Client Profile:

Crisis Assistance Ministry was founded in 1975 to meet the urgent needs of families experiencing financial crisis in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC. Today, the organization stabilizes Mecklenburg County families by addressing housing stability through emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, appliances, and household goods while empowering families with the tools to set and achieve goals for longer-term financial stability. The independent, nonprofit agency engages and inspires the community to action through advocacy and education about the complex, systemic issues surrounding poverty in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Sue Wright is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte. She brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously worked as a technical project manager consultant. She focuses not only on technology within the organization but also on strategic projects. Sue takes a holistic approach to her role by combining technical expertise with a broader understanding of organizational dynamics.

The Need

Crisis Assistance Ministry decided to enlist WorkSmart as their IT service provider due to their need for a comprehensive managed IT services package tailored to accommodate the diverse roles within the nonprofit. Since the organization had a small team responsible for multiple tasks, they decided to opt for the expertise of WorkSmart rather than maintaining in-house technical staff. WorkSmart was selected as it could provide a full suite of services, including a responsive help desk, ensuring timely support for the organization’s 65+ users dealing with email, phone, or computer issues.

The WorkSmart Solution

On-Site Support and Monitoring: WorkSmart’s on-site support is invaluable, with a consultant familiar with Crisis Assistance Ministry’s operations dedicating four hours twice a week. They also take care of background tasks such as server monitoring and support, which ensure ongoing security and keep infrastructure up to date.

Strategic Project Support: WorkSmart provides expertise and support during strategic projects. In a recent collaboration, WorkSmart’s project manager and technical consultant helped the agency implement a new cloud-based phone system. As a result of this transition, the company was able to adapt to the current hybrid work environment by enabling seamless remote communication and eliminating the need for physical desk phones.

Microsoft Office 365: WorkSmart provided valuable assistance to the agency in transitioning to Microsoft Office 365 before 2020, which proved to be a wise decision during the pandemic. Their expertise in setting up Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive enabled seamless remote work, ensuring uninterrupted workflows and efficient internal communication during difficult times.

Troubleshooting: As CIO, Wright trusts WorkSmart to assist her in troubleshooting technical issues. For example, if the phone extensions malfunction, the organization relies on WorkSmart to communicate with the vendor and initiate support cases on their behalf. In the same way, if there are any issues with internet or phone lines that involve external providers, WorkSmart contacts them directly, simplifying troubleshooting and saving Crisis Assistance Ministry time.

Technical Resource: Crisis Assistance Ministry relies on WorkSmart’s account manager for technical support since they do not have an in-house technical team. The account manager and WorkSmart technical team troubleshoot problems and suggest alternative options with Wright and her team.

“WorkSmart is a valuable resource for me,” notes Wright. “When I need to discuss technology-related issues and explore solutions, I can rely on my account manager. They serve as both a strategic partner and a technical consultant, providing invaluable assistance in problem-solving and offering alternative options.”

The Result

WorkSmart’s contribution to the development of Crisis Assistance Ministry’s technological infrastructure enabled it to significantly improve its technological capabilities. WorkSmart ensures that Crisis Assistance Ministry is technically prepared to address unforeseen challenges and provide its customers with quality service. The support team actively takes care of background tasks such as server monitoring and support, ensuring the security and up-to-date nature of the infrastructure. 

Assisting Crisis Assistance Ministry to move to a cloud-based phone system was made easier with WorkSmart. This enabled seamless remote communication and allowed the agency to eliminate physical desk phones as part of its transition to a hybrid work environment. With direct access to the organization’s system, WorkSmart can quickly make modifications or updates based on vendor discussions, expediting the resolution process. Serving as both a strategic partner and technical consultant, WorkSmart provides the necessary technological insights and solutions to Crisis Assistance Ministry.

The Impact

Through proactive IT solutions, WorkSmart has improved Crisis Assistance Ministry’s ability to serve its customers. A recent example highlights WorkSmart’s contributions to enhancing security and streamlining processes. A major challenge for Crisis Assistance Ministry was the integration of new copiers and printers while maintaining data security. Their goal was to implement secure printing procedures to safeguard sensitive information. Providing seamless communication and advocating for the organization’s best interests, WorkSmart acted as an intermediary between Crisis Assistance Ministry and vendors to implement unique, secure printing that met Crisis Assistance Ministry’s needs. 

This case study highlights the advantages of shifting from reactive to proactive IT services with WorkSmart. This means a commitment to “the right technology, not more technology,” efficiency, and robust security measures – all supported by real people who value the relationships they build with clients. 

