Ergonomic Group News

EGI & The City of Hartford Find the Path to Efficiency with NetApp

2009-03-16T00:00:00-04:00

Sunnyvale, CA – March 10, 2009 – Today, NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) announced that Bimba Manufacturing and the City of Hartford, Connecticut, have both recently implemented NetApp® virtualization and data deduplication solutions, realizing significant savings in storage requirements, overhead, and power consumption.

Bimba and Hartford have benefited from new, virtual environments, and no benefit has been so striking as the storage efficiency. Thin provisioning using NetApp FlexVol® and deduplication mean that Hartford is saving 50% on desktop images. By buying, operating, and cooling fewer racks of disks, Hartford has succeeded in its objectives of attaining cost efficiency, operating efficiently, and working greener. By eliminating 16 to 18 physical servers with direct storage, Bimba estimates it has saved $70,000 in hardware and up to $16,000 annually in energy costs alone.

Bimba Manufacturing introduced the stainless steel body cylinder over 50 years ago and has a product line today that includes air cylinders, rotary actuators, linear thrusters, rodless cylinders, flow controls, and position-sensing cylinders. Bimba’s challenge was integrating networks after acquiring another company. Bimba faced the task of integrating new users, consolidating several e-mail platforms to Microsoft® Exchange 2007, and finding a better way to manage storage space, all while maintaining an international e-commerce that requires around-the-clock availability. The company’s current setup was not up to the challenge.

“We can’t afford downtime of any kind,” said Matt Nantais, network manager at Bimba. “The existing infrastructure simply didn’t give us the scalability, capacity, redundancy, and manageability we needed for a failsafe, enterprise-wide Exchange deployment.”

Bimba Manufacturing partnered with Cyberklix, a managed services provider, for help with its platform migration and storage scalability needs. Bimba hired the Cyberklix team for their industry-wide recognition as virtualization experts, and XenServer and NetApp were a natural fit for the project. Cyberklix’s expert team helped design a virtualized infrastructure with a Citrix XenServer and NetApp storage. The XenServer platform includes the Citrix Storage Delivery Services Adapter for NetApp Data ONTAP®, a jointly developed, certified solution that streamlines management and provisioning. Bimba now has a NetApp FAS3020 with eight blades running approximately 30 virtual servers. NetApp and Citrix technologies support all Bimba’s critical systems, from Citrix XenApp and XenCenter to Microsoft Windows®, Exchange, SharePoint®, SQL Server®, and Oracle® servers.

“Like many cities, Connecticut’s Capital City needed to cut costs while still improve services and support for both the city and the school system’s needs,” said Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez. “We continue to look for ways to go green, and NetApp helped us cut energy costs and consumption.”

“Partnerships like this are the most effective ways of achieving both our information and energy goals,” added Chief Information Officer Eric Jackson.

“NetApp has features such as thin provisioning and disk deduplication that allow us to conserve as much storage space as possible,” said Jonathan Shevis, Metro Hartford Information Services Server Systems manager. “That allows me to put as much as I can in the space I have. Both in terms of our city’s green initiatives and in these times, stretching the dollar is of paramount importance.”

The City of Hartford has a longstanding relationship with the Ergonomic Group (EGI), a full service solutions provider, which is what led the city to move to NetApp virtualization to solve its storage needs. The Ergonomic Group suggested a VMware® and NetApp environment for server and desktop virtualization, largely on the strength of deduplication and NetApp multiprotocol support. A large deciding factor in the City of Hartford‘s choice for choosing the Ergonomic Group was its ability to have the entire project executed by one engineer with skills in both NetApp and VMware implementations. With NetApp, Hartford can now store a single copy of a virtual server or desktop and replicate it as needed. Hartford now runs over 40 virtual servers and over 80 virtual desktops from one NetApp FAS3020.

While the NetApp system provided simplicity and efficiency to Hartford, there were additional benefits in speed and flexibility. After the system was installed, the city suddenly needed significantly more storage for its MUNIS financial application. The FAS3020, while already serving police, fire, education, and Web services, was provisioned to support over 3.5TB of new storage. MUNIS users reported performance improvements.

“Now we work from a single console to provision and administer both servers and storage,” said Nantais. “In the past, allocating storage to a user or application might have required changing out drives or migrating data. Now the process is fast and uncomplicated.”

