Business Need

Small not-for-profit organisations, particularly those serving Indigenous communities, often face significant challenges in managing and optimising their ICT environments. Limited funding, resource constraints, and the complexity of modern technology can hinder their ability to adopt secure, scalable, and efficient ICT solutions.

Recognising these challenges, Frame provided strategic ICT consulting on a pro bono basis to support not-for-profits in strengthening their technology foundations. The goal was to develop practical, cost-effective ICT strategies that would enhance service delivery, improve operational resilience, and align with the unique needs of these organisations.

By leveraging existing investments in Microsoft technologies, Frame helped these organisations access reduced-cost solutions, free training, and expert guidance—ensuring they could maximise their ICT capabilities without unnecessary financial strain. Additionally, the engagement prioritised cybersecurity, cloud adoption, and digital literacy to future-proof operations and improve care services for the communities they support.

What Frame Did

A key factor in developing effective and practical strategies was the early engagement with principal stakeholders across the organisations. This approach provided valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by small not-for-profit organisations and ensured the strategies were tailored to their specific needs.

Frame structured its ICT strategies into five key areas:

    • End-User Computing
    • ICT Infrastructure & Service Continuity
    • Business Applications
    • IT Operations
    • Cybersecurity

Leveraging existing investments in Microsoft technologies, Frame promoted Microsoft 365 and Azure-based solutions to capitalise on the reduced pricing, free training, and technical support that Microsoft offers to not-for-profit organisations.

Tailored ICT Solutions for Indigenous Clients

Frame’s solutions for its Indigenous clients included:

    • Engaging specialist service providers with expertise in supporting not-for-profit ICT environments.
    • Technology uplift projects to enable:
      • –Adoption of cloud-based IT solutions where appropriate.
      • –Integration of smart home technologies to enhance community care.
      • –Provision of broadband internet and WiFi across residential aged care facilities.
      • –Digital literacy training for both community members and care workers.
      • –Investment in assistive technologies and home monitoring for elderly care.
      • –Expansion of TeleHealth capabilities for aged care services.
    • Hardware refresh for end-user devices.
    • Migration of on-premise server workloads and applications to Azure, including cloud-based backup and ‘X-as-a-Service’ models where possible.
    • Upgrading network connectivity with NBN and 4G options to support remote service delivery, including TeleHealth.
    • Mandatory security training for all staff before deploying multi-factor authentication for enhanced protection.

Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

Frame delivers this ICT consulting engagement pro bono as part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, supporting the voices and resilience of Indigenous communities.

Success Story: Aboriginal Community Elders Services (ACES)

One of Frame’s most impactful engagements was with the Aboriginal Community Elders Services (ACES), a not-for-profit organisation in Victoria providing healthcare services to Elders.

ACES CEO, James Atkinson, shared his feedback:
“Andrew Patterson, Craig Castle, and the team at Frame were professional and great to work with, especially during the severest lockdowns of 2020–22. Craig led the conversation, collaborated closely with us, and delivered a comprehensive ICT and cybersecurity strategy that will support our organisation’s growth in the coming years. Frame’s pro bono engagement was both professional and timely.”