Friday, August 29, 2014

Hi-Tech Health Upgrades to UCG’s VAULT400 BaaS Following Disaster

United Computer Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that Hi-Tech Health of Hackettstown, New Jersey has chosen UCG’s VAULT400 BaaS as its backup and DR solution. Hi-Tech Health experienced first-hand the disruption that occurs when disaster strikes. Although they had a BaaS solution in place, it failed to return the company to operations in an acceptable timeframe. Adding insult to injury, the provider’s customer service and pricing were disappointing.

Michael Carrara, President of Hi-Tech Health, responded to a USPS mailing he received from United Computer Group, Inc. highlighting their VAULT400 BaaS solutions. Michael was intrigued and requested a proposal. He also took the time to do due diligence and drive from New Jersey to tour UCG’s Cleveland, Ohio data center with Mike Powall, UCG’s Vice President.  The solid proposal addressed and met all of Hi-Tech’s requirements; the site visit sealed the deal for Michael and Hi-Tech. 

Michael Carrara stated, “After meeting your staff and receiving a detailed tour of your data center, I felt confident that my data will be in safe hands with UCG. From my beginning discussions with Mike Powall several months ago, I have been extremely pleased with the level of expertise, professionalism, and responsiveness by everyone I have spoken with at United Computer Group. I look forward to a long working relationship."

Today, Hi-Tech is securely backing up their data every evening. They have also subscribed to UCG’s VAULT400 Disaster Recovery Plan. In the event of a disaster, Hi-Tech business operations will return to business as usual in 12 hours or less. Vladimir Capitanov, UCG Lead Engineer, is in the process of providing a step-by-step action plan for the company in the event of disaster. A live test is also being scheduled. 

With Hi-Tech’s VAULT400 BaaS and DR solution firmly in place, they are now eligible for exclusive pricing on a new IBM Power 8 Solution Edition system from United Computer Group when they are ready to upgrade their IBM midrange system.

About Hi-Tech Health 

Hi-Tech Health was incorporated on May 1, 1990 when a shift in the Health Care Industry made a visible turn towards more individual and client specific offerings. Since then, Hi-Tech Health has specialized in providing custom designed Claims Administration Systems for Third Party Administrators, Insurance Companies, Preferred Provider Organizations and various other Claims paying entities. Hi-Tech Health's staff is comprised of highly motivated, energetic programmers and IT Professionals with an extensive knowledge of the Health Care Industry.  

Monday, August 18, 2014

I have been called a LOT of things...

... but "fascinating cat" has never been one of them until now!

UCG is very pleased and honored that our company was featured in Michael DeAloia's column Tech Czar Talk in the Sunday, August 17 Plain Dealer Business Section. We appreciate that Michael succinctly captured the essence of our 28 year history, and would like to share his article with you. We hope you enjoy it.  - Jim Kandrac

Tech Czar Talk: Reinvention is key for tech companies


Evolution is natural law in life and in business. Evolution weeds out the weak and rewards the clever. This week's column celebrates the evolution in our local technology ecosystem and highlights the benefits of investing in evolution as opposed to fighting it.

Hardware Broker to Managed Services Provider. If you ever get to spend a few moments with James Kandrac of United Computer Group (www.ucgrp.com) treat yourself. Good soul. Fascinating cat and perhaps the least well-known, but successful, tech entrepreneur in this region.

More than 25 years ago, Kandrac founded United Computer and has been the steady hand of leadership ever since. Coming out of college, he thought he wanted to work for "Big Blue" - IBM - but after an internship there he thought the environment might stifle his entrepreneurial flair. He vividly remembers coming home to his wife and 6-month old baby and lamenting his IBM fate when his wife offered up, "I don't care if we live above a bar on W. 25th Street, you have to love what you do." And soon thereafter he launched United Computer Group.

Originally, the company was in the brokerage business of selling new and used IBM equipment to local companies. It was a good business for a number of years but Kandrac could read the tea leaves that foretold hardware companies losing margins and relevance. He then repositioned the company as a national leader in the IBM iSeries. And for many years succeeded. But again, he took thought about the future of the company and a few years ago heavily invested in managed services - back-ups/restores, remote disaster recovery hardware, remote managed IT - and the business is booming again.


Three generations of businesses under the stewardship of a single man.


United Computer Group currently services more than 1,500 companies across the globe. He is now investing in facilities and marketing. He has done well in positioning his management team by only hiring great listeners and individuals who love to solve problems for the company's clients. Every seven years the company must re-engineer itself. It must evolve in the ever-changing, tumultuous IT landscape.


Michael C. DeAloia, author of Tech Czar Talk
Special to the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tired of keeping your fingers crossed?


United Computer Group
can answer ALL of these questions for you!


We'll help answer your questions regarding the status of your power protection devices AND provide solutions to your issues:
  • Confirmation of UPS sizing requirements
  • Warranty status
  • Extended warranties
  • Replacement batteries
We can also provide any backup power requirement from UPS systems to generators and all associated installation and service needs. 

Depend on UCG to define total power load and UPS solutions for:
  • New and existing server configurations
  • Single server to full computer room
  • UPS consolidation and economizing
  • UPS warranty extensions
  • Battery replacement

There is no critical power question or opportunity that is too small or too big. Give us a call at 800.211.8798 or email info@ucgrp.com today!


Thursday, August 07, 2014

UCG Webinar: BaaS (Backup as a Service) and Remote Hardware DR for IBM i and p Power Servers and Open Systems


You are cordially invited to join us for a Webinar:


BaaS (Backup as a Service) and Remote Hardware DR for IBM i and p Power Servers and Open Systems


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

2:00 PM - 2:40 PM EDT

REGISTER TODAY!


James A. Kandrac, President & Founder, United Computer Group, Inc. and Timothy Prostor, Senior Technical Engineer will educate and provide you and your team with the latest backup and DR options for IBM i and p Power Servers, and Open Systems.

Agenda items include:
  • RTO/RPO options to fit any budget
  • BaaS - Backup as a Service plus remote hardware DR for IBM i and p Power Servers & Open Systems (vSphere and Hyper-v)
  • ERA (local) and dual PnP Appliance Options + DR
  • Managed Service High Availability for < 1 hour RTO
  • Review UCG's interactive Backup Selector
  • Review of a client's IBM i Power and Open Systems backup requirements and retentions of 5 days, 4 weeks, 12 monthlies and 7 annuals - stored in two secure remote locations
IBM i Series - (24) Save Sets of 500GB would utilize over 12.5TB of tape - but only 190 GB with UCG's VAULT400
Intel - (24) Save Sets of 1TB of Intel data would utilize over 24TB of tape - but only 1 TB with UCG's VAULT400



Select the best options for your company and plan for Q4 2014 and 2015!





Space is limited.

Questions? Call 800.211.8798 or email info@ucgrp.com