Security
Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) is working toward their mission to build community by providing and promoting programs, services, and activities aimed at connecting neighbors and fostering civic involvement. PNA oversees a variety of programs including an active community center, a senior center, three pre-school co-ops, and a hot meal program. PNA also provides a wide variety of classes, events, and educational opportunities to bring together neighbors, business owners, and friends of the Phinney, Greenwood, and Ballard neighborhoods, and beyond.
PNA came to NPower with an outdated server that needed replacing, a recent technology assessment with prioritized projects, and a new Executive Director that was ready to bring their technology up to speed. Having worked with NPower on a database project in years past, PNA once again turned to our team to help shepherd the necessary technology upgrades.
“Working with NPower as a technology consultant is different because [NPower] is a nonprofit as well. It’s nice to work with someone that faces the same internal struggles we do.”
-Crystal Cheairs, Membership Coordinator and IT Support
The Challenge
- PNA had been working with an independent technology consultant, but that person was no longer available to support their systems.
- PNA’s tech support responsibilities had fallen to their Membership Coordinator. As the “accidental techie,” she was struggling to manage large-scale technology maintenance in addition to the demands of her other role at PNA.
- Their old server was running outdated software and had run out of storage space. On more than one occasion, staff had to conduct “emergency” deletions of old files and mailboxes to make room to store new items.
- A thorough technology assessment had been conducted by a generous volunteer with a background in corporate IT support. The assessment resulted in a recommendation to move more of their systems to the cloud, and PNA’s new Executive Director was ready to prioritize a technology upgrade to ensure efficient and secure operations.
The Solution
- NPower consultants agreed with the recommendations in the technology assessment and transitioned PNA to Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Standard Suite (BPOS), a suite of cloud-based online messaging and collaboration tools.
- Working through their prioritized list of technology-related projects, NPower systematically replaced PNA’s server and workstations, providing support through the entire data migration process.
- PNA has retained NPower for ongoing IT support to ensure that their systems continue to run smoothly and that they have experts to turn to when problems arise.
The Impact
- Having web-based systems means that PNA staff can access email, calendars, and documents from outside of the office, making it easier than ever to work offsite.
- Their new server and computers give PNA staff access to software that is up-to-date, stable, and secure, enabling them to work efficiently without worrying about having enough space to store their documents.
- NPower recently replaced the computers in PNA’s community technology center, giving members of the Phinney and Greenwood neighborhoods access to a state-of-the-art computing center.
- PNA sites are now visited monthly by an NPower consultant and PNA staff have peace of mind knowing that a technology expert is monitoring their systems and anticipating their future needs.
