What does IT all cost?

by by Mark Walker <mark@scip.org.uk>

Mark Walker, Communications Officer for PACT Community Projects in Sussex, investigated the costs of getting online for his organisation. This article was written in 1997.

Every charity, whether small, medium or large, has a variety of demands on its resources. We don't have large sums of money to invest in new ideas, but we can look at ways of building our expertise in a progressive and affordable way. Developing the use of Internet is no different - it requires a planned approach, with realistic goals and regular review against the benefits to be gained.

Initial costs

At least a 486 computer or equivalent - generally Macintosh or PC
A telephone line - new or existing
An Internet account
A modem
At least one person interested in the Internet!
Software

Suggested starting point

£ 200 upgrading computer to 486 - if necessary
£ 120 on a 28,800 bps modem
£10 for cable and adaptors for existing phone line
£ 10 on "The Rough Guide to the Internet' and a couple of Internet magazines

On-going costs

Training
A person to manage the work - possibly an existing IT support worker
Telephone calls
Internet account subscription
Summary of on-going costs:

An average spend might be:

£ 20 a month telephone bills
£ 15 a month Internet account
£ 150 per annum on staff training, including 'Idiot's Guide to Internet'
£ 20/30 per year subscription to an Internet magazine to keep up with what's going on.

Is it worth it?

Adopting the Internet requires an organisation to consider a variety of costs, and to assess the potential benefits against these costs.

As a bottom line, if you already have a computer the minimum cost of setting up is about £200, with on-going costs of around £250 - 300 per annum.

You will also need to consider the time needed to develop the work - whether paid or unpaid - and the training needs of other staff. In the long term this may require additional staff time.

Not everyone can afford it, but a larger organisation could consider could be looking at initial costs of around £2,500, and on-going costs in the order of £ 25,000 - 30,000 per annum. This would include dedicated staff time and support costs as new services and uses develop.

In either case the money could be found by savings in phone calls, postage and free information currently paid for, or raised as a lump sum as a fund-raising task.

This is, by necessity, a limited view of what is a rapidly changing situation. Until telephone calls are free and Internet accounts supplied free (don't hold your breath) there will be recurring costs, and these will continue to be barriers for many individuals and organisations.

What use is the Internet? by Mark Walker