Working with suppliers
Regional ICT Strategy: Goal for 2011
To help VCOs get the best value from ICT suppliers
Key tasks now
- Deliver three workshops per year in the region, such as:
- How to Choose a Database
- How to Brief a Web Designer
- Get the Most from IT Volunteers
What is the problem?
A very rough and ready survey conducted in January 2008 suggested that the majority of VCOs in the south east get their ICT help form two places:
- commercial suppliers
- volunteers
This strand looks at how to help VCOs get the most from their IT suppliers - how to get the best value for their money, how to find the best solution to their needs and how to budget properly.
This includes IT support companies, computer resellers, web deisgners, database builders, training companies and other. A very small number of them are social enterprises but the vast majority are privately owned businesses.
The strand about volunteering looks at how to help VCOs get the most from suppliers who do not sharge for their services.
Once a VCO has decided to spend money on IT the problems can include:
- VCOs don't know what they should be buying
- VCOs don't know where to buy what they want
- VCOs don't know how much to pay for what they want
- VCOs get conflicting advice and don't know who to trust
- Suppliers don't recognise the specific needs of VCOs
- Suppliers are wary of charities because they think they will ask for discounts
- Suppliers can come and go
What is the solution?
Better understanding on both sides:
- VCOs know how to prepare a brief
- Suppliers respond to the needs of the sector
Workshops can be used to bring together:
- VCOs seeking help with buying an IT-related service
- Suppliers of relevant servcies
- People who provide advice to VCOs, such as CVS and other Development Workers.
The workshop would include:
- general advice about typical current solutions
- common sense advice about how to decide what you want and choose someone to deliver it
- an opportunity meet and ask questions of suppliers
The ICT Champion will aim to run three workshops per year, working across the region to reach as many people as possible in the next three years.
