CTG and HP Secure Printing

HP Split Will Drive Innovation and Growth

By Scott Haizlip

As the navigator specialist here at Convergent Technologies Group, my focus is in tune with the growth of HP’s printing and personal systems business. Currently, HP is a market leader in printing and personal systems, but – like all companies – HP is always looking for the next way to increase innovation and grow business. I feel that HP has found a way to increase both innovation and growth with its plan to split its business.

On Nov. 1, HP officially will separate into two new, equally robust Fortune 50 companies. The business that will be known as Hewlett Packard Enterprise will be responsible for HP’s enterprise infrastructure, software and services business. The second company, to be named HP Inc., will focus on printing and personal computing. Rather than continuing to try to do everything, HP smartly opted for this split that will allow each company to function more strategically and nimbly on what it can do best.

Although HP Enterprise and HP Inc. will both benefit, I feel HP Inc. will thrive from the separation. In my opinion, establishing HP Inc. as a stand-alone company will ensure increased investments in research and design in these market-leading products. This, in turn, will drive growth through innovation.

For our customers, this innovation will change the way you operate your business and life – from how you print to what you can accomplish from a mobile device. HP is constantly developing and introducing inventive products, such as 3D scanning with the HP Sprout, and handwritten notes that transfer to text on the HP Pro Slate 12 – just to name a couple.

Look for HP Inc. to continue to be a leader in bringing the best printers and personal systems to the marketplace. Look for growth in product capabilities and new products that change how we do business. Look for HP to have the solutions to meet your needs – and open up unimagined avenues for you to deliver successfully on your business goals.

Scott Haizlip is SMB account manager at Convergent Technologies Group.

Thin Client Technology Is Game Changer for Mobility

By Doug Carter

HP and Windows have launched a new rugged product that is going to change the game on how companies manage their mobile workforces.

The new HP Elitepad 1000 G2 TC Tablet is a rugged Thin Client that offers all of the functionality of a fully loaded table – delivered with the value, security, manageability and long life that corporations love to have.

With 5.7 million more Thin Client units implemented in 2014 and 7.8 million projected worldwide by 2018, HP has certainly set the bar high for its competition with the new Thin Client rugged tablet. Offering improved technologies in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Desktop as a Service and Cloud Solutions, combined with a Windows-embedded operating system, HP has claimed the top rung in the worldwide market for Windows-based Thin Client tablets.

What can customers expect from this rugged mobile Thin Client tablet?

To start, this tablet delivers a consistent experience with trusted and familiar standard tools for system administration, along with user-friendly applications that are intuitive, interactive and integrates with existing infrastructure. This tablet also offers the best:

Security: Because security is on the forefront of everyone’s thoughts these days, HP and Windows offer comprehensive security on this amazing unit, combined with HP’s TPM, NIST, Fiber NICs, Multiple Authentication Solutions and HP Easy Shell, Windows provides BitLocker, AppLocker, Write Filters and Predictable Security Update Schedule.

Cloud Power: Microsoft Azure provides a reliable platform customized to meet customer needs. Azure RemoteApp on HP Thin Clients allows customers to run business applications and to scale to meet their business demands, with easy configuration and remote management.

With Office 365, customers have the capability for security-enhanced, cloud-hosted office applications, business-class email with Outlook WebApp, and instant messaging, voice and video calls with Skype.

Connectivity and Communication: A critical part of field reporting is connectivity and communication. The Thin Client with embedded Gobi (Verizon/AT&T) and 2D/3D Barcode reader – aligned with the same hardware and driver ecosystem as Windows desktop operating systems – provides easy access to drivers for printers, scanners, card readers and headsets. It provides high-fidelity communication in the VDI environment or the browser-based cloud. With Microsoft RDP/RFX, Citrix HDX, VMware Vie, HP RGS provides the most complete protocol support for virtualization technology.

Value Add from HP Software: HP Device Manager, HP Velocity and HP Easy Shell provide a rich software ecosystem to optimize the ease of deployment of HP’s Thin Client tablet.

Based in our North Carolina office, Doug Carter is the mobility account manager at Convergent Technologies Group.

