Consulting Services FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about consulting, scheduled support and volunteer matching.
- How soon can I get help for my technology project?
- I am having a technology emergency and need help right away. Can an NPower consultant help?
- I am having a technology emergency and need help right away. Can an NPower volunteer help me?
- Do you offer tech support?
- Is consulting free?
- Do I have to be a member to use consulting?
- Are NPower volunteer services free?
- Is volunteer matching only available to members?
- How do I choose between working with a volunteer or a consultant?
- Can you recommend hardware to buy?
- Can you help us plan for technology and approach funders?
How soon can I get help for my technology project?
Generally speaking, consultants are available to start a new project within 2 to 4 weeks of your initial contact with us, depending on availability. We can occasionally fit PC, network, and database troubleshooting into our schedule within 2 weeks. However, lead times can be much longer for larger project requests like database development, websites or network installations.
Volunteer availability depends on the project skill set needed and if there is immediate interest among our current volunteer pool. A volunteer match can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 months. Call our hands on services project coordinator at 206.286.8880 to locate the most appropriate and timely resource possible to meet your organization's technology needs.
I am having a technology emergency and need help right away. Can an NPower consultant help?
NPower is not adequately staffed to provide emergency troubleshooting services. Our consultants are generally working in the field on technology projects. If we have staff with available time we can make a "best effort" to help you through a trouble spot. However, you can often find faster service through self-help or assisted help from the manufacturer or publisher of your hardware or software.
I am having a technology emergency and need help right away. Can an NPower volunteer help me?
Typically no, usually it takes longer than "emergency time" to find a volunteer with the right talents, time, and interest. So working with a volunteer is best suited for planned out projects or tutoring needs.
Do you offer tech support?
While we can't guarantee "emergency" availability for fixing computer problems, we can generally respond to a computer network or PC support request within 3 to 5 days of your call. As a better alternative to being in constant crisis, an agency can sign up for NPower scheduled support services to have regular technician visits to troubleshoot technical problems and provide ongoing support.
Is consulting free?
No, consulting is not free, but being a nonprofit ourselves NPower can subsidize services about 50% depending on your agency budget. See our Rates.
Do I have to be a member to use consulting?
No. Consulting services are available to 501(c)(3) public charities (except places of worship) in the King, Pierce & Snohomish counties of Washington state. However, NPower membership may be advantageous for your organization, offering consulting services at a lower member rate.
Are NPower volunteer services free?
Yes, NPower volunteers are free to NPower members. You may want to consider becoming an NPower member if you are planning on engaging in NPower's volunteer matching, consulting and/or technology training services. Non-members can also use www.volunteermatch.org to locate a volunteer.
Is volunteer matching only available to members?
Yes, volunteer matching services are only available to NPower members. If you do not plan on becoming an NPower member, which offers discounts on consulting and training services, we recommend trying to find a volunteer through www.volunteermatch.org.
How do I choose between working with a volunteer or a consultant?
Projects that are highly technical and involve lots of intensive coordination with an agency's staff are not always a great fit for volunteers. Also, projects that take a greater amount of time and duration are better suited to a paid consulting engagement as volunteer availability may be subject to change. So bigger projects like network migrations and installations are often better suited to consultants while smaller projects like installing a peer-to-peer network or adding web pages to an existing site may work well with a volunteer. Give our account manager a call at 206.286.8880 for advice on which resource will be the best match for your project.
Can you recommend hardware to buy?
Yes. Software too! We don't endorse particular vendors but instead work with you to determine your system requirements and budget. We then will work to find the best vendor based on these factors. Generally, we do this type of work as part of a computer network or database project.
Can you help us plan for technology and approach funders?
Yes. This process can be intensive (strategic) or minimal (tactical) technology planning. For instance, if you're just interested in planning, budgeting and fundraising for a technology project (a computer network this year or replacing hardware) then we can help write an assessment and budget that can be used as a fundraising tool. We also provide strategic technology planning for one to three years of organizational tech projects, training, upgrades and maintenance and provide a comprehensive written plan with budgets that again can be a great fundraising tool.
