Posts by Jonathan Smith
The Little Tools I Love
Those of us who use technology a lot have a collection of little tools and utilities that we’ve come to rely on that help us get a lot done. Those of our friends and colleagues who use technology very little are often amazed at what we can do! Though many of these are simple, here are a few of my favorite tools that help me accomplish a lot and “Wow!” the masses.
Read MoreWhy Are My System Support Costs So High?
Our team has had the privilege of working on hundreds of ministry networks around the country. We are often appalled at the high support costs our clients paid with their prior engineering/support firm. There are usually three reasons ministries pay more than they should, let’s identify them to help you avoid unnecessary support fees.
Read MoreIt’s A Roller Coaster!
You’re in a building project, and the problem solving seems to be done. But is it? Get ready! This process is a roller coaster ride like you’ve never been on before!
Read MoreComputer First Aid Kit?
Most organizations have an undocumented disaster recovery plan that has never been tested. As many ministries learned in last year’s hurricane season, waiting until the disaster hits is the worst time to test your system.
Read MoreDeveloping A True Ministry Team
Well coordinated ministry teams are rare! Ministry staff members are most often best characterized as entrepreneurial competitors who try to be diplomatic and work with each other– sort of. Why is that? How can we help our staff work together in a well-coordinated fashion?
Read MoreAverting An IT Disaster
In light of recent events many stories and articles are circulating about the need for disaster preparedness. Many of us are in areas prone to at least one form of natural disaster. What are the facts? How do we prepare? Possibly the hardest question to answer– what will it cost?
Read MoreIs VoIP In Your Future?
VoIP is a hot topic of conversation at nearly every ministry conference these days! VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is what many think of as free phone calls over the Internet. Television cable companies have begun advertising it to compete with telephone service providers, and now telephone service providers are offering it too! VoIP sounds promising, but is it as good as it sounds? Let’s look together at VoIP: what it is, its upsides and its downsides so you can determine if it is for you.
Read MoreEmail Can Be A Blessing!
Who would have thought a dozen years ago that most of our ministry communication would be electronic! Yet most of us now spend a large part of our day reading, writing, and responding to email— both within our organization and beyond. Does it sometimes feel overwhelming? It does for me! Do you sometimes wonder whether there are etiquette and style guidelines you should be aware of? There are!
Read MoreWhen Is It Time To Change Your System or Software?
Ministries change computer systems and software for a variety of reasons. Some of these are good, and some are wasteful. What are some of the “right” reasons to change?
Read MoreChanging Your System or Software? What Should You Expect?
When churches change computer systems or software, they’re often surprised at the enormity of the task. The time and costs often run over budget, and the transition often leaves a trail of unmet expectations. With a little understanding of the process and some preplanning, however, these unmet expectations can be minimized and even avoided.
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