CIO Retreat Pushes Creativity in IT

By John Monahan

As I see it, the best part of my job is helping clients solve tough questions.

If we are truly going to achieve our vision of being a trusted partner with our customers, we can’t simply be focused on selling products. We need to ensure that we are offering the right resources to help those businesses take care of what they need today and are positioned to grow smartly with the strategic use of their IT resources.

Being a trusted partner is about more than just supporting infrastructure, it’s about ensuring that our clients understand the current industry environment and have a vision of what’s coming next. That’s a big reason we host a handful of CIOs from around the region at our ongoing retreat series, held at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. For two days, we step away from the daily business operations and take a deeper dive into the future state of IT.

The centerpiece of the weekend is an exclusive three-hour session with HP’s Chief Creatologist, Joe Batista. Yes, we know that’s not a common title, but the greatest value that Joe delivers is that he isn’t a conventional IT executive. His role is about helping HP clients discover, unlock and unleash the power of innovation, a common theme in the many years that he has joined in our CTG retreats. Joe talks about how to think differently about your business, your technology and your assets in ways that drive new growth and real results. It’s how to use IT, if you will, to change the game.

Why is this so important?

1.     The world is getting more complex, and we need creative approaches to find the best answers. To gain the competitive advantages required, businesses need to look for more than off-the-shelf solutions. They need to know how to leverage both their legacy and emerging technologies – along with their human resources - to work in innovative ways.

2.     We learn from others. Just like the best technologies can’t exist in a silo, we can’t try to sit apart to plan out the next technology steps. With this opportunity to talk with other technology executives, participants can look at the bigger picture and learn about best practices that they can apply to their current challenges and opportunities.

3.     Technology fuels innovation. You can have the best or most unique business idea, but getting it to market today requires the smartest IT backbone. If it’s simple and straightforward, someone has probably already done it. To distinguish yourself and your product, you need to come at your business in ways that you probably have yet to consider – and you need to develop the strategic mindset and identify the tools to help you make those dreams into realities with bottom-line gains.

We’re looking forward to hearing the latest visions and insights from Joe, whom we have access to as part of our Platinum Partnership with HP. We’ll be sharing more in the days ahead, so be sure to keep following CTG on our social channels.

John Monahan is co-founder of Convergent Technologies Group.

Giving Ourselves a Shout Out: CTG earns HP Platinum designation

By John Monahan and Jeff Garell

We have some big news to share: After years of investing a lot of time in training and building our hands-on expertise, CTG has been named a Hewlett Packard Platinum partner.

We’re even more proud to be among an elite group in the country to earn this designation, which reflects our expertise both in sales and service. In other words, we have a rare mastery of HP’s infrastructure products and how to put them to work for you. We’re also the only Virginia-based, exclusive HP provider to reach this top level.

We earned our Platinum Partner status as a converged infrastructure specialist, which covers the core areas of storage, networking, servers and infrastructure servicing – all products of what will become Hewlett Packard Enterprise this fall.

While this is certainly exciting news for CTG, this is great news for our customers. But what exactly does this mean for clients who choose to work with us as a Platinum partner?  Here are some key perks for you:

1.        Specialized skills: Our people have invested years in training programs, where we received hands-on education with every HP Enterprise product – from basic features to performance standards. As HP enhances existing offerings and launches new products, that training is continuing, ensuring that CTG’s team can share the latest technology and information with clients. Basically, we know every product inside and out – like no one else.

2.     Innovative solutions: Because we have the deepest knowledge of HP products, we can easily develop and implement strategic solutions that meet your IT needs today and for the future. There’s nothing across the HP Enterprise portfolio that we can’t deliver at the highest-quality standards. Our clients trust us to recommend what’s right.

3.     Personalized support: We know you – and we know the solutions we provide. Because of that, we can provide the tailored IT support you need for your business.

Of course, our customers have received many great benefits from our previous Gold Partner affiliation with HP. We’ll be able to build on those offerings, such as continuing to host clients at the HP Customer Experience Center in New York, holding private sessions at HP Discover with HP product specialists and much, much more. We also will continue to bring you cutting-edge HP products, solutions and services at the most-competitive rates.

