NCET explores business and technology
By Mikalee Byerman, special to the RGJ
Tune into any nightly news broadcast or browse any newspaper, and the potential danger of technology in business is usually somewhere in the headlines. Whether it’s a massive data dump affecting investors or a scandalous hacking episode, it’s clear that businesses rely on technology — in many cases, haphazardly — to operate.
Yet, clearly, few businesses also have a mastery of information technology solutions.
This is why companies like IQ Technology Solutions exist.
“IQ Systems is the largest managed services provider in northern Nevada,” explained Brandon Cerocke, the company’s director of sales and marketing. “We work with businesses to increase productivity and profitability through intelligent application and management of technology solutions.
“Our goal is to take IT out of our clients’ hands, so they can focus on growing their business,” he said.
It’s clear that in modern business, technology is both a principal resource and also a potential unknown. The ins and outs of security, networking and data solutions are evolving daily — sometimes, hourly — meaning IT experts need to continually evolve their expertise in order to serve their businesses optimally.
“As companies become more dependent on IT, it becomes a requirement to partner with an organization with years of experience and a large number of technical resources like us, which allows us to deploy a wide range of solutions to fit companies growing needs and dependence on IT,” Cerocke said.
IQ Technology Solutions has been locally owned and operated for 23 years. And not only does it take its daily directive of helping businesses manage technology seriously, but it also feels a deep-seated commitment to the community it calls home.
Years ago, it began to demonstrate this community commitment through an initiative bringing technology solutions to those who likely need it most.
“We engage with many local non-profits and partner with other organizations every year in the IT Makeover, which provides project labor and hardware to non-profits who otherwise may not be able to afford IT upgrades and infrastructure improvements,” Cerocke said.
He noted that with many of these companies, technology updates and enhancements are relegated to the back burner while the organizations focus their time and resources on helping clients. Therefore, much of the campaign funding goes to providing IT consulting, upgrades to old computer systems and implementation of new IT services, like cloud computing solutions.
Last year’s recipients of IT Makeovers included Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, Compassionate Community Clinic, Urban Roots and Neighborhood Mediation Center.
“We are deeply involved in and care a lot about where we are and who we support,” Cerocke said.
Learn more about IQ Technology Systems — and get the company’s take on the future of technology and how businesses must adapt to remain competitive — at NCET’s Tech Wednesday, April 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. NCET is a member- supported nonprofit producing networking events to help individuals and businesses explore and use technology.
Mikalee Byerman is Director of Audience Engagement for the Estipona Group and is NCET’s VP of Communications. This column first appeared in the Reno Gazette-Journal – RGJ.com
IQ Technology Solutions’ help desk.