Founded in 1996 by David Hodgdon PCG has survived economic turmoil during the dot.com bust earlier this decade and a highly competitive markeplace for IT management services.

PCG may have been one of the first in the region to provide managed IT services – to become a virtual IT department for all types and sizes of small businesses-but Hodgdon told Ventures that the company’s sucess has resulted from being customer service savvy and as technologically sophisticated as giant IT outsource vendors.

“If you don’t keep up, you’re out of the game,” Hodgdon said about PCG’s drive for the continual training.  “What I knew three years ago is different now.”

PCG, which has 12 highly trained and experienced employees to serve more than 300 business customers within an hour’s drive of Portsmouth, was recently recognized as a Microssoft Gold Partner.  Hodgdon admits such an achievement won’t bring in more customers but it’s an important step for a company of his size because it shows the level of dedication and profesionalism.

On returning to core values:

In the past, we’ve focused on training but we closed our training center when we realized this wasn’t where the market was going.  The customer wants us to be the go-to person for their IT needs.  We tried to be a Web designer but that wasn’t what we are.  We used to sell 20 brands of notebooks but now we are down to two to three brands because it allows us to focus on what we do best – being an IT adviser offering different levels of customized service plans.

On educating the customer:

We understand that our clients are reluctant to spend money but we try to help them understand the importance of being proactive, of not trying to build a house (IT system) in one day.  You are going to spend money but it’s important to look at the whole picture.  We have suceeded in some part because we have very high retention and referral rates – despite the fact that people aren’t always as loyal as they udes to be.

On the new work place:

When we first started, the Internet barely existed and e-mail wasn’t a vital tool.  Now people are addicted to these machines and the work place is almost ridiculous. There is less patience and the time line to respond has lessened because the IT is so important to their bottom line.

On challenges for success:

If you don’t keep up, you’re out of the game.  It’s like the Boston Celtics ( which recently made major roster changes)- you can’t do the same thing over and over and expect sucess.  Yesterday, I was at the show in Boston and realized that what In knew three years ago is different now.  One of our major challenges it to optimize our service schedule to create more predictability for our customers and ourselves.  We can’t react to problems like a fire drill because it’s pretty easy to get lost and not deal with important, strategic issues.

On his evolving role:

It’s more about managing people and the business.  I miss the part of the daily working to solve customer problems but on site but I’m more comfortable with where I’m at.  My focus is now on the business side, making payroll and using our revenues wisely tomake the business move effective and profitable.

On entering the consumer market:

With the Click’ n Fix ( the home computer specialist spin off), we are poised to do well in the market.  We spent a year of focused marketing to establish  a brand name and we have the infrastructure, technology and expertise to make it grow fast, to compliment the PCG business.  It’s about 10 percent of our overall business but I believe there will be a market explosion and local customers will find our prices and service hard to beat.

Delivering Strategic Technology Planning And A Range of  ”On Call” Information Technology Services to Small and Midsize Businesses

PORTSMOUTH, NH – December 13, 2004 —   PCG – also known as  Portsmouth Computer Group – a leading on-call information technology (IT) specialist for small to midsize businesses — has recently increased staff, expanded its services and moved to a new technologically advanced, 7500-square-foot building in Portsmouth.  The new technical work space, better suits PCG ‘s technology and growth demands with an infrastructure that has grown by 300%.  The combination of improved internal processes and systems and more functional space helps PCG best address client needs.

The secure and efficient management of information is critical to our clients,” says David Hodgdon, CEO and founder, PCG. “We are excited about the increased capabilities we can offer via our new technology center, enabling us to deliver the highest quality, cutting-edge yet cost-effective solutions.”

With the continuing rapid emergence of many new technologies, it is challenging for businesses today to keep abreast of developments, select the right technologies and then manage them effectively in an ever-changing, competitive marketplace.   PCG – whose technicians are Microsoft, Cisco and A+ Certified Network Professionals — works to help clients take proactive steps in making the most of their technological assets.  PCG works to streamline processes and systems while assessing, designing and delivering the best technology solutions for an organization to operate most efficiently.

