The Australian Council of Social Service today launched the Community Sector Digital Business Kit Project in partnership with Infoxchange and has released modules on a new website www.improveIT.org This is part of the Australian Government’s Digital Business Kit programme.
“Australia’s community sector is facing great challenges but also great opportunities in this fast moving digital age. This project has the potential to revolutionise the way small and medium sized organisations do business and better serve low-income and vulnerable people in our community,” said ACOSS Deputy CEO Rebecca Vassarotti.
“The aim of project is to equip community groups with important IT skills, information and resources that will lead to more efficient and effective delivery of services. Smarter use of IT – through faster connections, better use of technology to manage information, and tools to measure the impact of programs are making in the community – will ensure organisations can better support their clients.
“This project is specifically designed to target small and medium sized groups that may not have access to large IT budgets and in-house expertise. We know that improved IT performance is not about how much money you spend, but how you use the resources.”
Infoxchange CEO David Spriggs said, “One of the most exciting aspects of this project is that we have been able to host it on our new ImproveIT website. This website has been designed as the ‘go to’ place for community organisations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness using information technology.”
“It will help organisations who are looking for resources and how-to guides, want to discuss IT problems, or are looking for events, conferences and IT training. This means that the Digital Business Kits will be supported by a range of complementary information and tools, and organisations accessing them will be connected to a community working through similar issues.”
Ms Vassarotti said, “ACOSS has been delighted to work with Infoxchange to provide this much needed resource to the sector. The first part of the project has dealt with issues such as how to make the most of current information technology options, how to ensure appropriate on-line security, how to improve websites and how we can support new modes of working such as teleworking.”
“This is just the first stage of this exciting project, which will then go on to develop resources to support the sector make the most of new opportunities presented by cloud technologies, as well as to utilise electronic referrals and on-line collaboration tools.
“We hope that community organisations all over the country access the resources and make the most of the opportunities that IT provides,” Ms Vassarotti concluded.
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