“Regardless of if you’re in manufacturing or in the public sector, all organizations today face similar storage issues,” said Patrick Rogers, vice president of Solutions Marketing at NetApp. “Both Bimba Manufacturing and the City of Hartford are prime examples of how organizations can cut overall costs by storing more with less disk using NetApp virtualization and deduplication technologies.”

For more information about NetApp, visit www.netapp.com.

The Ergonomic Group Receives VAR 500 Award

2008-06-26T00:00:00-04:00

Everything Channel’s VAR Business 500 Awards the Ergonomic Group, Inc. with Top Technology Practices for Storage Award

The Ergonomic Group, Inc., (EGI) was recently awarded the Top Technology Practice for Storage award by Everything Channel (formerly CMP Channel.) This coveted award is 1 of 16 Special Recognition Awards that permits Everything Channel to recognize some of the Top Solution Providers in their specific areas of expertise; with The Ergonomic Group’s being storage.

The Ergonomic Group was presented with this Storage Award by Everything Channel at their 8th annual event hosted at Gotham Hall in New York City on June 3, 2008. This event honors North America’s top technology integrators and executives.

EGI was also ranked 155 out of the top 500 Business VAR’s in North America. This ranking is based on revenue; where the Ergonomic Group, Inc., is currently listed at over $250 Million. This VAR Business 500 list contains the biggest and the best solution providers in North America’s IT reseller channel. These companies, including The Ergonomic Group, are the leading revenue producers among solution providers in the North East.

The Ergonomic Group has 4 office locations in the Northeastern territory including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. They conduct business in the areas of government, financial services, telecommunications, business services, telecom, cable companies and life sciences. EGI is certified to sell a multitude of products, solutions and professional services. EGI’s expertise spans from selling and configuration to implementation and support.

About The Ergonomic Group

EGI is a full-service technology solutions provider that combines customer choice, a service-centric approach, and a regional commitment to help organizations solve their most pressing business and IT challenges. Featuring best-of-breed technologies, a unique "easy to do business with" approach, and experience that spans the desktop to the data center, EGI develops and implements robust IT solutions in six focus areas: networking, storage, security, compliance, capacity planning and lifecycle management. EGI's foundation of market-specific expertise and over 24 years of implementation experience ensure an ideal solution for every client. EGI can be found on the Web at http://www.ergogroup.com.

EGI Announces Commitment to Ongoing Co-Development Efforts and Streamlined Delivery of AuthentiGuard® On-Demand™

2007-09-17T00:00:00-04:00

Proven experience of technology solutions powerhouse will result in continuous product innovations, and ensure quality and speed of implementation for large-scale projects.

September 17, 2007 - Garden City Park, NY – Working with its partner Document Security Systems, Inc. (AMEX: DMC) (“DSS”), The Ergonomic Group (“EGI”) has recently completed development and initial deployments of AuthentiGuard® On-DemandTM, a print security and authentication technology solution that helps organizations to mitigate risk and deter fraud. AuthentiGuard® On-DemandTM can be utilized on its own, or as part of a layered security initiative.

Developed by leveraging EGI’s highly skilled internal engineering team, powerful computer lab and Network Operations Center, and DSS’ patented technologies, this breakthrough solution enables authentication of printed documents via standard desktop computers and printers. It provides a robust, highly accessible and low-cost means for adding anti-scan, anti-copy and easy authentication features to a wide range of sensitive printed materials.

“Building on DSS’ history of innovation in the print security space, EGI has contributed its unique expertise in on-demand delivery and in enterprise security to achieve a truly unique and much-needed solution,” said Robert Girards, Executive Vice President and COO of EGI. “AuthentiGuard® On-DemandTM fills a huge void that has existed in the security world. It bridges the gaps that have existed between digital and print security, and for the first time enables organizations to bring authentication beyond the realm of specialty printers -- down to an individual’s desktop. And that represents a major leap forward in security,” Girards concluded.

Having announced the general availability of AuthentiGuard® On-DemandTM, EGI will continue to work in conjunction with DSS to extend the capabilities of the core solution, as well as create discrete, packaged applications customized to meet the specialized requirements of specific industries.

In addition to its role in product development, EGI’s vast expertise in the integration and implementation of advanced security solutions will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and speed of deployment in large scale projects – especially those involving highly dispersed geographic requirements. In one early customer implementation, EGI and DSS achieved successful deployment to more than 400 sites within three weeks.

