Voluntary Action Islington Case Study
Selecting a support provider
About the organisation
Voluntary Action Islington (VAI) is a membership organisation for people working to make a positive difference to life in the local community. It offers a range of services to support small and emerging voluntary organisations with their development needs. This includes the provision of resources such as desk space, computers, internet access and servers.
The challenge
Their existing contract with a third party support provider was up for renewal and they wanted to explore other options, as well as consider moving some of their equipment to a remote data centre which would allow them to free up office space. Adapta was approached to help produce a requirements specification to guide them through the process to select a new third party support provider.
Adapta support
We were able to help prepare the requirements specification and provide support through the process of selecting a new supplier of the services identified in the specification on a very cost-effective basis. We provided templates for documents that VAI needed to produce, reviewed and edited the requirements that were included in the templates, and helped to produce a timetable that prioritised what needed doing and when. Adapta was also able to offer guidance on how best VAI should respond to supplier’s questions. We helped to structure the interview questions, attended interviews with them, and supported them through the decision-making process. At the end of the process they picked the supplier they wanted and were able to disengage comfortably from their incumbent support provider and moved successfully to a hosted arrangement. By the beginning of 2015 server equipment was relocated, and all desktop PCs upgraded so VAI are now able to offer tenants a standard pack of equipment and software, as well as improving the services they were getting from their previous support provider.
Voluntary Action Islington
Mike Sherriff
Chief Executive
“ICT is an area where we do not have in-house expertise. There are now lots of companies trying to sell us services so it was very helpful to have independent and impartial advice.”
Rebecca Pritchard
Former Director of Operations, Crisis
"Adapta have been honest and realistic with us throughout. They are clear where they can add value and where we can do things on our own – so it feels like a partnership..."
James Kliffen
Head of Fundraising, MSF UK
"You have had a huge influence in our fundraising, and I would enthusiastically recommend you to other charities (and often have)..."
Phil Durbin
Former Head of Corporate Systems, Salvation Army
"Unlike many consultants, Adapta won’t tell you what you expect to hear. They will be very honest and challenging and, even if some of what they say is uncomfortable to hear, it means you end up getting better advice."
Dawn Varley
Operations & Strategy Director, Badger Trust
"I knew I could task them with my problem, and leave them to undertake the work in a professional yet friendly way, bringing their expertise and experience to the project…"
Iain McSeveney
Finance Director, Medical Aid for Palestinians
"I’m very pleased with the professional way that Adapta managed the project for the selection of MAP’s new accounting software. It was obvious that they have great experience in the charity sector and on the range of suitable accounting software currently on the market..."
Rachel Rand
Strategic Director - Finance and Corporate Services, NCB
"I would not embark on any IT project without first meeting with Adapta to understand how they feel they could support me. I have found their guidance and practical support invaluable…"
Rosalba Leonelli
Head of Finance, Client Earth
"Thank you to you and your team for developing and facilitating an excellent workshop. You fully understood our needs which were evident in the workshop structure and content…"