Panologic selected Sentry Networks as the Australian Distributor due to their reputation for excellence in customer service, which saw them ranked in the top 50 Managed Service Providers in the world.

The ‘PANO’ is the latest ‘Green’ technology solution and is destined to replace your PC.

Your average PC uses $320 worth of electricity per annum. The ‘PANO’ allows you to reduce that expenditure to $9.60 per annum. This means a business network with 100 computer users will save $31,040 each year on energy costs alone.

In addition, unlike PC’s which need to be replaced every three to four years, the ‘PANO’ device has an eight-year life expectancy. Purchasing a ‘PANO’ is more economical than a PC so your investment in hardware costs are dramatically reduced. For companies needing to reduce carbon emissions, every two PC’s replaced with a ‘PANO’ device is the equivalent of taking one car off the road.

For more information on how to go ‘Green’ with your IT technology call 1800 SENTRY now or visit www.donortec.com.au !

IT Standardisation is a strategy for minimizing IT costs within an organisation by keeping hardware and software as consistent as possible and reducing the number of tools you have that address the same basic need. It may take the form of ensuring that every computer has the same operating system, or of purchasing hardware in bulk so that every PC in your office is the same make and model. Standardisation often goes hand in hand with centralisation, the process of giving your IT department more control over purchases of hardware and software, and more control over what staff members are allowed to do with their office computers.

While imposing equipment standards can help you streamline your IT infrastructure, simplify decision-making, and minimise purchasing and maintenance costs, the process of standardising itself can be complicated. This article will show you ways to gauge the level of standardisation your organisation requires, highlight some of the benefits of standardisation, and offer tips for standardising your equipment while balancing organisational and staff needs.

Being open and adaptive to new technologies can be important to both your organization's mission and its ability to operate efficiently. Likewise, being flexible when it comes to individual preferences — whether it's working on a specific platform or using a particular spam filter — can help employees work better and encourage creativity.

Hardware and software aren’t the only aspects of an IT system that you might consider streamlining. We’ve highlighted some of the advantages of standardising everything from your operating system to your vendor relationships.

If you work in an office with multiple models and versions of software and equipment, the task of standardising everything can be overwhelming. Starting from scratch by buying all new equipment is probably not an option for most (if any) organisations, but there are a few steps you can take to standardise your equipment over time.

If your organisation has traditionally allowed departments to choose and customise their own equipment, it can be difficult to convince employees to switch to a more centralised, standardisation-friendly IT purchasing system. Yet there are ways to streamline your purchasing procedures without ignoring staff needs.

Since the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) was first created as the Indo-China Refugee Association in 1975, it has expanded its work to include people escaping persecution in any country. It uses a broad definition of a refugee to include others such as asylum seekers, their families and migrants in need.

ARA assists people to move forward from the refugee experience, rebuild their lives and their community, live in dignity and  become contributing members of the Australian community.  ARA also works with the Australian community, deepening their understanding of the refugee experience, involving people in practical ways by volunteering and providing both practical and financial assistance.

In May of 2007, through the DonorTec program, ARA received Cisco goods enabling the association to replace its ailing server.

“We were going through a bit of a crisis at the time, because our server was causing problems, and we needed to replace it in a hurry,” said ARA Director, Kevin Liston.

“We got the parts very quickly and it was a life saver – we are very appreciative, regarding both the price that we received the goods for, and the quick turn around time it took to get us up and running again,” he said.

“As an organisation, we don’t have a lot of loose change, and to be able to take advantage of the DonorTec system was fantastic,” Mr Liston said.

“The donated goods mean that we are able to function a lot more effectively internally, and if we can function more rapidly, it benefits our staff and clients, because we are able to respond to their needs more efficiently.”

Mr Liston said that the goods “so generously provided by DonorTec” last year had greatly improved ARA’s communications and information management systems, enhancing staff capacity to provide quality services.

“I would absolutely advise other not-for-profit organisations to go for it – and use the DonorTec system! It is very helpful.”

DonorTec is currently running the Order Now Win Later competition. All orders placed and paid on or between 19 June and July 31 will be entered into the draw to win one of the following prizes:

Up to $500 credit for your DonorTec order

Or

$500 for you organisation towards Professional Development (ICT Training /Conference)

Or

X-BOX

Time is running out to be in the running to win one of these great prizes as the draw will be held on 1 August 2008. The winner will be published in the following DonorTec newsletter, so make sure you finalise your orders now to maximise your chances.