PCG services include network protection, information security, disaster recovery, remote access, virus protection, wireless solutions, on-call IT, computer sales and ongoing service and support.  PCG offers a range of service options tailored to the clients’ needs and budgets — via a service contract – which enables the client to manage its ongoing information technology needs in a secure, predictable, efficient and cost-effective way.

“We actually work as partners with our clients to help them determine the best path for their particular business and technology needs, as we assess, create, deliver and maintain short- and long-term technology solutions, keeping in mind the clients’ budgets and business goals,” says Hodgdon.

Depending on the complexity of the technology issues being addressed or the level of service required,  PCG offers three options from standard, “on-call” maintenance to our midrange package to the PCG “premier” package, which includes utilizing PCG as an as-needed Chief Technology Officer, providing strategic insight and assisting in short- and long-term planning.

PCG service contracts include a wide range of offerings, depending on the solutions needed to help clients stay proactive in managing their technology systems, including yearly maintenance plans, routine upkeep of systems, troubleshooting against system failures and providing immediate response to catastrophic issues.

The three levels of service contracts are:

Bronze:
– 1-to-2 monthly visits of technicians on site
– Visits include: patch management & system back-up check
– Emergency Response of failed hardware within 48 hours

Silver:
– 1-2 monthly visits of on-site technician
– Response to failed hardware within 8 hours
– Visits include: patch management, virus/firewall updates, spyware scan, event viewer, system back-up check
– 5% discounted service hours beyond plan commitment
– Phone/internet and ISP service review
– License renewal monitoring
– 5% discount on hardware/software purchases
– Back-up log monitoring

Gold:
– 2 monthly visits of onsite technician
– Response to failed hardware within 4 hours
– Visits include: patch management, virus/firewall updates, spyware scan, event viewer, system back-up check
– 10% discounted service hours beyond plan commitment
– Phone/internet and ISP service review
– License Renewal monitoring
– 10% discount on hardware/software purchases
– Remote server monitoring, firewall log monitoring and responses to alerts
– Disaster recovery support & offsite storage of data
– “CIO to GO: (IT research & solution design, short-term and long-term planning)

Founded in 1996, PCG provides a full line of IT solutions and outsourced IT services to small and midsize businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.  For more information, please see the PCG Web site: www.pcgIT.com.  To schedule an interview or visit, please contact Jeanie Ryan at 603-235-5266 or Jeanie@pcgIT.com.

PORTSMOUTH COMPUTER GROUP

CLICK’N FIX “CLICKTICIANS” — ARE HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!

PCG Launches Click’n Fix — “Your ‘In-home’ Computer Specialist” –
Professional, Friendly, Local & Reliable Service — Aiding At-home Computer Users With Pesky Computer Problems

PORTSMOUTH, NH – May 9, 2005 — Click’n FixTM, “your ‘in-home’ computer specialist” – powered by PCG (Portsmouth Computer Group), is now making house calls! At-home computer and home office users in the seacoast area can call 603.766.7999 and request a “Clicktician” (professional, friendly, local technology superhero) to solve pesky computer problems … in the convenience and comfort of their own homes. The highly skilled (Microsoft, A+ and Cisco-certified) “Clickticians” will assess computer systems and issues, determining the best solutions, such as:

• Viruses, Spyware and SPAM
• System Tune-ups and Upgrades
• Parental Controls
• Performance
• Data Back-up
• Remote Access (telecommuters & home office users)
• Wireless
• Help with Shared Connectivity, etc.

“With Click’n Fix –our in-home service — PCG is bringing 100+ years of combined technical expertise to benefit the at-home computer user,” says David Hodgdon, founder and president of PCG and Click’n Fix. “PCG is known for being friendly, local and professional, and now home users can enjoy the same great sales, service and experience – in the convenience of their own homes with Click’n Fix.”

Click’n Fix — “your ‘in-home’ computer specialist” — powered by PCG, has 100+ years combined technical experience. Click’n Fix is located at 30 Mirona Road Extension in Portsmouth, NH, phone: 603-766-7999, and via www.clicknfix.net. For an interview or more information, please contact: Jeanie Ryan at 603-235-5266 or email: jeanie@pcgIT.com.