contactLINK has been designed to be easy to use and the basics can be quickly picked up by most people.
However, in our experience, people feel more comfortable, valued and confident when provided with proper training. Training can be crucial to the system being used effectively (and sometimes to it being used at all!).
Training can be provided at any level you require.
In summary
What does it cost?
Who gets trained?
What gets covered?
How long does it take?
Where does the training happen and what’s needed?
In summary
A maximum of 6 staff at a time.
Normally 5 hours training for staff (e.g. 10am to 4pm). With an extra 1-2 hours for system administrators.
We need access to the “training room” and the computers at least one hour before the training to set up.
Staff should each have a separate computer to learn on.
The computers do NOT need to to be attached to your network.
INTERNET access is useful, but not necessary.
We will need a flip chart and/or wipeboard and pens.
A digital projector is useful, but not necessary.
Each machine must have Microsoft Access loaded.
Phones diverted and visitors handled by someone else.
Please make sure that all staff are aware of when the training starts and ends, that they should avoid doing regular work during that time, what the training will be covering (broadly) and that there is paid for phone support (from ITsorted) after the training.
Please make sure that well before the training you read Where does the training happen and what’s needed?
What does it cost?
Training is at £55 per hour – plus any travel expenses.
- VAT is NOT chargeable
- All prices and rates are for voluntary and not for profit organisations with support contract (others on request)
- Travel expenses is for standard travel (we try to keep the cost low), does NOT include travel time, but may include accommodation if required
- All prices and rates are valid until 1/1/2018
Who gets trained?
Most organisations choose option A or B
| option A | option B | option C |
| We train ALL users |
We train selected user(s)… they then train others in-house |
Selected user(s) teach themselves
… they then train others in-house |
We train up to a maximum of 6 staff at a time.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
What gets covered?
We have divided the training into 6 sessions with approximate times. In reality sessions overlap and, depending upon the features you need, training times can vary considerably.
After talking with you we’ll give you a much clearer idea of what might be needed and what we recommend.
| approx mins | ||
| 1 | General intro and looking up information | 90 |
| 2 | Updating contact information | 45 |
| 3 | Mailshots and categories | 45 |
| 4 | Managing events, membership, products etc | 45 |
| 5 | Overview and strategy. Matching contactLINK to your needs and managing the process |
45 |
| 6 | Administrator processes | 60 |
Not all users need attend all sessions. For example, receptionists may only need sessions 1 and 2. General users may not require sessions 5 or 6.
Wherever possible we will train your staff on copies of your real data.
Feel free to contact us for more detailed information or with any questions.
How long does it take?
(please also refer to the section above)
A maximum of 6 staff at a time.
We suggest 5 hours training for staff.
Then an extra hour for anyone who will be taking on an administrative role with contactLINK (of which there needs to be at least one, ideally two and possibly more).
Where does the training happen and what’s needed?
For more than 2 or 3 people, we recommend training face-to-face … so at your site or a hired training room.
However, we can also provide training from a distance – using remote-access and Skype or a hands-free phone. We would need to discuss this with you as it will depend upon a number of factors.
The room
A quiet room is essential and all staff should be clear that the day is exclusively for training – so no work distractions or interruptions.
We require access to the training room and the computers at least one hour before the training.
We load a separate stand-alone copy of contactLINK onto each machine, so that everyone has their own separate copy to train on freely.
At the end of the day we will clear the computers and, if appropriate, install a live copy of contactLINK on your server.
The computers
Wherever possible everyone should have a separate computer to learn on – “we learn best when we do it ourselves.”
Ideally they should be set up as closely to each staff’s workstation as possible i.e. if they use a mouse, then provide a mouse in the training room.
The computers do NOT need to to be attached to your network.
INTERNET access is useful, but not necessary.
Each machine must have Microsoft Access loaded.
Other preparation
A flip chart and/or wipeboard and pens will be needed.
A digital projector is useful, but not necessary.
Make sure that all phones are diverted and all visitors are handled by someone else.
Make sure that all staff are aware of how long the training will be, when it starts, what it will be covering (broadly) and that there is paid for phone support (from ITsorted) after the training.
Please contact us if you have any questions.