EGI is also the exclusive distribution partner for AuthentiGuard® On-DemandTM, and as such is aggressively working to speed market awareness, education, and adoption.

About The Ergonomic Group

The Ergonomic Group (EGI) is a full service technology solutions provider with vast expertise in a wide range of critical IT infrastructure solution areas, including enterprise security. EGI's partnership with DSS marks an expansion of EGI's Security Solutions Practice. As co-developer of AuthentiGuard OnDemand, lead integration partner, and exclusive distribution partner for the solution, EGI works hand in hand with DSS to leverage the unique expertise of both companies to bring to market a breakthrough Anti-Counterfeiting Security Printing Solution that closes the gaps in the protection and authentication of vital documents across a wide range of industries. More information about The Ergonomic Group can be found at www.ergogroup.com.

About Document Security Systems, Inc.

A rapidly growing security technology company, Document Security Systems is a world leader in the development of optical deterrent technologies that help prevent counterfeiting and brand fraud from the use of the most advanced scanners, copiers and imaging systems in the market. The Company’s patented and patent-pending technologies protect valuable documents and printed products from counterfeiters and identity thieves. Document Security Systems’ customers, which include international governments, major corporations and world financial institutions, use its covert and overt technologies to protect a number of applications including, but not limited to, currency, vital records, brand protection, ID cards, internet commerce, passports and gift certificates. Document Security Systems’ strategy is to become the world’s leading producer of cutting-edge security technologies for paper, plastic and electronically generated printed assets. More information about Document Security Systems can be found at its websites: www.documentsecurity.com, www.plasticprintingprofessionals.com, and www.authenticate-360.com.

Sun Microsystems Presents the Ergonomic Group as ‘Partner of the Year’ for FY‘07

2007-08-24T00:00:00-04:00

August 24, 2007 - Garden City Park, NY – The Ergonomic Group (EGI) was awarded Sun Microsystems ‘Partner of the Year’ award. This is the only partner award of its kind and honors the top Partner in the United States for Sun’s FY’07; it is also the highest honor to be received by a partner within the Sun business community. It was presented to the Ergonomic Group at Sun Microsystems’s America's FY‘08 Sales kickoff meeting. The Ergonomic Group has been a partner to the Sun sales force for the past fourteen years.

The Ergonomic Group has 4 office locations in the Northeastern territory including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. They conduct business in the areas of government, financial services, telecommunications, and northeast market area. EGI is certified to sell Sun products from entry level to enterprise level servers as well as their software. EGI’s expertise spans from selling and configuration to implementation and support.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.

The Ergonomic Group Receives Gold Certification from Cisco Systems

2007-03-21T00:00:00-04:00

Recognition affirms Long Island-based firm’s commitment to delivering superior IT infrastructure solutions and superior customer service.

Garden City Park, NY - March 21, 2007 - The Ergonomic Group (EGI), one of the leading technology solution providers in the Northeast, today announced that it has been awarded the distinguished certification of Cisco Gold Partner, as well as the Customer Satisfaction Excellence Gold Star. EGI’s Cisco Gold Partner Certification represents recognition for the company’s outstanding achievements in: Advanced Security, Advanced Wireless LAN, IP Communications, and Routing & Switching.

Cisco’s Gold Partner certification is one of the most widely respected and sought after designations in the networking industry. EGI is one of the few organizations to meet the extremely stringent guidelines and requirements outlined by Cisco’s program related to personnel, support, product/technology specialization and customer satisfaction. Prior to attaining their gold certification, EGI received Cisco Silver Partnership status in May, 2006.

"EGI has always been committed to delivering superior technology solutions that enable our clients to achieve world-class IT infrastructures,” said Bob Girards, Executive Vice President and COO of The Ergonomic Group. "This recognition by Cisco is a testimony to EGI’s relentless pursuit of excellence in anticipating and satisfying rigorous customer requirements by delivering superior technical expertise, specialized capabilities and 100% commitment to customer satisfaction.”

The prestigious Cisco Gold Certified Partner designation offers the highest level of credibility in the marketplace. The goal of the program is to recognize and reward partners, like EGI, for having achieved high levels of competency via highly-trained network specialists and technicians who provide superior service and support for Cisco solutions in their customer environments. When selecting a Cisco Partner, businesses can be assured that ‘Cisco Gold Certification’ is the mark of a superior and highly skilled source for superior network expertise and support capabilities.

