Is Derbyshire Doing IT? - Final Report, July 2004

Research into the ICT and Information System Needs of VCS Infrastructure Organisations
by Tony Okotie, High Peak CVS

Part 1 - Survey findings: 5. The benefits of IT 6. Resources – an overview 7. Planning strategy     a. IT funding 8. Email and the web 9. Hardware and software – the forgotten elements?     a. PC Provision     b. When it breaks! – replacement policy     c. Purchasing decisions     d. Other Hardware     e. Operating System & Office Software     f. Anti virus software     g. Other Software 10. To network or not? 11. Support and maintenance – the holy grail? 12. Information provision and information management     a. Information workers 13. Databases and centralisation of information     a. Centralisation within the organisation     i. Databases     ii. Shared diaries and calendars     iii. Full integration of client/member information     b. Centralisation across sub-regional local organisations 14. The world of websites     a. Website content and accessibility     b. Website promotion     c. Website needs 15. Training 16. Provision of services and support to client groups 17. Accessibility issues 18. Future needs and technologies

Part 2 - Examples of good practice
19. The circuit riders concept
    a. Hertfordshire partnership project
    b. EnProve IT
    c. Bassetlaw ICT project
20. Volbase in Leicestershire
21. Improving effectiveness and efficiency through new technology
    a. Shared calendars and diaries
    b. Home working
    c. Alternative meeting technologies

Part 3 - Recommended solutions for Derbyshire
22. Formation of an Derbyshire IT steering / sub group of the consortium
23. Addressing the need for a “circuit riders” approach within the county
    a. An IT champion
    b. Technical support project
    c. Peripatetic IT tutor
    d. Website designer
24. Funding for hardware and software
    a. Potential for other funding
25. Building on the work of Information Officers meetings
26. Developing Database standards – feasibility study
27. Joint website
28. Support required through IIP for recommended solutions
29. Next steps and actions
30. Summary

Part 4 - Appendices
ICT questionnaire
EnProve IT – computer recycling
EnProve IT technical support
Workgroup systems for VCS Organisations
Virtual Private Networks for VCS Organisations
Contact details
Glossary of terms