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10 Technology Resolutions for Nonprofits

  1. Start budgeting for next year - you can start with the "easy" win - review the age of your workstations and servers, and budget to replace any that are 3 years or older. If you can't replace all of them, shoot for replacing a third in 2007, another third in 2008 and so on. The total cost of aging hardware is high - you'll spend the money or the time one way or the other.
  2. Recycle those old machines - you can take them to the good folks at www.interconnection.org, and they'll recycle and put them to good use!
  3. Double-check your backup solution and make sure that you have an offsite copy - and that you can actually restore your data - make sure that 2007 is the year where you DON'T lose any data!
  4. Help your team use technology more effectively. Training comes in all shapes and sizes - NPower Seattle offers public and private training as well as private coaching. LOTS of information available via the NPower Seattle website.
  5. Update your electronic content regularly. Don't forget that you can update your website, send an e-newsletter, post a blog entry - 2007 would be a good time to start thinking about making sure that ALL of your content is available via your website - in one form or another!
  6. Start thinking about implementing a Stable and Secure technology environment. In 2007, NPower Seattle will help establish benchmarks and help you measure - so you'll be ready to move to a new level of stability and security!
  7. Review your key data tracking needs - financial, donors, customers, clients, stake-holders. If you're using multiple systems, aren't confident about your data, have to repeatedly enter the same information - 2007 is the year to consolidate!
  8. Update, Update, Update! That's right - there is enough mal-ware out there these days, that being tardy with important security and virus patches can compromise your security. If you use Microsoft products, subscribe to their update service. If you have a server, though - make sure that you only install updates with the help of your server expert! If you are using Symantec, MacAfee or another provider - make sure you subscribe to those updates, too!
  9. Document your technology. Make sure you have a list of your hardware and software (including license keys!) copies of your media, a list of who hosts your website, provides you with internet access, hosts your email - and the associated phone numbers so you can be in touch as needed.
  10. Don't forget the low-cost stuff. Make sure you visit Tech Soup and Idealware regularly to stay up to date on software and hardware donations, reviews, tips and tricks!