Yes, we are pretty excited to share this news with you, largely because this news is about you. We didn’t strive for this certification just for CTG. Rather, we made this investment because we realized that achieving this elite skills-and-services designation would be the best way to demonstrate our commitment to delivering the highest-quality engagements with our customers.

John Monahan and Jeff Garell are co-founders of Convergent Technologies Group.

The HP Pro Slate 12 – The Perfect Tool for the Modern Law Office

By: Daniel Bendele

Before transitioning to the technology field, I spent time in a traditional general practice law firm,and in a non-traditional lobbying setting. Looking back on my time in both settings, I wish I would have had access to a tool like the Pro Slate 12.

Taking and transcribing notes for clients and potential clients is one of the most time consuming tasks for any attorney, paralegal, or legal assistant. In a business where time is often the determining factor in how much money the firm is bringing in, any tool that can help increase the amount of clients you are able to work with and decrease the time needed for each client is beyond essential. The Pro Slate 12 and its accompanying HP Duet Pen is an absolute game changer.

The Pro Slate 12 is an Android based tablet that allows you to take handwritten notes on the tablet or on a separate sheet of paper and have those notes transfer as text instantaneously to the tablet. Once the notes are on the tablet, they can be stored securely in the Google cloud and then transferred to whatever medium you'd like (Microsoft word, PDF, it even integrates with Tabs3 and Practice Master).

Not only does the tablet change the way attorneys and their staff can take and store client information, but it is also possible to access important research tools like Westlaw and Lexis via their Android apps. This is another game changer for the mobile attorney as it allows you to research relevant case law on the go. Along with making your research capabilities mobile, the Westlaw and Lexis apps on the Pro Slate 12 could save your firm thousands of dollars on printing costs, by allowing attorneys and their staff to easily identify relevant case law without printing unnecessary cases.

My previous legal experience allows me to see just how great of a tool this tablet could be for lawyers and their staff, but I’m certain the Pro Slate 12 could save time and money for business people in a myriad of industries. Whether you are an accountant interviewing clients, or a doctor/nurse speaking with patients, the ability to easily and securely take paperless notes is a major technological evolution. 

Here at Convergent Technologies Group we work tirelessly to not just find you the best hardware, but to find you solutions that put your business ahead of the curve. If you would like to see the Pro Slate 12 in action, contact our office and we will be happy to come and show you how this fantastic tool can help keep your company at the front of the pack.

Daniel Bendele is a SMB Account Manager for Convergent Technologies Group.

4 Key Takeaways from HP Discover 2015

By John Monahan

Our CTG team left Discover 2015 just on Friday, and we're already working to bring the latest innovations from HP back to our clients along the East Coast.

While we hope you were following our social media updates about what was happening at this annual customer event, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the key takeaways from our days in Las Vegas:

       1. HP is focused on transformation.

On Day 1 of the conference, CEO Meg Whitman brought this front and center, particularly as the organization drives the evolution of two new companies. Her focus was initially on Hewlett Packard Enterprise, the arm that will continue to drive innovation within the IT industry.

“Technologies may change. Business models may shift. But one thing never changes for us, and that’s the importance of the relationships we build with our customers and our partners,” she said. “Thriving in the idea economy requires a new style of business, and this is where HP leads like no other company. … You have to pick a transformation partner with the vision and breadth to create the best possible future.”

The HPE strategy will focus on:

·         Transform to hybrid infrastructure

·         Protect your digital enterprise

·         Empower the date-driven organization

·         Enable workplace productivity

Check out this highlights video to hear more directly from Whitman about the transformation strategy. In fact, HP has an entire YouTube channel dedicated to presentations and more from Discover 2015, so we encourage you to explore topics of interest to you and your business. Our CTG team can help answer questions about how to bring new solutions to you.

       2. Storage is king.

Amidst many different production announcements and upgrades, one stands out: the HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage family. I don’t have enough room here to fully detail just how revolutionary this is to the industry, so I’ll focus on the key issues. As HP explains, this product brings a new class of massively scalable flash arrays, flash-optimized data services to accelerate IT-as-a-Service consolidation, a 25 percent lower cost for flash capacity and hybrid IT initiatives.

