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Case Study

How Salvation Army Trading Company Transformed IT Efficiency with Applixure: A Learning for the Non-Profit Sector

Introduction

In the non-profit sector, where every resource counts, operational efficiency and cost savings are crucial. The Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL), part of the renowned charity, exemplifies how a non-profit organisation can overcome IT challenges and improve operational effectiveness by adopting the right tools. Managing over 250 shops, donation centres, and recycling programs, SATCoL generates millions annually to support the larger mission of The Salvation Army. However, like many non-profits, it faced the challenge of doing more with less, especially in its IT operations.

This case study highlights how SATCoL leveraged a new proactive approach, with the help of Applixure and their tools, to help overcome IT obstacles, providing valuable lessons for other non-profits striving to improve efficiency, manage costs, and achieve better outcomes.

Challenges Faced by SATCoL's IT Department

For non-profits, limited budgets and stretched resources are often a reality. SATCoL’s IT team, led by Henry Allen, faced a range of common challenges, reflecting the difficulties many non-profits encounter:

  • Aging IT Infrastructure: With a tight budget, SATCoL relied on older devices, leading to frequent hardware failures and performance issues. Henry explains, “A lot of the equipment we had was quite dated and starting to fail, which caused real issues with staff working effectively. We were even at the point where we had to take parts from some machines to make others functional.”
  • Limited Visibility into Device Health: Like many non-profits operating with lean IT teams, SATCoL lacked a clear, real-time view of their devices' performance and health. This limited their ability to manage and address issues before they impacted staff productivity. Henry recalled, “We were often operating blind. We didn’t have reliable data on what devices were doing, and it would take a lot of time to gather any insight.”
  • Reactive IT Support: The team was often forced to react to problems reported by users rather than anticipating and preventing them. This reactive approach increased downtime and eroded end-user satisfaction. “We could only fix things once the users reported them,” Henry said. “It was slow and frustrating for everyone involved.”
  • Struggles with Data Collection for Decision Making: Without an effective way to gather real-time data on device performance, SATCoL struggled to justify hardware investments or determine when upgrades were truly necessary. “When end users asked for higher-spec machines, we had no way to prove if it was actually needed or not,” Henry noted. “It was almost impossible to collect the data we needed.”
The Applixure Solution for Non-Profits

For non-profits, finding cost-effective solutions that deliver impactful results is essential. Applixure’s Digital Employee Experience (DEX) tools enabled SATCoL to revolutionize its IT management and overcome many of these challenges, lessons that can be applied across the sector.

Key benefits included:

  • Real-Time Device Monitoring: Applixure provided SATCoL with real-time visibility into device health and performance across its widely distributed locations. This level of oversight allowed the IT team to address issues such as memory usage or battery degradation proactively preventing disruptions to productivity. “For the first time, we had a real-time, up-to-date picture of our entire IT estate,” Henry said. “We could see exactly what was happening on all our machines, and that changed everything.”
  • Improved Device Lifecycle Management: In the non-profit sector, extending the life of devices is critical for controlling costs. Applixure’s insights enabled SATCoL to manage devices more effectively by making minor upgrades, such as replacing batteries, rather than resorting to expensive replacements. This approach also supported SATCoL's sustainability goals. “Applixure showed us how we could sweat the assets longer by making small changes instead of rushing to replace devices,” Henry explained. “That was a big win for our budget and our environmental goals.”
  • Proactive IT Support: The platform enabled the IT team to detect and resolve issues before users even noticed them, ensuring uninterrupted productivity for staff and volunteers. “We went from always being on the back foot, reacting to problems, to actually solving issues before they caused disruptions,” Henry noted. “It’s been a game changer for our whole team.”
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Applixure provided comprehensive, real-time data, allowing the team to see exactly how devices were being used. This data helped the IT team debunk unnecessary requests for high-spec machines and justify when upgrades were actually needed, a vital improvement for a non-profit working with a limited budget. “With Applixure, we could finally make decisions based on hard data,” Henry said. “We were able to prove that some requests for high-spec devices weren’t necessary, and that saved us a lot of money.”
Results Achieved

SATCoL's transformation through Applixure is a powerful example of how non-profits can enhance their IT operations without significant financial investment. The results include:

  • Increased IT Efficiency: By using Applixure’s real-time insights, the IT team now resolves issues faster and more accurately. This allows them to focus on strategic tasks rather than constantly reacting to reported problems, an essential shift for resource-constrained non-profits. “The time we save now is invaluable,” Henry remarked. “We’re no longer stuck firefighting, we can actually plan and work proactively.”
  • Cost Savings: SATCoL’s ability to extend device lifecycles and avoid unnecessary hardware purchases saved significant capital, which can now be redirected toward the organization's mission. For any non-profit, such savings are critical in maintaining financial sustainability. “We’ve stretched our budget so much further,” Henry said. “We’re not replacing devices nearly as often, and that’s huge for us.”
  • Improved End-User Satisfaction: The proactive approach to IT management led to fewer disruptions, allowing staff and volunteers to focus on their work. This improvement in user satisfaction directly enhances the productivity and morale of the organization’s workforce. “Staff are happier because they’re not dealing with constant IT issues,” Henry added. “It’s made their jobs easier and more efficient.”
  • Stronger Business Case for IT Investments: Armed with data from Applixure, SATCoL's IT team was able to present a compelling, evidence-based case for ongoing IT investments. For non-profits, this kind of clear justification is crucial when securing limited funding. “With Applixure’s data, we could show leadership exactly where the issues were and how we were solving them,” Henry noted. “It made getting approval for IT investments so much easier.”
Key Lessons for Non-Profits: Tips from Henry Allen

