Roles, Services and Work Plan of the Information Technology Resource Centre John Fung The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Information Technology Resource Centre

IT Development in Social Service Sector: opportunities for NGOs to enhance service / administration SWD to improve overall productivity of the sector HKCSS to provide a tangible service for member organizations IT Business Sector to make money and do good simultaneously Information Technology Resource Centre

IT Development in Social Service Sector: need for NGOs to make wise decisions so as to acquire best possible IT solutions SWD to take the lead in IT development and ensure proper use of IT investment HKCSS to establish a dedicated, quality IT team to serve member agencies IT Business Sector to market and provide their services cost effectively Information Technology Resource Centre

Why ITRC? An ALL-WIN mechanism for NGOs SWD HKCSS Business Sector and indirectly, all the clients we serve Information Technology Resource Centre

Mission Promote effective use of IT in sector via Research & Development Capacity Building Special IT related Projects Providing quality IT solutions (products and services) for NGOs at bench marking prices Information Technology Resource Centre

Finance of ITRC Income 1: Lotteries Fund Projects Income 2: Part of HKCSS Subvention Income 3: Service Charge from NGOs Target: be self-financed by June 2004 when Lotteries Fund ceases to cover most of the expenditure

Research and Development - some examples Web Accessibility Research (EOC) Web Accessibility Survey of NGOs websites Application of text-to-speech technology Application of e-learning Application of positioning technology Financial / HRM package evaluation Social Service Knowledge Network Video conferencing for admin / service Information Technology Resource Centre

Capacity Building - some examples Friends of ITRC - Free electronic newsletter Free seminars and exhibitions (e.g. new products, virus, trouble shooting) Free training courses (e.g. LAN,Database,Web, coming up: Project Management) Free on-site talks and sharings on request Coming up: Free Guided Tours to IT-Expo Coming up: HUSITA conference Aug 2003 Information Technology Resource Centre

Special Projects Compuaid - Recycling old computers for elderly and people with disabilities Social Welfare Information Kit - On Line (special features: DSS in digital map) Web Care - Unified, accredited training curriculum and voluntary trainers for disadvantage groups Placements for VTC students Information Technology Resource Centre

Products and Services IT Supplies Internet Services Technical Support and Servicing System Consultation System Development Project Management Information Technology Resource Centre

IT Supplies Hardware: Personal Computers, Notebooks, LCDs, Scanners, PDAs, Printers, Toners and other peripherals Software: Most popular general applications & a range of specialized packages e.g. statistical, library, membership, accounting, games Carrying about 1000 different products Collective Bargaining -> Bench-Marking -> Savings for the whole sector Information Technology Resource Centre

Internet Services Domain Name Registration Service Web Design and Implementation Web Content Development / Maintenance Web Hosting/ (1st class Data Centre) Bandwidth of various capacity ( Dial-up, Leased Line, Broadband, VPN ) Free hosting for short period projects Information Technology Resource Centre

Technical Support and Servicing Free Support Hotline Free On-line support On-site Support / Maintenance (ad hoc) On-site Support / Maintenance (regular) On-site tailored training Support to technical staff in NGOs Network design and implementation Backup and Disaster Recovery Information Technology Resource Centre

System Consultation IT Strategy for Agency IT Management & Policy Software Assets Management Advice Knowledge Management Advice Conceiving IT Projects Assistance in Proposal Writing (Un)Fortunately these are all Free Information Technology Resource Centre

System Development Wide range of type and size Group of or Single NGO Include training, maintenance and documentation Charged at cost of development 12 products open to NGOs and a few internal products for use in HKCSS Information Technology Resource Centre

Project Management Project Range (Development, Procurement, H/W, S/W, mixed) Project Size ($x,xxx - $x,xxx,xxx) Project Phase (Whole or Partial) e.g. Writing Project Brief e.g. Vendor Selection e.g. Design and Conduct Acceptance Tests e.g. Contract Management e.g. Project Management embedded Information Technology Resource Centre

Road Ahead Deliver the different services prudently and systematically Maintain a healthy balance of $ and non-$ activities Further streamlining of procedures to enhance productivity More effective channels to collect customers ’ feedback

Information Technology Resource Centre Thank You