Contact WorkSmart for comprehensive managed IT services if your organization has 10-100 computer users and is within an hour of their offices in Durham, Charlotte, Alpharetta, Greensboro, or North Philadelphia.

Have you experienced persistent IT issues that resulted in downtime and diminished productivity?

Today’s businesses rely heavily on IT infrastructure to maximize efficiency, drive productivity, and ensure seamless operations. Nevertheless, businesses often face the challenge of reactive IT solution providers that address problems only once they arise. Taking this approach may lead to disruptions and a lack of foresight, which could slow down your business growth.

WorkSmart, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, believes in the right technologies for today and the right strategies for tomorrow. WorkSmart’s proactive approach ensures that you are always at the forefront of technology, giving you the confidence to be prepared for any challenge that comes your way. This approach allows you to focus on expanding your business and achieving your goals without ever having to worry about falling behind in IT.

In this article we delve into the challenges that businesses face, the proactive solutions WorkSmart provides, and the benefits of the right technology, not more technology, maximizing your IT as a strategic investment.

Reactive IT Solutions Are a Challenge

One of the common challenges you might be facing is the reactive nature of your current IT service provider. Traditional IT support tends to focus on fixing problems after they arise, leading to a cycle of recurring issues and a lack of proactive measures. This reactive approach both inhibits operational efficiency and creates uncertainty about the stability of IT systems. You find yourself caught in a constant struggle to address problems as they emerge, often resulting in downtime, decreased productivity, and increased costs.

WorkSmart Does IT Proactively

WorkSmart distinguishes itself with a proactive approach to IT services. Rather than waiting for problems to surface, WorkSmart anticipates problems and works to address them before they negatively affect your business. To provide an IT environment that is stable, secure, and optimized, WorkSmart prioritizes proactive problem-solving over reactive firefighting.

4 Benefits of WorkSmart’s Proactive Approach

1. Preventing Recurring Issues: It is easier to reduce disruptions when you identify and address issues before they escalate. WorkSmart offers ongoing IT support and maintenance services to ensure that your systems run smoothly. Our proactive maintenance of critical infrastructure includes regular monitoring, troubleshooting, software updates, and proactive maintenance to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime.
2. Collaborative Strategic Planning: WorkSmart offers collaborative strategic planning sessions that extend beyond reactive support. These sessions enable you to actively shape your IT roadmap and align it with your long-term business objectives. Our team of experts works with you to create a customized plan that takes into account your unique business needs and goals. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the technology that drives your business and how it can be utilized to prepare for any event.
3. Forward-Thinking Problem Solving: WorkSmart, as a proactive organization, does more than simply fix problems. Our focus is to reduce potential problems before they arise by adopting a preventive and forward-thinking approach. We focus on finding the root cause, and providing a solution before it escalates. This approach not only saves valuable resources but also promotes a culture of preparedness and resilience within your organization.
4. Local Expertise and Responsive Support: WorkSmart provides a unique combination of services that blends the advantages of personalized attention with large-scale capability. We deliver personalized and responsive support that is tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. With deep roots in each of our communities, our local experts are a valuable resource for our clients.

 

WorkSmart’s approach ensures that every client receives customized solutions while maintaining a high standard of professionalism and expertise. We are committed to delivering excellent service.  It is evident in the quality of our work and the long-lasting relationships we establish with our clients. You will simply love your local team!

Maximize Your IT as a Proactive Strategic Investment

In today’s world, businesses cannot afford to ignore the importance of IT as a strategic investment. IT is no longer just a support function, but a critical element for organizations aiming to thrive in the digital age. Besides enhancing operational efficiency, IT can streamline processes and give businesses a competitive edge. Companies that strategically invest in IT resources can position themselves for sustained growth and innovation. They can implement cutting-edge technologies, improve cybersecurity measures, and leverage data analytics to stay ahead in the market.

With WorkSmart, you’ll get the proactive long-term IT partnership you’ve been looking for. We specialize in:

• Managed IT Services
• Co-Managed IT Services
• Cybersecurity Services
• Data Backup and Recovery
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Cloud Services
• Microsoft 365

Our mission is to simplify IT for local businesses and organizations to fuel their growth. We are conveniently located close to Durham, Charlotte, Alpharetta, Greensboro, and Lancaster, and provide IT services to local businesses with 10 to 100 computer users.

Contact WorkSmart today to meet your local team!  And stay tuned for the upcoming case study on how a company switched from reactive IT services to WorkSmart. Discover why they switched service providers and how this transition revolutionized their IT experience.