We saw this personally in an exclusive meeting we hosted for our clients with some of HP’s leading storage developers. For a rare hour, we discussed the real challenges that our customers face in their daily business, with HP’s top minds giving insight on effective solutions that work not just for today but can adapt and evolve as those businesses grow and tap into new opportunities.

3. New products are responding to the evolving economy.

To start, HP is getting into the movie business, with a five-year partnership to develop the next digital experience and technology to support a trio of upcoming “Avatar” sequels.

New products include HP LeanFT, which brings a test-and-learn methodology to application development. Products where updates are coming include the HP Helion portfolio, which supports your transition to a hybrid infrastructure, and HP will expand it's Converged Systems offerings, including a new partnership with Arista Networks.

The bottom line is that HP is applying forward thinking in creating and launching IT innovations that build on it's years of leadership, while recognizing that how we do business is changing every day. As those business models evolve, we need technology that is equally nimble and flexible to support ideas we haven't even yet considered.

4. Relationships matter.

To reiterate that last point, every industry is moving forward at lightning speed. And no one business can do it alone. Whom you select as your partners in those journeys is paramount to ensuring you get smartly and efficiently to your destination.

That’s why CTG looks to build a relationship with every client. We don't believe in simply selling you technology. Instead, we are bringing our unparalleled expertise across the IT infrastructure to guide you in making meaningful investments that work today and are scalable to your changing business. Some of the first customers we signed when we launched CTG a decade ago remain our closest clients today, because they see that we bring deeper value to the business.

John Monahan is a co-founder of Convergent Technologies Group. 

What to Expect from HP Discover 2015

By John Monahan

Next week, much of the CTG leadership team will be on the road with HP, as we participate in our technology manufacturer’s key customer program: HP Discover.

From our experience attending for many years, this annual program connects CTG and our clients with HP’s top experts, who use this venue to introduce new initiatives, share insight on industry trends, and connect with visionary IT leaders from across the country.

As HP rightly bills the event, this is an “active, dynamic conversation.” Topics start with cloud, Big Data, security and mobility – and the conversation only gets deeper as HP engages with us on real issues that customers face with their technology in daily business.

From June 2-4 in Las Vegas, the program will explore more than 700 topics featuring thousands of experts from within HP and across the technology spectrum. It’s not an understatement to say that we have access to more information and insight in three days than we could in months; the program will cover some 2.25 million square feet of conference space. And the program is designed to help participants put conference learnings immediately to work. Whether you are looking for new ideas or best practices, CTG can help you connect with the right HP expert and product to find the answers you need.

As we discussed in an earlier blog post, being an HP Gold Partner gives CTG rare access to the manufacturer’s best people and latest technology. Our leadership participation at HP Discover 2015 is just one benefit of our strategic alliance with HP.

What you can expect from HP Discover 2015:

·         Leadership viewpoint: HP Chairman, President and CEO Meg Whitman will talk about the company’s latest strategy and initiatives.

·         Learning opportunities: The program will feature different training sessions to meet your different needs. Hands-On Labs, which run two hours, will give you firsthand experience with HP’s newest technologies, bringing in real-life scenarios, simulations, guides and training tips. HP ExpertOne Trainings are longer sessions that are scheduled to ensure participants can still attend keynote sessions and networking opportunities.

Too hard to pick out which sessions to attend? Check out HP’s recommendations for the top 5 “can’t miss” sessions for HP Converged Systems.

·         Technology innovations: Track keynotes will feature HP senior leaders speaking on emerging IT trends, HP’s point of view and strategy, and individual business initiatives. Panel discussions will include HP, customer and partner experts addressing the industry’s hottest topics. If that doesn’t deliver what you’re looking for, you can attend breakout sessions on the topics that matter most to you and your business or 30-minute sessions on specific business solutions. The Innovation Theater will feature 20-minute talks by customers and other experts on how innovation and collaboration can change business outcomes.

The HP Discover Insider blog will feature regular updates on game-changing innovations in enterprise software, hardware, services and networking. Keep visiting the blog for regular behind-the-scenes updates and insights.