EGI’s Cisco Gold Partner Certification is the most recent in the company’s achievements toward strengthening its ability to deliver the highest levels of technical support, specialized expertise, and superior customer service capabilities in the industry.

About The Ergonomic Group

EGI is a full-service technology solutions provider that combines customer choice, a service-centric approach, and a commitment to help organizations solve their most pressing business and IT challenges. EGI uniquely brings together best-of-breed technologies, superior technical competencies, and a work style that makes it easy to do business. We develop and implement robust IT solutions in six focus areas: networking, storage, security, compliance, capacity planning, and lifecycle management. EGI’s market-specific expertise, coupled with more than 20 years of experience, ensures an ideal solution for every client, every time. For more information about EGI and its services, visit www.ergogroup.com, or call (516) 408-4550.

About Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create Internet solutions that allow individuals, companies, and countries to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage. Cisco is a leader in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies including routing, switching, home networking, IP Telephony, Optical, Network Security, Storage Networking and Wireless LAN. With more than 34,000 employees worldwide, Cisco remains committed to creating networks that are smarter, thanks to built-in intelligent network services; faster, in their ability to perform at ever-increasing speeds; and more durable, with a generational approach to an evolutionary infrastructure. For more information about Cisco Systems, Inc., visit www.cisco.com.

Technical Expertise and Customer Orientation Help Earn EGI Cisco Silver Certification

2006-05-02T00:00:00-04:00

Recognition affirms Long Island-based firm’s commitment to delivering superior value-added technology services.

Garden City Park, NY - May 2, 2006 - The Ergonomic Group (EGI), one of the leading technology solutions providers in the Northeast, today announced that it had been awarded the Silver Partnership Certification from Cisco Systems.

Cisco Silver Certification is designed to recognize partners with credible sales and technical support teams that demonstrate a genuine commitment to customer service.

To earn certification, companies must demonstrate expertise in at least two specializations, and also have achieved a measurable level of customer satisfaction.

As a Cisco Silver Certified Partner, EGI is committed to delivering quality value-added services to help our customers achieve their business goals.

About The Ergonomic Group

EGI is a full-service technology solutions provider that combines customer choice, a service-centric approach, and a commitment to help organizations solve their most pressing business and IT challenges. EGI combines best-of-breed technologies with a workstyle that makes it easy to do business. We develop and implement robust IT solutions in six focus areas: networking, storage, security, compliance, capacity planning, and lifecycle management. EGI’s market-specific expertise, coupled with more than 20 years of experience, ensures an ideal solution for every client, every time.

The Ergonomic Group Achieves TippingPoint Authorized Certification from HP

2011-02-01T00:00:00-05:00

Achievement confirms Long Island-based IT solution provider’s focus on delivering comprehensive network security solutions to protect enterprise data and operations.

Westbury, NY – February 1, 2011 – The Ergonomic Group (EGI), a leading Northeast technology solutions provider, announced that it has received the distinguished certification of HP TippingPoint Authorized Security Partner. EGI’s recent HP TippingPoint Certification comes as a result of the company’s demonstrated proficiency in the design, delivery and support of network solutions that incorporate HP TippingPoint’s unparalleled end-to-end network protection, which enables the realization of both high network performance and high security levels without compromise.

HP’s TippingPoint certification is one of the most respected and distinctive designations in the network security space. EGI is one of the only regional partners recognized to meet HP’s strict requirements for this certification – including product and technology specialization, training and proficiency certification, and proven field expertise. This certification builds on the company’s recent recognition as an HP Converged Infrastructure Elite partner, which confirms EGI’s ability to deliver end-to-end infrastructure solutions built on HP’s innovative Converged Infrastructure platform.

"Accomplishing the HP TippingPoint Certification is another milestone in EGI’s ongoing commitment to helping our customers achieve the highest levels of IT security, performance and efficiency,” said Frank Scozzari, Executive Vice President of Sales for The Ergonomic Group. He further explained, “Receiving this certification validates the high priority EGI has placed on offering integrated enterprise security as a crucial component of every IT solution we deliver.”

HP’s exclusive TippingPoint Authorized Security Partner Certification demonstrates the company’s outstanding expertise in the network security space. This certification identifies unique partners like EGI for providing superior levels of solution delivery and competency via highly trained network security solution specialists. For organizations that need a proven and verifiable expert in network security, EGI’s TippingPoint Authorized Security Partner Certification provides unequivocal confidence that EGI offers superior network security solution expertise and support.

