Posts Tagged ‘Managing IT’
The Mac’s Amazing Reputation
The Mac has an amazing reputation. I agree with some of it, but most of its reputation is pure myth.
Read MoreThe Inseparable Bond of Technology & Mission
In a recent conference about technology in church ministry, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) said, “Every time there is an advance in technology, The Kingdom advances.” Technology has a huge impact on our mission– not the ‘what’ of our mission, but the ‘how’.
Read MoreIt’s Spring Cleaning Time!
It’s Spring, and to many of us that means “Spring Cleaning”. Computer data is one of those areas that needs constant grooming, and the payoff is big! But to some just thinking of it feels like a chore. In this article I’ll help you organize your data and delete unnecessary files easily.
Read MoreMaximizing Your Network– Virtually!
There’s a new technology in town, and it’s a pro at helping you maximize your network– budgetarily and operationally. But there’s one catch: it’s free. Yup! Free! The first time I heard about it I asked, “Can it possibly be any good?” I think you’ll be just as surprised as I was.
Read MoreInternet Stability in 2009
It’s only February, and we’ve already seen more Internet problems this year than I remember in all of 2008! Yet many churches and ministries are deciding to put their most important data on the web… data that, if unavailable, could shut them down. Let’s talk about how to protect your ministry from Internet outages and the havoc they can wreak.
Read MoreManaging IT in a Tight Economy
The economy has taken a serious downturn. There’s no more disputing that fact, and it’s affecting church and ministry budgets. Are there some things you can do to keep your computer system stability and reliability growing when finances are tight? I think so. It’s true of churches and ministries like it is everywhere else: when budgets are growing, waste is more prevalent. That’s not a judgment on our stewardship; it’s just that we’re focusing on tasks that sometimes keep us from being able to look for the best economic strategy. The good news is that in this tight economy there are some ways we can cut expenses without cutting quality, reliability, or impact.
Read MoreWiFi Stability & Other Tips
This week I made a quick trip to South Bend, Indiana to attend Granger Community Church’s IT Forum. That event and others like it are great places for good fellowship and for sharing ideas and solutions common to most in church and ministry IT. Following are a few things I picked up that may be helpful!
Read MoreCPA Audits Now Focusing on IT
Church and ministry computer systems and networks have grown in response to perceived needs over the years, and most have grown with very little intentionality or strategy. The results are often higher than necessary complexity, cost, and risk. CPAs are now being required to look at IT during audits for fiscal years ending 12/15/2007 and later. Are you ready?
Read MoreManaging Security vs Controlling Users
Computers and data networks are vulnerable, and wise IT Directors establish policies to protect them. They are guided by their research and experience in protecting these systems that contain valuable and sensitive data. But many go further than necessary, and without ever intending to, frustrate their staff. So let’s talk about some ‘best practices’ ministry security strategies.
Read MoreLayers of Protection
We are all masters of risk management! You may not have thought of yourself that way, but it’s true! You began learning how to manage risk when your parents taught you that you shouldn’t touch something hot because it would burn you. In elementary school you learned to avoid the school bully because any encounter with him or her could hurt. So all through our lives we’ve learned how to manage risk. And, as risk managers, we need various layers of protection from those things that could hurt our ministry’s computer systems.
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