Whether you are attending sessions in Las Vegas or will be participating via non-stop live streaming, know that our CTG team will be bringing the latest HP technologies and learnings back to Greater Richmond. As we prepare for the conference, let us know if you have any technology challenges or opportunities where we can help. We’ll be sitting at the table with the top nation’s IT talent, and we’re ready to put that knowledge to work for you.

John Monahan is a co-founder of Convergent Technologies Group.

Four Reasons the CTG and HP Partnership Matters

When a business comes to CTG and trusts us to provide an information technology platform to rely on every day, they are choosing our company for two critical components: our people and our partners.

We have built our company by finding young talent that believes in our customer-first approach and who are steady resources that grow with our client. But this is only part of the equation.

Equally important is that our team has developed critical partnerships to implement the best, most reliable and flexible technology in the industry today. That’s why we decided many years ago – after observing and testing products from the majority of the top IT manufacturers – to develop a strategic partnership with HP, whom is currently rebranding this part of it's business as Hewlett Packard Enterprises. Our strategic recommendations are built first on HP platforms and software, and we tap into other partnerships to meet specialty niches.

While you’re right to think that we’re a little biased about the high quality of HP at this point, we aren't the only ones. Just last week, the 2015 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Modular Servers – always a highly anticipated market analysis – endorsed the Palo Alto, Calif.-based manufacturer as a “Leader.” At CTG, we firmly believe in HP’s self-assessment that it “offers a strong product portfolio and delivers the right compute for the right workload at the right economics.”

By building a relationship with HP beginning nearly a decade ago, we, in turn, can offer key benefits to our customers:

1.      Simplicity. Whether you have an in-house IT team or rely on CTG for daily support, building a platform that connects different elements from storage and servers to desktops and networking from the same manufacturer streamlines your everyday management and workload. HP allows us to develop a strategic architecture and implement a single console for your IT needs, whether you are a mom-and-pop operation or a Fortune 500 company. Not many manufacturers can offer that full portfolio, and our CTG team provides a single point of contact.

2.      Expertise. As an HP Gold Partner, CTG has access to the best computing minds at Hewlett Packard. We receive unique training and education on the HP product suite. If you have a question, we can easily find the right answer. This single-vendor strategy allows us to deepen our knowledge as we consult with our clients to find the products that match their needs. That starts with HP hardware and extends to HP software as well. And when you have a specialty IT need that is outside the HP family, we can bring in the right resource and use our expertise to easily integrate it with your HP platform.

3.      Reliability and Innovation. Each is as important as the other. HP delivers products that are durable and carefully designed to meet evolving business needs. Of course, you want to know that you can trust your IT systems, but you also want to be ready to take the next step forward. We have seen firsthand that once HP releases a new product, it is already is back in the research and development lab, looking for enhancements to make that product even more efficient and effective – and to launch innovative new products. Our CTG team serves as a bridge to keep you running smoothly today and scaling up with new technology as your business grows.

4.      Value. Leveraging our knowledge of the HP product line, we can quickly assess your needs and recommend the best technology that delivers the best bang for your buck. In an ever more digitized economy, our clients are looking for the smartest solutions that allow them to best serve their customers. But IT budgets aren't limitless, and our HP relationship delivers a valuable win-win in the best firepower at the best price.

This is an exciting time to be working with the emergence of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise division. You will see the company putting a more complete focus on the data center. That means even greater R&D investments, better customer support, more product customization and a greater understanding of how technology intersects, drives and supports business strategies.

But don’t just take our word for it in this post. Give us a call – and we’ll show you the best that CTG and HP can offer.

John Monahan is a co-founder of Convergent Technologies Group.

Test and Learn

Do you remember how some of the best days in high school science class were when you got to go in the lab? When you had a problem to solve and you got to roll up your sleeves and experiment until you got the answer?

We got to do the professional version of just that last week, when we brought a handful of customers and special guests to the HP Customer Experience Center in New York. This is a living production laboratory for testing and learning, featuring the latest-and-greatest technology from HP today.

