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Bespoke Software Solutions for Purpose-led Companies and Charities

Living in an age where technology continuously re-invents the way we interact and function, the importance of custom software solutions for purpose-led organisations and charities is second to none. The ready-made software solutions, although abundant and plenty in reach, mostly do not cater to the inherent challenges and unique needs of these organisations. This is where the true value of bespoke software comes into play. Custom software development is about creating tools and solutions that p

Understanding Software Types: A Closer Look at Bespoke Software Services and COTS Solutions

Navigating through the software world is an adventure. Essentially at least two main options are steering the course: Bespoke software services and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software. So, dig in below, keep those glasses on, and remember this: failing to understand these differences could potentially be one of the most costly mistakes a business could make. COTS software, as the name suggests, is off-the-shelf and ready for immediate use as soon as it's purchased. The solutions are develo

Integrating Artificial Intelligence with App Development

In the fast-paced digital world, staying ahead with technology-driven solutions is a necessity, not a luxury. Many organisations find themselves needing to enhance user engagement, operations, and outlook with intelligent solutions. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI, transcending its buzzword status, is transforming the mobile application domain, endowing creators with previously inconceivable tools and insights. AI is situated at the crux of innovation and efficiency, capable of detailed

Day 25 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Successes and Looking to the Future of 'Tech for Good'

Merry Christmas, everyone! As we conclude our digital inclusion series, let's look ahead with hope and recognition of the real progress being made. Throughout our series, we've faced some hard truths about 'Tech for Good'. We've seen gaps and challenges, but today, let's also acknowledge the bright spots where technology genuinely serves society. There are workplaces that have taken lessons from the pandemic to heart, continuing to prioritise and improve accessibility. Their commitment shows t

Day 24 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Reflecting on the past 24 days.

Reflecting on Our 'Tech for Good' Reality Check

As we near the end of our series, our special ‘Tech for Good Reality Checks’ advent series has been a journey through the complexities and challenges of implementing technology for societal benefit. Here's a summary of the things we went through: We started by examining challenges in digital Inclusion and accessibility, going through public sector digital accessibility struggles and businesses' reluctance for inclusive tech, followed by discussions on the decline of digital and physical accessi

Ethical Challenges in AI for Social Good

It’s day 23, and we’re diving into the ethical challenges of using AI for social good. While AI has the potential to benefit society, it’s important to consider the ethical implications. For instance, facial recognition technology used for humanitarian purposes raises privacy concerns and the risk of misuse. AI interventions in public services like healthcare and education lead to complex ethical dilemmas, such as who to hold accountable for upholding standards, especially when things go wrong.

Day 22 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. AI and charities.

AI in Charities – Potential vs Reality

Welcome to day 22 of our advent calendar. Today, we’re looking at the gap between AI’s potential and UK charities' approach to it. While AI offers multiple different possibilities, its implementation in the charity sector often falls short. Charities do recognise AI's relevance, with 78% agreeing it could transform their work, yet 73% feel unprepared for it. But what's driving these numbers? One of the big challenges here is the rate at which AI is evolving relative to other technology. There

Digital Skills Gap in Charities

On day 21 of our advent post series, let's address the digital skills gap in charities. Charities are keen to embrace digital, but many face a significant barrier: a lack of digital skills. The Charity Digital Skills Report reveals that more than half of charities have no strategic approach to digital. This gap naturally affects their ability to use technology effectively, e.g. they might struggle to manage their donors' data using online tools or to engage with their audience on social media.

Tech Salaries vs Social Impact

Welcome to day 20 of our Christmas countdown series. Before you dash out to do some panicked last-minute Christmas shopping, why not spend a minute to ponder an interesting problem in the tech world: the huge contrast between high tech salaries and software engineers' actual social impact. Okay, probably not a lot of people ponder this casually very often, but hear us out. In the tech industry, salaries, especially for software engineers, can be astronomical. This is especially true in sector

Small Charities' Struggle with Digital Tech

Welcome to day 19 of our 'Tech for Good reality checks' series. Today, we explore different challenges small charities face in terms of utilising digital technology. Small charities operate on tight budgets and often lack the resources and expertise needed for effective digital transformation. Most can't afford to compete with other companies hiring in-house software engineers, and they can only afford to pay less than for-profit companies working with external agencies. Many charities rely on

Day 18 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Get your Act together.

