What Happened to ITSUVO?
The Cultrix support team originally staffed ITSUVO's helpdesk. Lee Chadwick, Director of ITSUVO retired in September 2002 after successfully completing the ITSUVO project set up by the Farndon House Information Trust (FHIT).
ITSUVO was founded in 1998 from a growing demand identified in the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors. It aimed to provide affordable advice and support, helping with efficient and effective use of information communications technology (ICT).
ITSUVO CLOSURE NOTICE: September 2002
As an innovative Trust, none of the FHIT’s previous projects were planned with more than a four year life cycle, though some do continue today under the wing of adoptive organisations. In August 2002 after four years operation, facts and events combined led the FHIT trustees to close the ITSUVO project. It is worth summarising some of their reasons:
After fourteen years creating and managing projects, ITSUVO’s director Lee Chadwick had earlier announced his decision to step down by the year end. Nevertheless recognising the value of the project, Trustees had planned for its continuation.
However by late August 2002, and despite over a year’s effort, the Trust had been unable to identify a potential source of the £30k of annual core funding required to enable ITSUVO to maintain standards and continue to provide affordable ICT support to small, poorly resourced groups.
It had become increasingly clear that access to substantial support for an agency such as ITSUVO from Government was improbable in the near to mid-term future.
To fill this income gap, ITSUVO would have had to find and service a wealthier client base, almost certainly including the commercial sector. This was not the market-base for which FHIT had created the ITSUVO project or its preferred area of activity.
ITSUVO’s landlords, English Partnerships, sold out to DTZ which then gave notice of a 75% increase in rent.
ITSUVO staff were progressively frustrated by the near regressive ICT culture of part of the voluntary sector. This in combination with increasing financial pressure precipitated the inevitable decision.
Trustees agreed that there remained insufficient time before the year end in which to satisfactorily resolve these issues. They therefore had no responsible choice other than to close the project. Clients and suppliers were given notice of their decision which came into effect at ITSUVO’s September 30 financial year end. All financial obligations were met in full to staff, clients and suppliers, the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.
ITSUVO Annual Report 2002
In its Annual Report 2002, ITSUVO mentioned the founders of Cultrix.
Andrew Barratt
Joined fulltime in July 2001, also on a one-year placement from Bradford University Department of Computing. He played a significant role in the development of our managed network services.
Shaun Wilders
Joined fulltime as assistant to Joanne Cheeseman in August, also on a one-year placement from Bradford University Department of Cybernetics.
Cultrix was set up to continue support to ITSUVO clients, and aimed to lower support costs by making better use of emerging broadband technologies.