EGI’s HP TippingPoint Authorized Security Partner Certification represents the firm’s most recent industry recognition in the company’s series of achievements designed to strengthen its ability to deliver the highest levels of network security solution design, delivery and support in the industry.

About The Ergonomic Group

The Ergonomic Group (EGI) is a Long Island-based IT solutions provider that delivers high performance, cost-effective computing solutions that span the desktop to the data center to mobile computing endpoints. EGI leverages three decades of expertise and the industry’s leading technologies to help our customers achieve lasting business advantage. For more information, visit www.ergogroup.com.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. For more information, visit www.hp.com.

Microsoft Awards The Ergonomic Group Unified Communications Gold Competency

2011-01-10T00:00:00-05:00

Recognition confirms The Ergonomic Group’s ability to help enterprises lower costs and improve communications with video conferencing, voice-over-IP, e-mail, and instant messaging based on Microsoft Unified Communications technologies.

Westbury, NY – January 10, 2011 – The Ergonomic Group (EGI) announced that it has achieved Microsoft Unified Communications Gold Competency certification. EGI is a leading Northeast technology solutions provider that delivers IT solutions covering the full range of computing needs – from the data center to the desktop to mobile computing endpoints.

Signifying the most recent accomplishment in EGI’s history of Microsoft technology certifications, the Unified Communications Gold Competency award assures customers of EGI’s demonstrated proficiency in the design and delivery of communications solutions that leverage Microsoft’s advanced technologies to improve enterprise operations and reduce costs through enhanced communications systems.

As an exceptionally noteworthy milestone within EGI’s suite of advanced IT solution certifications, this achievement confirms that EGI has demonstrated its expertise in delivering integrated, intuitive, people-centric solutions based on Microsoft Unified Communications technologies, including Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Lync Server (formerly Microsoft Office Communications Server), and Microsoft Lync (formerly Microsoft Office Communicator).

The Microsoft Unified Communications Gold competency certification also provides EGI with a unique edge in the delivery of Microsoft communications solutions by enabling access to specialized software, tools and training resources – ensuring superior customer solution development and support. The certification supports EGI’s capability to offer comprehensive services including deployment, migration and integration.

“Achieving this advanced certification from Microsoft helps both our customers and EGI itself, by ensuring EGI’s capability to deliver the superior communications solutions our customer seek in today’s dynamic business environment,” said Frank Scozzari, Executive Vice President of Sales for EGI. “We look forward to leveraging this certification extensively in support of advanced communications solution delivery that helps our customers excel in performance, while controlling operating costs,” he concluded.

EGI met the stringent standards for Microsoft Unified Communications Gold Competency certification only after completing multiple technical exam requirements, and documenting verifiable customer solution successes that incorporate Microsoft’s communications solutions. Meeting these requirements provides assurance that EGI’s team delivers both the expertise and the proven experience to deliver powerful Microsoft Unified Communications solutions tailored to unique enterprise requirements.

About The Ergonomic Group

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com.

The Ergonomic Group Recognized by Cisco for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction

2010-10-15T00:00:00-04:00

Gold Star award confirms integrator’s distinction as a premier solution and service provider in the Northeast.

Westbury, NY – October 15, 2010 – The Ergonomic Group (EGI) announced today that it has achieved a Customer Satisfaction Excellence Gold Star from Cisco. This designation recognizes EGI for delivering outstanding customer service to its customers across the Northeastern United States.

“EGI has worked hard to achieve the skills and service levels today’s enterprises require, and we’re proud that our demonstrated customer satisfaction reflects that”, said The Ergonomic Group’s executive vice president of sales, Frank Scozzari. “Working in partnership with Cisco’s outstanding solution delivery team and its proven technology solutions, we look forward to serving even more customers with this level of excellence in the future,” he concluded.

“Customer service is a cornerstone of the Cisco Resale Channel Program. We are pleased to recognize and congratulate The Ergonomic Group for achieving outstanding customer satisfaction,” said Edison Peres, senior vice president of the worldwide channels go-to-market group at Cisco.

Cisco measures the customer satisfaction levels achieved by its Gold, Silver, and Premier Certified partners based on regional target goals, providing a weighted average of a partner's pre- and post-sales support over a rolling 12-month period. Partners that achieve outstanding customer satisfaction are awarded the Customer Satisfaction Excellence Gold Star and can be found using the advanced search menu in the Cisco Partner Locator.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides a framework for partners to build the sales, technical, and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions to end customers. Through the program's specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a partner's expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates partner qualifications such as technology skills, business best practices, customer satisfaction, and presales and post-sales support capabilities - critical factors in choosing a trusted partner.