Why the UK's Digital Accessibility Laws Lack Enforcement

Welcome back everyone to day 18 of our advent post series! Yesterday, we looked at accessibility issues on public sector websites. Today, we’re diving deeper to understand why these regulations aren’t enforced effectively in the UK, especially when compared to the approach in the United States. In the UK, the Public Sector Bodies Act was established to ensure digital inclusivity. The big challenge seems to be a lack of tangible consequences for non-compliance. In the US, they have the Americans

Accessibility Failures in Public Sector Websites

Today, on day 17 of our Tech for Good reality checks Christmas countdown series, we're spotlighting a critical issue that often gets overlooked: the failure of many public sector websites to meet basic accessibility standards. First and foremost, what is the Public Sector Bodies Act and why should we care about it? Imagine trying to access vital public services online – like applying for housing, scheduling healthcare appointments, or even just checking when bin day is – but finding the website

Day 16 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. A case study on Etsy.

The Transformation of Etsy - A Case Study

Hey everyone, welcome to day 16 of our series! If you joined us for yesterday's post, you'll remember we explored the challenge many Tech for Good companies face: would they compromise on their values in order to stay profitable and grow? Today's post is a follow-up on that, and we're looking at a real-world example: Etsy. Our case study aims to highlight how a well-intentioned platform crumbled because of its overly profit-seeking behaviour. Etsy started out as a platform celebrating handmade

Day 15 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Tech for Good, values, and business viability.

Balancing Values and Business Viability in the Tech for Good Sector

Welcome to day 15 of our Tech for Good reality checks series. Today, we're looking at a tough reality many Tech for Good businesses face. Yes, we're talking about the risk of limiting their own growth by prioritising their values over broader market opportunities. A key part of being a Tech for Good initiative is being driven by a strong sense of purpose. However, as part of that, many Tech for Good organisations often choose to collaborate only with businesses that share their values. This app

The Erosion of Trust in B Corp Certifications

Welcome to day 14 of our Christmas countdown, where we take a hard look at B Corp. It's an organisation that initially gained respect for recognising businesses with a strong commitment to social and environmental performance. B Corp's certifications were seen as a testament to a company's genuine dedication to positive change. However, recent decisions have cast a shadow over its credibility. The controversy ignited with B Corp's decision to certify Nestle, a company with a history of question

Day 13 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. When investment dilutes 'Tech for Good's' social mission.

The Compromise of Social Goals in 'Tech for Good'

Welcome to day 13 of our special advent series, where we examine a challenge in scaling Tech for Good startups: how the influx of investment can overshadow their original social impact goals. Many Tech for Good companies begin with a passionate commitment to societal improvement. They develop innovative solutions, build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), and gather a dedicated user base, all fuelled by a desire to make a positive difference. But the next step – scaling up – often brings a signifi

Day 12 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Social media's divergence from 'Tech for Good'.

From Connecting to Dividing – The Downfall of Social Media

Welcome to day 12 of our advent series. Today, we'll look at enshittification in the context of social networks. First, let’s recap Cory Doctorow’s definition: 💡'Here is how platforms die: first, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, they die.' It’s really interesting to apply this to social networks because they often market th

The Myth of Inherent Tech Accessibility

On day 11 of our special advent series on Tech for Good reality checks, let’s bust an interesting myth: technology is not inherently accessible. There’s a common misconception that new technology automatically equates to improved accessibility, but this isn't always true. For instance, businesses and local authorities who need to cut costs are pressured to move their services online, asking customers to navigate websites or interact with chatbots for customer service. This change makes some ser

Social Media is 'Tech for Bad'

Welcome to day 10 of our 'Tech for Good reality checks' series, where we're looking at the paradoxical nature of social media - does it connect or isolate people? Social media platforms, while never explicitly branding themselves as 'Tech for Good', love to talk about their role in connecting people, fostering communities, and bringing the world closer. But let's face it – is this truly what’s happening? Many see a different picture: endless scrolling (also known as doom-scrolling), and consum

Day 9 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Enshittification in tech.