What made the trip invaluable:

• We learned from the best in the business. At the Experience Center, HP offers its top subject matter experts to share new and emerging technology and answer questions on the spot. Technology represents one of the biggest line items for any company, and business leaders need to be confident that their suppliers and partners understand their needs and environment to offer the right resources at the right cost at the right time.

• We saw the latest technology in action. Nothing is more important than seeing first-hand how different products and software can perform. The demonstrations not only presented good introductions to different resources, but they illustrated how to make the most of your technology. (Dare I admit that being in a nearly 10,000-square-foot facility with all that cutting-edge IT brought out the best geeks in us?)

• We solved some vexing problems. A couple of clients came looking for answers to specific challenges with storage. In that real IT setting, HP experts were able to configure and demonstrate a storage array that would specifically eliminate those problems. Those clients now have a strategy to discuss with their business leaders and to use in determining how to prioritize the HP recommendations.

• We got a sneak peak at what’s coming next. Our visit last week allowed us a glimpse into HP’s next generation of products, and how they will integrate with existing platforms.

Unique opportunity for customers
This hands-on experience is a rare perk of collaborating with CTG, which is an HP Gold Partner. During our nearly 10-year history, we have worked with a host of technology manufacturers, but we have chosen this specific partnership for HP’s comprehensive and integrated product portfolio. We know that all technology has a lifecycle, and our clients trust us to recommend hardware and configurations that meet today’s needs and are scalable for future business growth.

What our customers and guests told us was that this hands-on day gave them better insights into how HP’s architecture and products can deliver on all IT needs, from security to software, hardware to mobility. Because HP is one of the biggest in the industry, we know it can be daunting for our clients to navigate through all those products. This visit allowed our customers to learn more about why we trust HP, which delivers products that are equally innovative and reliable.

What happens next?
Our CTG team will be meeting with local HP account teams to host a technical discussion, where we will dive deeper into the day’s learnings.

And in keeping with our commitment to be on the leading edge, we already are planning our next visit to the HP Customer Experience Center. If you've got an IT challenge that is continuing to haunt you, let our CTG team know – and join us on our next trip to this IT laboratory.

John Monahan is co-founder of CTG.

4 Reasons You Need CTG as Your IT Partner Right Now

It’s easy to call Convergent Technologies Group an IT company. But that’s like saying Nike is an athletics company or Kraft is a food company. Each of us provides a range of products or services under that category umbrella, but each of us has strategically honed in on core offerings that reflect what we can deliver best for our customers.

Being nimble and staying on the leading edge of the ever-changing IT market has been an integral part of CTG’s evolution over the past decade. We now offer a core platform of services that allow us to meet many common IT needs for our customers, no matter where they are in their lifecycle or within their industry.

Some customers come to CTG looking for a specific service, then deepen their relationship with us as they learn more about our extended capabilities. Other clients – including startups and smaller mom-and-pop operations – recognize us from the beginning as a daily partner to whom they can entrust their complete IT needs.

So, why should you consider CTG right now as your IT partner?

1.      We build the data center that meets your needs. From the initial steps of planning the architecture that aligns with your business operations to implementing storage and backup services to handle everyday tasks, we start by sitting down with our customers to understand both current and targeted goals, working to develop an IT framework that can scale with the business. Within that, we incorporate disaster planning and recovery, as well as integrating the best applications to support your varied business tasks. With our strong relationships to the nation’s top IT manufacturers, including as an HP Gold Partner, we can deliver the highest-quality platforms at the smartest cost for your business, including next-generation resources such as virtualization.

2.      We keep your IT secure. Every day, you hear news of attempted – or worse, successful – hacks on corporate technology networks. Because this is one of the biggest worries for business owners, we have developed critical processes using the most-effective tools to put up the best defense. The first step, with the customer’s blessing, is to do our own penetration testing to identify a network’s vulnerabilities, coupled with security audits and assessments. We then offer best-in-class resources, which are continually updated, to protect you and your business.

3.      We offer managed services that keep your doors open for business.Our remote support and help desk actively track and monitor your network operations, because we know that even the best systems can have their bad days. We often find and solve those hiccups before you – or your customer – even notice. We also offer cloud solutions and other resources that allow you to focus your energy on where it matters most: your business and customers.

