Translated material
Free cloud services for NGOs
On September 6, 2016 in Samara, Mitap greenhouses of social technologies “Cloud Technologies for NPOs” were held in Samara. Alexey Ananyev , author and manager of the Project Cloud Accounting for NPO “Third Sector” , talked about how popular services can help in the work of public associations.
Cloud technologies use a place on disks and computing power of remote computers and servers. The most used “cloud” function is the storage of information, but modern services also offer the ability to work with files without installing software, automatic data synchronization and multi -user modes.
4 reasons why NPO is profitable to use cloud technologies
- To work with cloud services, a high power of their own computers and devices is not required.
- The installation of special software and its updating is not required, which means that you can do without a standard IT specialist.
- Security is ensured by the company supporting the work. Without an account, unauthorized access to data is impossible, and it is easier to restore randomly deleted files due to regular backup.
- When using cloud storages and services, employees can work with files and programs from any place and from any device. The only necessary requirement for this is Internet access.
The most famous company that provides free cloud services is Google . On their basis, the organization can not only ensure storage and joint work with files, but also coordinate the activities of employees, are easy to process information and even conduct webinars. The special program "Google for non -profit organizations" allows you to use the corporate capabilities of Google Apps for free.
6 Google services useful for NGOs
- Gmail mail is not only a convenient mailbox that works effectively with unwanted letters, it is also integrated with other Google services.
- Google disk - cloud storage of information. Thanks to the Google Documents service, it turns into a full-fledged remote workplace, and several people can view and edit files at the same time.
- Google form is a special tool for collecting information from users. With it, you can easily conduct a survey: create a convenient and simple shell for the questionnaire, which can be sent by e -mail or integrated to the site, and immediately get generalized information in the form of diagrams.
- Google calendar will help manage its time and coordinate the activities of employees. Creating different calendars and providing colleagues with access to them, you can remotely appoint meetings at a convenient time for everyone or form a general schedule of the organization.
- The virtual printer will make it possible to print the necessary letters and orders on an office printer, staying at home or going on a business trip.
- Hangouts is an analogue of the Skype program that does not require installation on the computer. Its great advantage is integration with other Google services. For example, the recording of the webinar will be automatically placed on YouTube .
Yandex cloud services
Yandex also provides users with many cloud services: Yandex.Do and Yandex.Disk . Since Yandex is a Russian company, representatives of authorities and local self -government at their workplaces can freely use its resources.
Mail for the domain allows you to use your own corporate domain for addresses, and Yandex.Disk - to work with documents without software installation. Many NPOs use Yandex.Cass to collect funds, and Yandex.Maters - to create their own cards with marks.
Microsoft cloud services
Another popular cloud service for working with documents is Office.com from Microsoft, which contains all the capabilities of the MS Office package. The free plan has a number of restrictions, but the company has a special program “Office 365 for non -profit organizations” , by which they can purchase a subscription.
Cloud services that can be useful for NGOs
Among the cloud technologies, messengers, services for creating tasks, the so-called “Todo List”, project management systems are also distinguished. Many of them have applications for mobile devices, so that employees will always receive the necessary notifications and will be able to take part in the discussion.
- Telegram not only allows you to exchange messages, but also supports data encryption.
- HipChat and Slack are intended for communication and have integration with most services.
- Wunderlist will help to make a list of cases or tasks, and will also allow them to reproduce them to other employees and control the implementation.
- Mylifeorganized will help organize work and effectively manage time.
- ASANA is a full -fledged tool for working together and project management.
- Bitrix24.com - free cloud Russian -speaking CRM, which can receive messages and data from most instant messengers and social networks.
- Zadarma.com - a cloud automatic telephone station that redirects calls and provides inexpensive tariffs for long -distance, international and internal communication, and also has many other useful functions.