Andrew Fleck Children’s Services
How NeoLore Helps With Training & Cybersecurity
“Dealing with NeoLore is great!”
“In 2019, we switched over to SharePoint. Now, everything is cloud-based. All our systems are online, including personal, parent and child information, and all our employee databases—so obviously security is a major concern.”
Founded in 1911, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (AFCS) is one of the oldest and most diversified, multi-service early learning, childcare and family support organizations in Ontario. AFCS keeps pace with the latest developments in the early childhood education field and information technology to support the delivery of high quality, client- and child-focused services. With over 200 full-time positions spread across more than twenty locations, AFCS faces the same IT challenges as most mid-sized companies.
“Security is a major concern”
“Security has become a huge issue for us,” says Michelle Halpin, Executive Assistant and Communications Specialist, at AFCS. “In 2019, we switched over to SharePoint. Now, everything is cloud-based. All our systems are online, including personal, parent and child information, and all our employee databases—so obviously security is a major concern.” Microsoft SharePoint is a secure platform to store, organize, share, and access information from any device. An additional area impacting IT operations at AFCS is altered employee work patterns. “Since COVID, many of our employees have been working hybrid—home and office,” says Michelle, “so there are privacy issues and different demands on technology. Remember, we have many locations in various situations and needs, and we’re growing.” Among a long list of benefits, NeoLore’s approach to cybersecurity prevents a website from being hacked and spyware breaches in security walls. Also, it sends alerts regarding security issues and ensures the confidentiality of sensitive information.
The Importance of Training
Every organization has staff which has a wide range of IT experience. The challenge is to provide systematic education. “Some of our staff has minimal IT experience,” Michelle explains, “and may click something they’re not supposed to. We’re always looking at cybersecurity. NeoLore has been really great at helping us set up training.” AFCS asked NeoLore to provide staff training on the best methods to achieve online security. NeoLore developed a thirty-minute training session, followed by a Q & A. The session was recorded, and it is now used to help onboard new staff. “That training has become part of the orientation because all full-time staff have access to the drives and SharePoint,” Michelle explains. “They have to watch the webinar. Cybersecurity is important from day one.”
“We meet with them and discuss the site plan. In return, they provide some quotes and options. They ask us about our needs. Every location is different. It may be an old church, a community centre, or it can be a new building we’re setting up from scratch. We adapt to conditions, and I know that we have given NeoLore some special challenges. They look at the requirements and give us quotes. Dealing with NeoLore is great because they recognize that different locations have different needs.”
Building for a Secure Future
NeoLore Networks began assisting AFCS in March 2019. “The contract with our previous IT support company was up, so we sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP),” says Michelle. “NeoLore was successful with that RFP and they have been with us ever since.” AFCS is growing. With expansion comes renewed IT challenges. “NeoLore is helping us set up new locations,” says Michelle. “We meet with them and discuss the site plan. In return, they provide some quotes and options. They ask us about our needs. Every location is different. It may be an old church, a community centre, or it can be a new building we’re setting up from scratch. We adapt to conditions, and I know that we have given NeoLore some special challenges. They look at the requirements and give us quotes. Dealing with NeoLore is great because they recognize that different locations have different needs.” Since its founding in 2000, NeoLore Networks’ roster of dedicated services includes a guarantee that all completed projects will be on time and on budget.
The Security of a Help Desk
Technical support is as important as front-end work. IT is constantly evolving, and when applied to ever-changing business environments, support becomes more than an area of problem-solving: it can be regarded as a strategic investment. “NeoLore has been very good with their Help Desk,” says Michelle. “They respond quickly.”
“NeoLore has been very good for us”
As cybersecurity remains among the top issues impacting technology, onboarding employees with relevant training demonstrates a keen awareness of current needs and future responsibilities. With NeoLore, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services has joined with a partner for future growth. “NeoLore has been very good for us,” Michelle says. “They currently monitor all our systems, and take the time to go through the issues, whatever comes up—and their Help Desk is always there.” NeoLore cannot win a higher endorsement from AFCS, a successful, expanding organization that places significant importance on cybersecurity and training.