SCIP meets the need for speed at Voluntary Action Within Kent
Staff and volunteers at Voluntary Action Within Kent (VAWK) have a spring in their step since SCIP installed a new server to support their network. The new setup means files are moving at light speed between offices across Kent, replacing an ageing system that had reached snail's pace. Having provided training and other support to VAWK for several years the SCIP tech support team worked closely with VAWK's in-house IT team to bring the specialist skills needed and deliver a cost-effective solution which they can now manage themselves.
VAWK has over 35 staff and volunteers based in offices across Kent, providing specialist advice and support to hundreds of charities and community groups of all sizes. As well as a number of Volunteer Centres VAWK is also home to a computer recycling project called Re, which is based in Rochester and uses volunteers to recycle and sell on computers, as well as reclaiming the scrap.
VAWK logoPeter Nicholls is Finance Manager at VAWK and is delighted with the way SCIP linked with the team at Re to provide a cost-effective solution.
"We're lucky to have an IT company under our wing who can support our staff and volunteers, but they mainly deal with day-to-day problems such as email, file management and Office applications. When it came to giving the server an overhaul we needed outside help and we chose SCIP because of the skills they offer, their competitive price and their reputation in the voluntary sector.
"With their help we re-designed the setup, which had grown organically over several years and was causing all sorts of bottlenecks when sharing databases and other information. SCIP are great at working to a budget and with their help we decided we could also upgrade the internet connections by switching to fibre-optic links.
"SCIP's engineers then spent five days installing and configuring the server setup and have now completed the handover to our local support company. They gave us a very competitive price, the work was great and they've given us the help we need to create a really high quality affordable solution that we can now manage ourselves."
If you think SCIP can help with your IT needs please speak to Andy Fairhall on 01273 234049 or email andrew.fairhall@scip.org.uk
