ConvergeOne Acquires Empire Technologies

EAGAN, Minn., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvergeOne, LLC, one of the largest independent Value Added Solutions Providers (VASPs) in the United States, announced Thursday, December 31, that it has expanded its operating companies with the acquisition of Empire Technologies, an Avaya Platinum BusinessPartner based in Eatontown, NJ.

"The addition of Empire to ConvergeOne enhances our portfolio of communications solutions and services while maintaining the high standard of personalized service that our customers want and expect," according to John McKenna, CEO of ConvergeOne. "It puts us in a prime position to continue to drive business growth and deliver even more value for customers in 2010 and beyond."

ConvergeOne specializes in the IP telephony and convergence market, offering national reach, in-depth technical expertise, total solution focus, and hands-on service. The ConvergeOne companies include S1 IT Solutions, based in Boise, ID, and seven-time Avaya BusinessPartner of the Year NACR (North American Communications Resource), based in Eagan, MN, as well as the state-of-the-art ConvergeOne Service and Support Center (SSC) in Atlanta, GA.

Moving forward, Empire will partner with NACR -- the largest Avaya BusinessPartner and a nationwide leader in delivering comprehensive communications solutions and support tailored to a customer's needs. "With their common culture, and their shared focus on people and integrity as the keys to success, the pairing of NACR and Empire creates a perfect synergy within ConvergeOne," said McKenna.

"Since 1995, Empire has been known for maintaining relationships with our clients, and that won't change," according to Cordell Toson, CEO of Empire Technologies. "But our relationship with NACR will allow us to share resources and will complement both companies' ability to provide expert assistance to customers locally and nationally."

For example, Empire's extensive northeast regional operations will significantly expand NACR's sales presence in that region, while existing Empire customers can take advantage of local coverage through NACR locations elsewhere across the country.

In addition, the use of Empire's high-tech Network Operations Center (also located in Eatontown) along with the ConvergeOne SSC will enable both Empire and NACR to increase their capacity for system monitoring and delivery of other Managed Services. Empire Technologies also provides added Nortel maintenance expertise that will enhance NACR's current multi-vendor services offerings.

The combination of highly trained, experienced sales and technical teams from both companies will be a valuable asset to new and existing customers. In addition, customers will be able to take advantage of NACR's purchasing power as the largest Avaya BusinessPartner; state-of-the-art product preconfiguration, staging, and testing through the NACR Performance Readiness Center®; ongoing customer training and skill development through the NACR Center of Excellence for Learning and Development; and NACR-refurbished products.

Together, the companies will also benefit from the combined experience and knowledge of a seasoned, committed management team including Toson as well as Empire's COO, Richard Manhire, and NACR's President and CEO, Tom Roles.

About NACR

With offices nationwide, NACR (Eagan, MN) is a certified Avaya Platinum BusinessPartner, a seven-time Avaya BusinessPartner of the Year, multiple award winner from industry partners, and the Value Added Solutions Provider of choice for today's leading businesses. NACR delivers proven, scalable, cost-efficient solutions tailored to a customer's business communication needs, in an end-to-end package that includes consultation, design, implementation, and testing. With its strategic partners, including Avaya, NACR provides customers with solutions in VoIP migration, convergence, mobility, unified messaging, and contact centers. For more information, call 1-888-321-NACR (6227) or go to www.nacr.com.

About ConvergeOne, LLC

ConvergeOne, headquartered in Eagan, MN, is a leading Value Added Solutions Provider (VASP), serving as a critical link between OEMs and end users providing essential consulting and project management services related to custom design, installation, implementation, and maintenance of communication solutions. ConvergeOne, through its family of national VASPs, offers a "one-stop" destination for its broad spectrum of valued customer relationships, providing in-depth technical expertise and total solution focus. Custom services include converged networks and unified communication solutions, call centers, system design, implementation, integration, maintenance, data storage and archiving and other professional services primarily for mid-sized and enterprise businesses. For more information, visit www.converge-one.com.

SOURCE ConvergeOne, LLC