4.      We support you wherever you are. Work doesn't happen in the office from 9-to-5 anymore. You and your workers are handling more and more remotely, whether delivering a presentation at a client’s office or catching up on a project at home after leaving early to watch a child’s performance. We can implement the best mobility resources and wireless solutions to ensure you can work productively, while maintaining the highest network security.

Information technology long ago stopped being a one-size-fits-all business commodity. We know that, which is why every solution we craft is based on the specific needs of our customers. We listen to what you need, then apply our expertise to develop the IT services that let you run your daily business effectively and efficiently.

John Monahan is co-founder of CTG.

We’re Hiring – Join the CTG Team!!

How many people tell you honestly that they like going to work every day?

I do – and it’s not because I’m one of the bosses. OK, maybe it is, because launching Convergent Technologies Group nearly a decade ago with my business partner allowed us to create the kind of IT company where we can do things our way. At first glance, we’re a veteran-owned firm that specializes in IT services such as data center, security, virtualization and emerging technology, such as bring-your-own-device (commonly known as BYOD).

But what we really do every day is focus on what our customers need. As IT consultants with unique access to HP and other best-in-class products and services, we recommend and implement the right technology that customers need at smart costs to reach their business goals. And we don’t simply walk away then. We’re here to make sure everything continues to run smoothly and to suggest next-stage IT investments to strategically take that business to the next level. It’s a perfect win-win situation: When our customers succeed, so do we.

Over the past 10 years, putting our customers first has been our cornerstone. In the last seven years alone – which, not coincidentally, is the average tenure of today’s CTG staffer – our company has experienced average annual growth of 37 percent. Yes, you read that right, and it’s strongly because of our people, who are our key assets. This year, we’re looking at projected growth of 45 percent, and we need good people to fill key roles within our organization.

Could you see yourself at CTG?

Before I talk about current job openings, let me share a little more about what it’s like to work for CTG. The most important thing about liking what you do is finding the right place, where you fit in.

We’ve built a workplace culture that promotes teamwork, respect and fun. Certainly, you need to know your way around the IT business, but – as you’ve probably reasoned – we put just as much emphasis on knowing how to take care of our customers. Because of that, we hire people who:

• Think outside the box, as individuals who know how to unravel IT puzzles and craft technology solutions that work seamlessly for our customers.
• Approach job challenges strategically, and can then communicate easily and effectively with both clients and teammates.
• Have an internal drive to succeed and bring fresh ideas to light.
• Make smart decisions because they are empowered to do their jobs.
• Want to grow with our company, as they master their current role and step up to new responsibilities.

If you think about it, we’re a sports team comprised of all family members. We believe in providing support for everyone at CTG, where everyone can rely on the bench for back-up. We also believe that family should always come first. We know that our employees’ healthy home lives – which means never missing a child’s game, concert or other special event due to work – spill back over, with good karma generated for our organization.

I want you to love coming to work as much as I do.

Who do we need?

We’re looking for:

• Inside sales representatives: This entry-level track is ideal for new college graduates with the drive for success. This position pays salary plus commission.
• Call center/telemarketing associates: These individuals will reach out and introduce CTG and our services portfolio to prospective clients, with a goal of arranging in-person meetings for our field account managers. This position pays salary plus commission.
• Enterprise account managers/personal systems and print managers: Ideal candidates will bring at least three years of IT sales experiences, along with a strategic commitment to develop sales territories in Richmond, Northern Virginia and Tidewater. This position also pays salary plus commission.

Besides a competitive pay package, CTG offers full medical, dental and vision coverage – just to start. We also provide three weeks of paid vacation annually, corporate contributions to employees’ retirement funds, and specialty training to achieve and maintain designated industry certifications.

What are you waiting for?

Our application process is simple: Send your resume, along with a cover letter with references, to resume@ctgva.com. Be sure to tell us specifically why you want to join CTG. We look forward to welcoming new talent to our team.

John Monahan is co-founder of Convergent Technologies Group (CTG).