About The Ergonomic Group

About Cisco

Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. For more information, visit ww.cisco.com.

The Ergonomic Group Achieves HP Converged Infrastructure Elite Certification

2010-12-08T00:00:00-05:00

Leading Northeast integration services provider recognized for proven ability to help organizations eliminate IT sprawl and create the data center of the future today with HP Converged Infrastructure.

Westbury, NY – December 8, 2011 – The Ergonomic Group (EGI) announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Converged Infrastructure Elite certification from Hewlett-Packard Company (HP). EGI is a leading Northeast technology solutions provider that delivers IT solutions covering the full range of computing needs – from the data center to the desktop to mobile computing endpoints. This recognition places EGI among the very limited number of regional solution providers with the proven expertise to design, deliver and support end-to-end HP Converged Infrastructure solutions.

Building on an extensive suite of HP partner and technology certifications, the Converged Infrastructure Elite recognition confirms that EGI has demonstrated deep expertise in the wide range of data center technologies and services that comprise HP’s Converged Infrastructure framework – solutions that form the ideal foundation for an instant-on enterprise. EGI specializes in helping customers eliminate IT sprawl and create the data center of the future with Converged Infrastructure solutions that eliminate silos and integrate technologies (such as servers, storage and network) into shared pools of interoperable resources.

The result is a data center of the future that delivers a whole new level of simplicity, integration, and automation in which the IT infrastructure is fully aligned to the needs of the organization. Flexibility and efficiency are assured, as all resources are managed through a common management platform and all based on standards and customer choice.

As a true value-added business partner to its customers, EGI strives to help its customers benefit from the most advanced and streamlined technology approaches, enabling them to shift more resources to innovation and strategic initiatives.

“Being awarded this elite certification from HP is a major milestone in EGI’s commitment to delivering the most advanced, effective and efficient IT infrastructure solutions to our customers,” observed Frank Scozzari, EGI’s executive vice president of sales. He further explained, “Delivering mission-critical solutions that help our customers increase their own performance, while saving on time and TCO, is what we’ve become known for. HP’s Converged Infrastructure solutions represent the industry’s top offerings for making this possible, and EGI is laser-focused on bringing these benefits to our customers across the Northeast.”

HP maintains strict requirements for the Converged Infrastructure Elite certification, which EGI was able to meet via its vast pool of HP expertise and resources. These include both proven customer successes deploying HP solutions, and EGI’s impressive staff of technical experts – who hold numerous HP technology certifications covering the full range of enterprise IT computing systems and products.

“In an era where technology changes occur rapidly and competitive pressures make IT a critical factor in business performance, most enterprises are looking for partners who go beyond just supplying products, but also offer proven technology and process expertise,” Mr. Scozzari noted. “EGI is that kind of partner to our customers, with an unmatched ability to design and deliver HP Converged Infrastructure solutions that take into account an organization’s big picture – to help prepare it for tomorrow’s challenges while solving today’s most pressing needs,” he concluded.

About The Ergonomic Group

About HP

The Ergonomic Group Recognized for Top Infrastructure Practice in CRN's VAR500 List

2011-06-14T00:00:00-04:00

17th Annual List Ranks North America's Top 500 Technology Integrators

Westbury, New York, June 14, 2011 – The Ergonomic Group, today announced it has been recognized as the "Top Infrastructure Practice" in CRN's 17th annual VAR500 list. This list ranks the top technology integrators in North America. The VAR500 is a list of the largest value-added resellers, solution providers and integrators in North America by revenue size. Revenue size is determined by the amount of annual products and services sold over the course of 2010.
VAR500 honorees are considered trusted business advisors, integration experts, and invaluable partners.

The Ergonomic Group Inc.

The Ergonomic Group is a Long Island-based solution provider that delivers high performance, cost-effective computing solutions that span the desktop to the data center to mobile computing endpoints. EGI leverages three decades of expertise and the industry's leading technologies to help customers achieve lasting business advantage.
For more information, visit www.ergogroup.com

Services Provider Core Services Selects HP to Host Business Applications

2011-07-27T00:00:00-04:00

Company chooses HP BladeSystem technology to replace existing Oracle infrastructure

Westbury, NY – February 1, 2011 – HP today announced that hosting services provider Core Services has chosen HP BladeSystem technology as part of an HP Converged Infrastructure to support increased service-level commitments for its global customers.