Enshittification in Tech - When 'Tech for Good' Turns into 'Tech for Worse'

Hey there! On day 9 of our advent calendar, we’re diving into a provocative topic (even at the risk of getting coal). Yes, we’re talking about the trend of 'enshittification' in the tech world, where companies, often under the guise of 'Tech for Good,' end up making the world worse. Enshittification kicks in when companies (often tech companies), having gained a substantial customer base, start prioritising cost-cutting over quality. We brought you three examples to showcase how this happens a

Day 8 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Small businesses, ethics, and accessibility.

Small Businesses and the Ethical Push for Accessibility

It's day 8 of our 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks advent calendar, and we turn our attention to small businesses and their approach to digital accessibility. For small businesses, the decision to allocate resources for accessibility might seem challenging, especially when immediate returns aren’t obvious. But here's the thing: accessibility shouldn't be viewed purely through a profit lens. As we know, inclusion is about doing the right thing – creating an inclusive environment for all p

Day 7 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Digital accessibility in large corporations

The Business Case for Accessibility in Large Corporations

Welcome to day 7 of our special advent series. Today, we're taking a look at why large businesses often miss a crucial opportunity: digital accessibility. The hard truth is that many big corporations neglect making their websites and services fully accessible. This oversight is baffling, especially considering that improving accessibility would only require a small fraction of their marketing budget. Yet, by failing to do so, they're not only limiting their customer base but also damaging their

Declining Accessibility Options

On day 6 of our advent calendar, we're reflecting more on how many changes that inadvertently made online and physical spaces more inclusive during the pandemic got rolled back. The pandemic brought a surge in tech adaptations: online platforms for work and learning, telehealth services, and virtual social interaction, just to name a few. These changes were a lifeline for many people, especially for people with disabilities, embodying the true spirit of Tech for Good. However, as life returns t

Post-Pandemic Digital Accessibility

It's day 5 of our special advent series, and we're addressing a post-pandemic setback: the decline in digital accessibility. Remember how, during the pandemic, online platforms became more accessible for people with disabilities? It was a silver lining in a challenging time. But now, as we're moving away from pandemic restrictions, this progress is slipping. For example, the option to work remotely, a lifeline for many disabled people, is being rolled back in many organisations. This not only l

Day 4 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. The gap between technical solutions and real social impact.

The Gap Between Tech and Social Impact

Hey everyone! It’s day 4 of our advent calendar, and today we're addressing a critical risk in 'Tech for Good': the failure to manage expectations. Tech for Good initiatives often come with a wave of breathless enthusiasm. Ever heard of a groundbreaking app that promises to solve a major social issue, but then... crickets? It's actually quite common. But what causes this problem? It seems like all the sensationalism overshadows critical thinking and realistic expectations. Take a groundbreakin

Day 3 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. How Tech for Good can mask old power dynamics.

Exposing Power Structures Hidden in 'Tech for Good'

Hey there! It’s day 3 of our Tech for Good reality checks advent calendar, and we’re taking a look at a critical flaw in many 'Tech for Good' initiatives: the replication of existing, exploitative power structures. Despite the buzz about innovation and change, the truth is that much of 'Tech for Good' is still entrenched in the old ways of doing things. Many of these initiatives, even the most well-intentioned, are born out of and operate within the same economic system that prioritises profit

Day 2 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Is Tech for Good the new greenwashing?

The Greenwashing Model in Tech for Good

Hello again! It’s day 2 of our special Christmas countdown where we look at concerning trends in Tech for Good. Today, we’ll be looking at a phenomenon similar to the concept of greenwashing. Just like how some companies falsely claim to be environmentally friendly, many 'Tech for Good' initiatives are more about appearances than actual impact. A good example of this is companies that purchase ‘accessibility overlay’ products and describe themselves as WCAG compliant instead of working with di

Day 1 of 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks. Welcome to our series on exploring technology's full impact on society!

Our Tech for Good Reality Checks Advent Calendar

Hello, lovely folks! As we count down to Christmas, we’re starting out on a special 25-day series where we’ll be unwrapping some harsh realities behind 'Tech for Good', the broader themes of digital inclusion, and the real-world challenges in implementing technology for societal benefit. We’ll talk about the struggles in public sector digital accessibility, the hesitance of businesses to adopt inclusive tech solutions, and how charities navigate the digital landscape. We’ll also be looking at

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