As the cost of living crisis continues to impact charities, coupled with rising National Insurance contributions due to take effect in April, reducing spend is more important than ever. One way charities can do this is to consolidate and optimise their IT systems. At Smartdesc, we have a wealth of experience supporting charities with their…
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* Please note: We have now reached full capacity for this event * Would you like to get to know your charity tech peers in a friendly, relaxed setting at Microsoft’s London office? Join us on Thursday 5 June 2025 for drinks, nibbles and networking for charity leaders, in partnership with Microsoft Tech for Social Impact.…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc February newsletter. This month, we’re thrilled to launch our annual Charity Technology Leaders Survey – your opportunity to shape insights for technology leaders in the not-for-profit space, in partnership with Charity IT Leaders. We also feature a useful blog ahead of the PSTN switch off, upcoming charity IT roundtables with Microsoft, and…
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The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off is fast approaching. By 31 January 2027, every phone line in the UK will have moved to a fully digital network that uses Internet Protocol (IP) across a fibre-based service. This will mark the end of traditional copper phone lines and a significant leap towards a fully…
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Each year we conduct a Charity Technology Leaders survey to listen to sector leaders and understand their priorities around IT for the year ahead. We identify common themes and trends and share this back in the form of a report. You can read last year’s report here, or watch our LinkedIn Live video where we…
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*Please note: this event has now reached full capacity* Do you want to take your charity’s IT strategy to the next level? Are there barriers currently holding your progress back? Join us on Thursday 24 April at Microsoft London for a roundtable discussion on how to accelerate your IT strategy. You will gain insights and…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc January newsletter. At the start of a new year, we feature a useful blog on how to build your IT strategy without being a techie. We also share some exciting new services on offer as part of our partnership with Academia Technology Group, including full device lifecycle management, and cheaper, optimised…
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*Please note: this event has now reached full capacity* Are you a charity leader navigating the complex landscape of data protection? Join us on Thursday 3 April at Microsoft London for a roundtable discussion on key data protection topics. Gain insights and practical advice to strengthen your organisation’s compliance and safeguard personal data. We will cover…
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Welcome to the Smartdesc November newsletter. This month, we share some useful resources on how to avoid recent Dropbox phishing attacks, how to build an IT Strategy without significant in-house expertise, and how we helped the national charity Mind achieve ISO 27001 certification – in case this is something you are considering at your organisation. We…
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Dropbox, a popular cloud storage service, has become an unexpected tool in the hands of cybercriminals. Malicious actors are leveraging the platform to distribute phishing emails, a tactic that is becoming increasingly difficult to defend against. How Does It Work? Traditionally, phishing emails contain malicious links or attachments which, when clicked or downloaded, can infect…
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