Core Services delivers third-party business operations solutions, information systems and support to clients worldwide. A major shift in the managed hosting landscape meant the company needed an infrastructure that could handle new customer demands for cost-effective and energy-saving solutions.

Core Services partnered with The Ergonomic Group (EGI), an HP Elite Business Partner, for infrastructure recommendations to improve application performance and deliver better services. After an evaluation, EGI concluded that Core Services’ current Oracle/Sun infrastructure was unable to meet its customer needs. EGI assisted the company in designing the new infrastructure based on an HP Converged Infrastructure. It also provided guidance with installation requirements and ongoing support of the new architecture for its data centers.

Core Services selected an HP BladeSystem platform to virtualize its environment, which includes eight HP BladeSystem c7000 enclosures, 60 HP BL460 G6 and G7 blade servers, and an HP Virtual Connect Flex-10 Ethernet Module for BladeSystem. The configuration delivers the compute power, energy efficiency and performance per watt required for CPU-hungry Oracle applications.

“We needed to get ahead of a changing curve in the managed services industry with customer priorities shifting to energy- and cost-efficient solutions,” said Bimal Doshi, vice president, Operations, Core Services. “We migrated to an HP BladeSystem environment to make the best use of every watt, hour and dollar so that we can better serve our customers.”

The HP BladeSystem platform, equipped with Intel® Xeon® processors, provides Core Services with an average fourfold reduction in the number of physical servers required. Core Services customers can access its servers with HP Integrated Lights-out (iLO) remote management software, which enables IT administrators and customers to more easily provision servers as well as troubleshoot problems to improve productivity while reducing server management costs.

Core Services also installed HP Virtual Connect, a network module in the HP BladeSystem enclosure that ties LAN and SAN information to the server bay instead of the server. This allows Core Services to add, remove or change servers in minutes, saving hours of delay that would be spent on LAN and SAN coordination. HP Virtual Connect also reduces cabling by 75 percent, from 16 cables per enclosure down to four.(1)

HP Converged Infrastructure is a key foundation of an Instant-On Enterprise. In a world of continuous connectivity, the Instant-On Enterprise embeds technology in everything it does to serve customers, employees, partners and citizens with whatever they need, instantly.

About The Ergonomic Group

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) HP internal research.

Intel and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the competitive pressures faced by HP’s businesses; the development and transition of new products and services (and the enhancement of existing products and services) to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2011 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

EGI Founder Kim Girards Named to CRN's "Power 100: The Most Powerful Women Of The Channel 2011"

2011-07-22T00:00:00-04:00

Kim Girards

President, CEO, The Ergonomic Group
Years in position: 27
Years in channel: 27

Highlights: Over the course of the past year, many events occurred within the industry causing The Ergonomic Group to further invest with major server, networking and software vendors, Girards says. She watched as many vendors created cloud computing strategies and helped to further educate customers around the different server architecture, networking and software infrastructures.

Goals: The Ergonomic Group will continue to assist customers' focus on innovation rather than technology. Girards' goal is to help customers devote more of their IT budget to innovation for core business needs and spend less on operations and maintenance. Cloud computing promises to be a fundamental transition for customers, she says. The Ergonomic Group would like to grow its corporate footprint in the channel path going forward.

Learn all about cloud computing

2011-09-09T00:00:00-04:00

Think you know everything about cloud computing?

Basically, cloud computing means that everything -- infrastructure, applications, and business processes -- can be made available to you as a service, over the Internet or your own network.

Clients and others interested in the now widely popular technology can go to Kim Girards' Ergonomic Group in Westbury on Wednesday afternoon. If you're not a client or did not get an invite, you'll need to email the company to get in.

Ergonomic Group, a value-added computer reseller, has been named by Hewlett-Packard as one of HP's 40 "Cloud Centers of Excellence" across the country. It is the only such one in the Northeast.

On Wednesday, from 5:00 to 9 p.m., Ergonomic Group will launch its first event to demonstrate what cloud centers are all about for its clients and others on the Island who want to know about the technology.

Girards, who founded the company in 1984 after working in her family's textile business in Manhattan, has grown the business to 195 employees, some 75 of them on the Island. Sales are over $200 million.

