Buying technology

1. Buying technology How to get the most out of your TECH dollars.

2. Agenda • Take advantage of your nonprofit status • Where to start? • Where to go for projection and sound… • Light up your programs • Computers (Servers, Software, Desktops, Networks, ETC) • How to get your church online… • Back Office Software • Questions

3. Take Advantage of your Nonprofit Status • Churches are nonprofit. This status gives them some exceptional pricing opportunities that not-for-profit and for-profit organizations do not have. • All you need is a federal tax ID. • Most vendors require you to set up an account and will need a copy of your tax ID on file. • Don’t be afraid to ask about nonprofit pricing. • Even local business like Office Depot, Best Buy, Sam’s Club and others recognize your nonprofit status.

4. Where to start? • The best place to start is the internet. Use search engines like Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc to find what you need. • www.google.com • www.yahoo.com • www.bing.com • Also there are sites that help organizations find donated equipment. One such sight is techsoup.org.

5. Where to go for projection and sound… • Used Equipment: • Use the web to search for equipment. • Used or slightly-used equipment is an option, but make sure there is a good return policy or manufacturer’s warranty. • Use sites such as: • www.ebay.com • www.techsoup.org • cincinnati.craigslist.org (be very careful) • www.newprovideo.com • Talk with your local public television stations and cable company.

6. Where to go for projection and sound… • New Equipment: • Get a professional quote. • Nor-Com • Knight Audio • There are all kinds of places to get new equipment. Local organizations like BestBuy, Sam’s Club, Microcenter and others will recognize your nonprofit status, but may not have discounts. • Sites with great deals: • www.allprosound.com - Highly recommended. Set up an account and ask for nonprofit discounts when ordering. They will help you determine what you need. • www.bhphotovideo.com – Very good retailer. Prices are discounted and they will recognize nonprofit status.

7. Where to go for projection and sound… • Worship Software Sites: • www.easyworship.com – Recommended • www.mediashout.com – Recommended • www.presentationmanager.com • www.liveworship.com • Online Comparisons: • http://www.churchmedia.net/forums/worship-software-comparisons/

8. Light up your programs • Church lighting is sometimes a need during holiday programs or special events • Renting is an option: • Vincent Lighting Systems – Cincinnati - (859) 525-2000 • Online Purchase: • www.stagelightingstore.com • www.allprosound.com - Highly recommended. Set up an account and ask for nonprofit discounts when ordering. They will help you determine what you need. • www.bhphotovideo.com – Very good retailer. Prices are discounted and they will recognize nonprofit status.

9. Computers (Servers, Software, Desktops, Networks, ETC) • Used Equipment: • www.ebay.com • www.techsoup.org • cincinnati.craigslist.org (be very careful) • New Equipment: • Networking Equipment: • Dell – www.dell.com – Recommend that you set up an account with tax ID. Build quotes online and send to rep for pricing. Pricing is always better than the website price. • Newegg – www.newegg.com – Great prices, but they don’t discount for nonprofits. • Use search engines to find sights. Make sure they are reputable sites. You can reach out to the NKBA Tech Team for questions about sites.

10. Computers (Servers, Software, Desktops, Networks, ETC) • Servers: • Dell – www.dell.com – Recommend that you set up an account with tax ID. Build quotes online and send to rep for pricing. Pricing is always better than the website price. You can’t go wrong with Dell for Service and Support. • Recommend Small Business Server for software. • Web, Email, File Sharing, Printing, etc. • Get everything you need for a server and software for under $1,000 • Computers: • There are many sites to buy computers. Take your time and get the best price. Make sure you order the right operating system. Microsoft XP Pro is a minimum in an office environment. • Dell – www.dell.com – Discount for nonprofits • Best Buy – local and www.bestbuy.com • Microcenter – local and www.microcenter.com • Sam’s Club – local and www.samsclub.com • Apple – www.apple.com – Discount for nonprofits

11. Computers (Servers, Software, Desktops, Networks, ETC) • Internet: • Insight Business – www.insightbusiness.com • Options: http://insightbusiness.com/data_research.htm • Cincinnati Bell • Options: • Small Office DSL - $80/month – Dedicated IP Address • Small Office DSL - $49/month – Dynamic IP Address • http://www.cincinnatibell.com/business/bundles/

12. Computers (Servers, Software, Desktops, Networks, ETC) • Software: • Many vendors discount software for nonprofits. Recommended sites to help with this: • www.ccbnonprofits.com – Consistent Computer Bargains discounts software for nonprofits. Server Software, Antivirus, Design Software, etc.

13. How to get your church online • Web Hosting: • Go Daddy - http://www.godaddy.com • Network Solutions - http://www.networksolutions.com • URL Service • DYNDNS.COM Great place to buy web site domains at a low cost

14. Back Office Software • Accounting: • QuickBooks – Budgeting, Accounts Payable, Payroll (includes a payroll service) • Cost: • Software - $100 to $199 • http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting-software/quickbooks-comparison-chart.jsp • Payroll Services - $17/month • Membership: • Membership Plus – http://www.memplushome.com/products • Church Soft - http://churchsoft.com/ • Capterra (Software Finder) http://www.capterra.com/church-management-software

15. Questions Thank you for your time.