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MSDN: Tell us about Givedon and the services you offer.
Leonard: Givedon is a not-for-profit organization based in London, England, that uses Web technologies to raise money for charities. Users can access different services on the Web, such as search, through our Web site or toolbar. We then raise money through affiliate or partnership agreements, and then we donate directly to the charities that our users choose. One hundred percent of the money we raise from search activity goes to charity.
MSDN: What was the biggest challenge Givedon faced prior to implementing the Windows Azure platform?
Shane: We needed a fast, scalable, and global platform to run our Web site and offer lightning-fast performance to users-it doesn't matter how charitable people are; if we can't offer a fast, stable service, people won't use Givedon. However, as a not-for-profit organization, cost-efficiency isn't an option-it's a necessity. We previously hosted the site on GoDaddy, but it was slow and lacked functionality. In particular, we were limited in our ability to offer even simple search functionality, and we also found it difficult to offer a service in multiple languages.
MSDN: Can you describe the solution you built with Windows Azure to help address your need for cost-effective scalability?
Shane: We redesigned our Web site and migrated it to the Windows Azure platform with the help of our technology partner BitStar. The architecture is simple: we use Web roles, Windows Azure Table storage to store data, and Windows Azure Blob storage to store files. We've expanded Givedon to include maps, news, images, videos, and shopping, helping ensure that we have a more complete search offering.
MSDN: What makes your solution unique?
Shane: Only founded in February 2010, we are a young organization. Yet still, with Windows Azure, we can showcase a high-quality offering. Windows Azure has been a critical part in getting our organization on the road to success.
MSDN: Have you offered your services to any new customer markets since implementing Givedon on Windows Azure?
Shane: Yes. Thanks to Windows Azure, we added functionality in 14 languages and support 24 countries now.
MSDN: Have you also seen an increase in money raised for charities since implementing Windows Azure?
Shane: The Windows Azure implementation has had a meaningful impact on our organization. We are now much better placed to showcase our services and offer charities a robust platform for developing a new fundraising channel. Furthermore, feedback from other critical partners has been overwhelmingly positive.
MSDN: What are some of the key benefits Givedon has seen since implementing Windows Azure?
Shane: By using Windows Azure, we can provide people with a service that is fast enough to attract the most quality-conscience user. But even more importantly, we value being on a cloud-computing platform that will allow us to scale rapidly and cost-effectively as more and more users start to use Givedon; we can add new Web roles and increase the responsiveness of our application with a single click. Also, we don't have to worry about managing the infrastructure and can instead focus on the next critical steps of our business: building partnerships with consumer technology companies, deploying our service to charities, and attracting corporate sponsors.
Read more Windows Azure customer success stories, visit: www.windowsazure.com/evidence
Visit Givedon at: www.givedon.org
RELIEF ORGANISATION FOR HANDICAPPED
HINDUPUR
1. Referral services and clothes for Mentally retarded children
Referral services (Doctors, transportation) : Rs. 1,000
Clothes : Rs. 500
Total : Rs. 1,500/-
2. Assistive devices for disabled persons
a. Tricycle (each) : Rs. 4,000/-
b. Braille equipment (Walking stick, Braille slate, Stylus, Tyler frame, watch): Rs. 2,000/-
c. Tape recorders for learning for Blind children with 20 cassettes: Rs. 5,000
d. Hearing aid (each): Rs. 5,000
3. Sponsorship for orphan, HIV/AIDS parents and single parent and poor disabled children:
Educational material : Rs. 150
Food, clothing and education : Rs. 3,600
Tours : Rs. 1,000
Miscellaneous costs : Rs. 300
Total : Rs. 5,050
4. Medical camps in rural villages (300-350 people per camp):
Transportation
Doctor’s consultation fees
Medicines
Total (inclusive of contingencies) : Rs. 5,000
5. Vocational training for Orthopedically Handicapped, Hearing impaired and blind persons:
Raw material charges Rs. 2,000
Instructor charges Rs. 800
Asst. Instructor charges Rs. 500
Exposure visit Rs. 350
Miscellaneous expenses Rs. 400
Total Rs. 4,050
Anantapur District is a drought-affected, rain shadow area with erratic rainfall with erasing the common livelihood source of the people. The condition of the disabled persons is even more painful. In this regard as a concerned organization we wish to promote economic development of the disabled and women and education for disabled children in this area by availing your kind support and experienced advice.
We request you to provide support to our activities in this drought-hit area which will enable the disabled persons to lead a dignified life. We look forward for you Kind response.