NPower Expertise Helps Nonprofit The Best of Unexpected Move

Urban Alliance is an award-winning DC area nonprofit which empowers under-resourced youth to aspire, work, and succeed through paid internships, formal training, and mentoring. Since its founding in 1996, this organization had been housed in the offices of a local corporation which also provided tech support pro bono.Unexpectedly, Urban Alliance learned that it would have to relocate within three months time. The physical move was only part of the challenge for Urban Alliance. They also had to recreate their entire technology infrastructure. Additionally, both had to be done without interrupting Urban Alliance's day- to-day work with more than 100 high school students and their employers. Since this was an unplanned for expense, the budget for this important project was very limited.

While very tech-savvy, Urban Alliance Director of Operations Sean Segal knew that he needed outside help and contacted several local technology firms for advice. Most told Segal that creating an entire tech infrastructure from scratch in just three months was impossible. However, NPower advised Sean that while "it would be difficult, it could be done," with "careful planning and quick decision making."Sean engaged NPower and we quickly got to work helping Sean create his new infrastructure. "They walked me through most of it," Segal said. "They helped me purchase the server and then set it up. They got licenses for our Microsoft software through their donation program. They set up our network, then set up our backup, and procured and installed antivirus protection. They were available for consultation on everything, and even helped me find an internet provider and phone provider. It was great to have them as our partner. They really knew what they were doing and were so thorough."

Urban Alliance moved their office and NPower set up the new computer network without an interruption. When staff arrived at work on the Monday after the move, their computers were ready to use. “The goal was that the move wouldn’t affect staff,” Segal said, and “it didn’t.”“We got everything done in time,” Segal said. “NPower was here move-in day to get the computers set up. They hired one of our alumni as an intern, and he was here in the building helping set up the network. They set up the network from scratch. It took a lot off my plate and I knew the IT would be good to go.”Urban Alliance signed up for NPower’s remote IT support service, NPower ON! Urban Alliance is pleased with the ongoing support staff receives from NPower. “They’re really responsive,” Segal said. “There’s never been a time when I had a question or put in a ticket that I haven’t gotten a quick response.”