Private Cloud Performance Issues to Drive Upgrades

2011-09-15T00:00:00-04:00

Michael Vizard, Channel Tech Network

As interest in private cloud computing grows IT organizations everywhere are coming to the conclusion that there existing IT infrastructure simply isn’t up to the task.

For example, a new survey from Precise Software, a provider of transaction processing management software, makes it exceedingly clear that as IT organization move to embrace the cloud they have a lot of concerns about performance issues stemming from contention issues that inevitably arise when multiple applications share the same IT infrastructure.

From a solution provider’s perspective, those concerns create the perfect opportunity to start a conversation about upgrading the customer’s data center to create an environment that can truly support private cloud computing.

Granted, in these tough economic times a lot of customer’s don’t want to talk about upgrading anything. But at the same time, they are keenly interested in reducing their IT operating costs, and the only way to really do that is by leveraging more modern IT infrastructure. As is often the case, when it comes to cloud computing the customer needs to spend a little money to save a lot of money.

This is exactly the reason we see solution providers in the channel such as The Ergonomic Group moving more aggressively into helping customers build their own clouds, as opposed to building out a cloud computing service of its own. John Tietjen, solution architect manager for The Ergonomic Group, says the solution provider might do that one day, but right now the bigger opportunity is in building private clouds.

To drive that opportunity The Ergonomic Group is now opening a Cloud Center of Excellence and kicking of a series of Cloud Workshops for its customers in partnership with Hewlett-Packard that not only identify the business requirements for building a private cloud, but also highlights the technical limitations of existing IT infrastructure.

There is no customer of any size that is contemplating building a private cloud that is not concerned about application performance in that environment, which for solution providers puts the customer in the perfect place to have a meaningful conversation about how they plan to allocate their IT budget to address those issues.

HP Channel Partners Open New Cloud Centers of Excellence

2011-09-20T00:00:00-04:00

Facilities provide convenient access to expertise for cloud-ready customers.

PALO ALTO, Calif., September 20, 2011 – HP today announced that 19 HP Cloud Centers of Excellence have been established in 2011 at partner facilities throughout the United States, providing customers fast, convenient access to live demonstrations of HP cloud solutions.

HP Cloud Centers of Excellence enable clients to gain firsthand knowledge of, and directly experience, the benefits of cloud computing technologies such as accelerated service delivery and operational efficiency. A total of 40 centers are expected to open by the end of next month.

The HP Cloud Centers of Excellence program includes HP Converged Infrastructure solutions, automation software, training and financial incentives to transform channel partner facilities into cloud demonstration centers. By delivering locally accessible cloud demonstrations and industry-specific expertise, HP channel partners can expand their business opportunities.

For example, on Sept. 14 The Ergonomic Group (EGI) hosted an HP Cloud Center of Excellence grand opening at its Westbury, N.Y., facility, showcasing cloud solutions for specific customers such as financial services institutions in the New York metro market.

Cloud Centers of Excellence feature HP CloudSystem, the industry’s most complete integrated solution for building and managing services across private, public and hybrid cloud environments. In addition to HP servers, these centers also include HP Storage and HP Networking solutions, including HP Tipping Point network security offerings, as well as third party applications.

Beyond serving as a pioneer of cloud solutions in their markets, HP channel partners make cloud computing more accessible through HP Cloud Discovery Workshops to help organizations evaluate business needs as well as determine strategies for transforming their infrastructure and applications. HP and its channel partners enable clients to create Instant-On Enterprises with the power to protect data, defend resources, manage risk and drive innovation. More information about HP’s cloudsolutions and services is available at www.hp.com/go/cloudcomputing.

HP’s premier client event, HP DISCOVER, takes place Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 in Vienna, Austria. The event showcases how organizations can get started on their Instant-On Enterprise journeys.

Digital Resources:

Videos

— HP CloudSystem overview video

— HP Cloud solutions white board video

White Papers

— Business White Paper: 5 Myths of Cloud Computing

— Business White Paper: START small, grow tall: Why Cloud Now

Partner Quotes

“We’ve invested heavily in our HP Cloud Center of Excellence to demonstrate our commitment to helping customers realize the significant business and operational benefits of the cloud model,” said Kim Girards, president and chief executive officer, The Ergonomic Group. “EGI’s Cloud Center will accelerate the learning curve and streamline adoption of cloud computing in a resource-rich and locally accessible environment.”