Henry Allen’s experience with Applixure offers several lessons for IT leaders in the non-profit sector:

  1. Ensure You Have the Right Information and Tools: Non-profits, in particular, need reliable data to make informed decisions. “Without accurate information, you’re just guessing,” Henry emphasized. “You need tools that give you the right data, or you’ll always be on the back foot.”
  2. Proactive Problem Solving: Rather than waiting for problems to arise, Henry advocates for adopting tools that allow IT teams to solve issues before they impact end users. “Fixing problems before they cause disruptions has been a huge improvement for us,” he said.
  3. Extend Device Lifecycles: Maximize the use of existing hardware by making small upgrades like battery replacements or memory expansion, instead of defaulting to costly replacements. “We’ve saved a lot of money by extending device life,” Henry noted. “It’s a strategy every non-profit should consider.”
  4. Support Your IT Team with the Right Tools: Efficient and happy IT staff can make a tremendous difference in an organization’s overall productivity. “If you give your IT team the tools to do their job well, it makes the entire organization more efficient,” Henry explained.
  5. Present Data-Driven Cases for IT Investments: In a non-profit, securing funding for IT can be a challenge. Henry advises using clear, data-backed reports to justify IT investments. “We were able to show exactly where we were saving money and where improvements were happening,” Henry said. “That data made all the difference.”
  6. Look for Soft Savings: Tools like Applixure provide not only direct cost savings but also soft savings like reduced helpdesk demand or improved efficiency. “It’s not just about saving money on hardware,” Henry pointed out. “It’s also about saving time and improving overall productivity.”
  7. Build Strong Relationships with End Users: Non-profits often rely on remote or distributed teams. Henry highlighted the importance of resolving IT issues before users notice them, which builds trust and improves collaboration across the organization. “If you’re fixing problems before users even realize they exist, it goes a long way in building trust,” he said.
The Value of the Health Check for Non-Profits

Henry emphasized how Applixure’s health check was pivotal in improving SATCoL’s IT operations. Here’s why this step can benefit other non-profits:

  • Eye-Opening Insights: The health check provided SATCoL with a detailed picture of their IT environment, revealing performance issues and inefficiencies that had gone unnoticed. “The health check gave us insights we hadn’t had before,” Henry noted. “It opened our eyes to the actual condition of our IT estate.”
  • Crucial for Decision Making: Armed with the health check report, Henry was able to build a compelling case for adopting Applixure, helping secure leadership buy-in. “The health check was key in convincing our leadership that we needed Applixure,” Henry explained. “It laid everything out clearly.”
  • Encouragement to Others: Henry recommended that other non-profits take advantage of health checks to get a clearer picture of their IT infrastructure. “If you don’t know what’s happening with your devices, you can’t make informed decisions,” Henry said. “The health check is a must.”
  • Foundation for Ongoing Improvement: The health check didn’t just give SATCoL insights into their current IT environment, it also laid the groundwork for long-term, proactive improvements. “It’s given us a solid foundation to build on,” Henry said.
Conclusion

SATCoL's success with Applixure offers a powerful example for other non-profits looking to improve their IT operations while controlling costs. By shifting from reactive IT support to a proactive, data-driven approach, SATCoL achieved significant operational improvements that directly support its mission.

For non-profits, leveraging tools like Applixure allows them to maximize limited resources, extend the life of equipment, and reduce operational costs, ultimately freeing up more funds to drive the organization’s core goals. SATCoL's journey demonstrates that with the right approach, even organizations with limited budgets can achieve transformative IT improvements

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Henry Allen

Henry Allen

Service Desk and End User Computing Manager Salvation Army Trading Company

The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) manages charity shops, donation centers, and a network of clothing banks to encourage recycling and reduce waste. Profits from these activities directly support The Salvation Army’s charitable work, including helping those experiencing homelessness, supporting victims of human trafficking, and providing emergency assistance. SATCoL also leads innovative recycling initiatives to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact while contributing to meaningful social change.

Applixure is a B2B SaaS solution that provides IT with always up-to-date visibility of how computers and software are serving employees. It pulls the relevant data into intuitive dashboards and clearly indicates high-impact yet easy-to-fix issues - enabling your IT to be more proactive. Set-up is quick, so you can start reaping the benefits almost overnight. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Finland, Applixure is trusted by over 1000 companies and managed service providers (MSPs). Give your IT the visibility it needs to improve your digital employee experience with Applixure.