Suppliers Directory

appiChar and Lasa team up to save the popular IT ‘Suppliers Directory'

appiChar has teamed up with the charity, Lasa, to help ensure Lasa's popular online Suppliers Directory remains a free service. The Suppliers Directory is a searchable directory of ICT suppliers who provide goods and services to the voluntary and community sector in England.

Inspired by the U.S. site Techfinder, Lasa partnered up with NTEN and Compumentor to develop and deliver a specific English version of this resource. The Directory received initial funding from Capacitybuilders' ChangeUp programme.

Following the close of Capacitybuilders' funding the future of the Suppliers Directory is now under threat; appiChar's support will provide significant help towards the continuation of this valuable service. Aba Maison, from Lasa's Information Systems Team said:

"We are absolutely delighted that appiChar has come on board. Without support like this we will be unable to offer the Suppliers' Directory as a free service to the voluntary and community sector. Support like this is absolutely vital if we are to keep our service open and accessible."

Ian Ryder, appiChar's Managing Director, said:

"The Suppliers' Directory is very important for the charity sector because companies are checked by Lasa before they can be listed. Most directories are paid for by the listed supplier with no form of checking so charities don't necessarily know if they have a track record in the sector. When we heard funds were needed to keep it running we were more than happy to help. As a company we're committed to improving IT in the not-for-profit sector."

What users say:

"Just what we need - I often struggle to find support and being searchable by postcode is excellent too."

"Its good you ask for references at least then I know there has been some kind of vetting and I'm less likely to be ripped off."

The Directory lists over 130 suppliers across England offering over 251 services.

Visit the directory at http://www.suppliersdirectory.org.uk/