Next IT and Digital network meeting date
Sign up to attend the next virtual network meeting, happening on Wednesday 28 February at 13:00-15:00. Where we will hear latest updates from industry experts and share best practice on all things IT and Digital.
Click here to book your place.
The cost of IT for housing associations – recent presentation
In November at the SFHA Finance Conference in Aviemore I ran a very interesting session alongside Ian Lever, Director of Digital and Technology Consultancy, Altair. The session focused on the Cost of IT resourcing including trends in the marketplace, and some interesting mapping of Housing Management Systems. You can view the presentation here.
Scottish Housing IT operations benchmark pilot + upcoming report
In my last update we announced that Altair are working in partnership with SFHA to help all our members better understand the attributable costs and resourcing of IT across Scottish Has. The pilot has been extremely successful with 11 members signing up. We expect to launch a short report at the start of the new year then open up the benchmarking to all members once we have captured feedback from those organisations who are involved in the pilot.
If you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch.
SFHA IT applications Survey
Great to see so many complete the short survey that will help us map out what every HA is using for their core systems. Remember to complete it if you haven’t already, I will be producing a list of systems used across the membership in first quarter of 2024. Complete 5 min survey here.
I received confirmation that there is currently support available for cyber skills training of technical employees within the third sector from the Public Sector Cyber Upskilling Fund, funded by Scottish Government’s Cyber Resilience Unit and administered by ScotlandIS. It is allocated on a first come, first served arrangement and you can claim up to £5000 per employee (maximum of £7000 per organisation). SCVO will be sharing through our digital comms but wanted to let the working group know in case any of you are interested, you can apply here or reach out to ScotlandIS for further information.
Microsoft Evaluation of license pricing + Co-pilot launch
The next Microsoft evaluation of license pricing will take place on 1 February 2024. Make sure your organisation has checked and considered budget options around your Microsoft License costs to ensure you have most cost-effective agreements in place. We have worked with Vodafone Business as they have supported many other Housing Associations in reducing OPEX on MS Microsoft licensing due to the unique global Microsoft agreement that Vodafone has with Microsoft, they are the only Telecommunications provider in the UK to have this.
Housing associations that have taken advantage of the unique 365 pricing via Vodafone, include Paisley HA, Cassiltoun HA, Whiteinch and Scotstoun, Elderpark Housing, and Spire View Housing to name but a few. The savings in some cases has been up 28% on licensing costs.
Co-Pilot has been launched by Microsoft in the UK, but this is only available to organisations with Microsoft Enterprise Agreements, Vodafone have advised that Co-Pilot will be available to smaller organisation at some point in 2024, date to be confirmed. This will be an area Vodafone Business can also support your organisation.
If you would like to arrange a chat or even get a quote for improved costs you can contact Alastair Redpath via email: Alastair.Redpath@vodafone.com
____________
If you would like to discuss any of the above update in more detial please contact Gary Dickson, SFHA Digital and Design Manager: gdickson@sfha.co.uk
