The Development of eRiding | The NinthBridge eRider Model | The NinthBridge eRiders Network | eRider Technology Support Services

The Development of eRiding

NinthBridge’s eRiders solution to the technology support needs of NGOs merges its many years of providing support to EngenderHealth offices with key features of the Circuit Riding model of technology support for nonprofits. In its development in the United States, Circuit Riders — individuals or small groups that assist several nonprofits in a particular region or service sector — were characterized by a unique and compelling set of practice skills and principles, including:

• Wide ranging technology, assessment, planning and communication skills;

• Practice models that work closely with the staff of the agencies to ensure that technology tools and methods appropriate to the agency’s nonprofit mission are applied,

• A tradition of sharing their advice and experience freely and widely with their peers.

While these skills are attuned to the needs of small and mid-sized nonprofits throughout the US, they have particular appeal to the international nonprofit community, considering their low-resource environments and lack of access to qualified tech support.

The NinthBridge eRider Model

NinthBridge has applied the essential principles to Circuit Riding to provide tech support to EngenderHealth, client NGOs, government ministries and others in nearly thirty countries at various times over the past 6 years.

• NinthBridge’s uses locally hired eRider techies with a broad skill base, which includes technology, consulting and planning skills.

• While an eRider can provide dedicated service to a single NGO, more often they provide technology support and training on a "roaming" basis to a group of agencies in a specific sector or region.

• Through sharing the cost of the eRider an appropriate level of tech support is made affordable to the NGOs. Often a private foundation or government mission will fund a NinthBridge eRider to provide services to its grantees.

The NinthBridge eRiders Network

Although there are slight differences in its application from region to region, NinthBridge’s eRiders network includes three layers,

• The Network Hub, based in New York City, is the critical pillar on which the effectiveness and cohesiveness of the network is based. In addition to the tasks of network development, promotion and support, the Hub establishes the technology standards that guide the tech support efforts of the local eRiders. These standards — routinely updated as technologies evolve — are a critical means of ensuring consistent and efficient systems able to operate in low-resource settings. Often working in isolation, the Regional Liaisons and eRiders depend on the up-to-date standards, communications and support that the hub provides.

• Regional Liaisons, increasingly referred to as "SupeRiders", play a critically important and varied role. Part "techie", part diplomat, part administrator and part entrepreneur, the Regional Liaisons essentially manage the eRiders services for a particular region. They forge relationships with local NGOs and other clients, recruit and train eRider techies, and provide higher-level consultation to clients, when necessary.

• eRiders are the locally based tech support and staff training resources for NGOs and other client agencies. They rely on a broad skill base that includes technology, consulting, strategic planning and other skills relevant to nonprofits. Working with the standards and guidance provided by the network hub, the eRiders use ingenuity and resourcefulness to apply them to the specific local environment and needs of the client NGO. A single full-time eRider can support between 8 and 16 small or medium sized agencies, depending on the level of agency need and geographical dispersion.

This web site will soon include a world map indicating the countries and regions in which NinthBridge works. Please contact Ric Plaisance at NinthBridge with any questions that you might have.

eRider Technology Support Services

While NinthBridge’s eRider Technology Support Services can be customized to an NGO’s specific needs, services generally include:

Network & PC Services

• Network installation services, including setting up a LAN, installing and maintaining gateways and routers, installing firewalls, establishing shared Internet connections; setting up agency mail services, etc.

• System configuration management, including maintenance of up-to-date information about each server and workstation, to include operating system data, hardware specifications, installed software, license information, drivers, etc.

• Backup and recovery assistance, including the establishment of appropriate backup procedures for the office staff to implement. Training of staff in the backup procedures will be provided. Should data loss result, NinthBridge will assist in the restoration of system and data files.

• General system maintenance, including tests of system performance for the network and individual workstations, with an appropriate response to any system problems

• Equipment troubleshooting and basic system repairs, with recommendation to replace rather than repair equipment, as necessary

Planning Services

• Assessment of technology needs, providing recommendations and assisting with the procurement and installation of hardware and software components

• The discussion with staff of technology trends, developments and opportunities that may impact on the agency's operation

• Assistance with obtaining the right level of internet connectivity for your agency

Staff Training Services

• Staff training services in basic PC usage, in the use of common office applications, and in the use of specialized applications