Everything non-profit’s need to know about managing and optimizing Microsoft solutions
Just like businesses, non-profit organizations are realizing the productive and cost-effective potential that strategic technology can offer. Microsoft solutions are designed to help organizations of any kind or size position themselves for greater flexibility and cost-efficiency. However, when it comes to non-profit organizations, Microsoft offers specific benefits that help these organizations do more with less.
Before we dive into the different ways that Microsoft can help non-profit organizations stay strategic, let’s go over what kind of organizations are eligible for working with Microsoft under the ‘non-profit’ umbrella. Microsoft lists clear instructions regarding which organizations are considered non-profits and what eligibility requirements must be met in order for a non-profit entity to take advantage of exclusive Microsoft benefits.
Organizations who wish to take part in Microsoft non-profit programs must:
Now that you know whether or not you qualify to take advantage of Microsoft’s specialized programs for non-profit organizations, it’s like to get down to the details of how these programs are designed to benefit non-profit entities like yours. The fact of the matter is, Microsoft has designed a number of ways that non-profit organizations can save costs and optimize their use of Microsoft solutions.
Here are the key benefits that Microsoft offers non-profit organizations like yours:
Right out of the gate Microsoft offers non-profit entities significant discounts on their products, services, and solutions. Eligible non-profit organizations can receive discounts on almost everything Microsoft offers including: Cloud services like Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics 265, Surface hardware, and on-premises software.
Microsoft also works with partners to facilitate the donation of software to non-profit organizations who need it. TechSoup – Microsoft’s international partnership network – facilitates the donation of software to nonprofits, charities, and NGOs in 236 countries and territories. While Microsoft doesn’t currently have a hardware donation program, they, along with their partners, seek to allocate affordable hardware for non-profits on a regular basis.
In addition to providing discounted and free products and services to non-profits, Microsoft also hosts regular and free training events to help non-profit organizations better understand, deploy, and optimize Microsoft technologies. These training events are hosted by Microsoft offices around the country and the goal is to help non-profit organizations get the very most out of their Microsoft solutions.
Microsoft also has a vast network of support partners that are available to help non-profit organizations deploy and optimize the Microsoft solutions they use. This support network acts as an extension of direct Microsoft support. Support partners are certified Microsoft experts and can help non-profit organizations of any size position their Microsoft solutions for greater flexibility and productivity.
We’ve touched on this a bit already but finding a managed IT provider to help your non-profit organization optimize Microsoft solutions really can go a long way. By partnering with a team of certified Microsoft experts in San Francisco, you’ll take a lot of the stress out of deploying and optimizing your Microsoft technologies. Above all, the right provider will be able to answer your questions, provide recommendations, and identify areas for optimization.
A strategic managed IT provider can help your organization by:
If your non-profit organization is looking for a managed IT provider to help you deploy or optimize Microsoft solutions, we recommend going into your search with this guide in mind. Be sure to ask specific questions about how your organization can be taking advantage of Microsoft non-profit benefits. Remember, it’s a good idea to choose a provider that is a certified Microsoft partner. This will help ensure you’re getting the best support possible and taking advantage of all the benefits you’re eligible for.
We welcome you to start your search by reaching out to the team of managed IT professionals at On Time Tech. Our team has the experience and expertise necessary to help your non-profit organization ensure you’re taking advantage of all the benefits Microsoft offers to entities like yours.
Wondering if your San Francisco non-profit organization is taking full advantage of Microsoft benefits? We can help. Reach out to the team of Microsoft experts from On Time Tech at (415) 294-5250 or via email at info@www.ontimetech.com. We can’t wait to position your non-profit organization for increased flexibility and success.