Quantum Physics Made Easier? Centerprise Joins Forces with CERN for a Second Round

Media Release 21/12/16


Centerprise is proud to announce its award of a £1.7m contract with the renowned European Research Facility for Nuclear Science, CERN.

This year CERN release a global tender for the procurement of two lots of 210,000 HEP-SPEC06³ energy-efficient, rack-mountable systems for the CERN Data Centre, located in Meyrin, Switzerland.

The tender required bidders from across the world to provide a solution for the delivery of the required CPU Servers for Physics Data Processing, Acquisition and Control Systems, all according to CERN's predefined specifications and strict delivery requirements.

Another prerequisite of the tender was for bidders to supply test log files for power, storage and system performance, with successful bidders also providing a sample system for evaluation, in order to ensure the results matched those stated on the tender response.

In partnership with E4 Computer Engineering, Centerprise worked and tested a number of relevant solutions in order to ascertain the best fit for CERN's vigorous requirements. Upon completion of testing and pricing, Centerprise presented two compliant solutions which met CERN's criteria and offered the best results from a performance-price perspective.

Centerprise's credentials were undisputed, given its reputation as an established systems integrator and a reseller of a wide array of manufacturers, possessing certifications from Intel, AMD, Microsoft, and other major vendors. This, in addition to the company's ability to demonstrate its robust Quality Management System, as evinced by its notable list of ISO certifications, led to Centerprise's being deemed an approved CERN supplier.

Consequently, Centerprise was awarded a contract by CERN to supply over 210,000 HEP-SPEC06³ which resulted in a total of 120 servers with a further order of 15 servers, all which had to be built, tested and shipped within 8 weeks of CERN's purchase order.

Centerprise is proud to declare its smooth completion of the delivery in advance of the required date, with an agreement to provide support for servers delivered to CERN over the next three years.

Centerprise HPC Systems Integrator Account Manager, Ramsey Razzak, said:

"This is a prestigious contract win for Centerprise that validates our ability to build, configure and deliver computational equipment to highly-educated customers with specific configurations and strict deadlines."

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Ci Distribution Announces Official Partnership with Getac

 Media Release 09/12/2016

Leading rugged IT distributor, Ci Distribution, has signed a partnership contract with global designer and rugged mobile manufacturer, Getac. 

Having already witnessed phenomenal growth this year, Ci Distribution continues along its rapid path of development with an announcement of its latest partnership with Getac.

Getac offers the most extensive rugged computing product lines, ranging from laptops to tablets and handheld computers. The manufacturer caters to a wide range of vertical markets, including: military & defence, law enforcement, public safety, emergency services, utility, field services, oil and gas, telecommunications, transportation, and industrial manufacturing.

Since 1989, Getac has made a number of technological breakthroughs designed to improve the performance and safety aspects of utilising computers in dangerous environments. Such innovations include QuadraClear® sunlight readable display screens, night vision without goggles, advanced power saving technology, and the industry’s first resistive multi-touch display for use with gloves.

Ci Distribution will be working closely with Getac to actively promote their rugged mobile product lines, therefore offering Ci Distribution resellers an impressive product portfolio spanning across different vertical markets.

Emma, Business Unit Operations Supervisor, stated:

“Ci Distribution are delighted to announce this new and exciting partnership with Getac.  As a long standing manufacturer of Rugged Mobile Solutions the products fit perfectly into our strategy to be the No 1 Distributor of Rugged Products in the UK. We look forward to working closely with Getac and our customers on the products over the coming months.”

Chris Bye, Getac, stated:

“We are seeing a growing demand for rugged mobile devices across a range of sectors as mobility increases and businesses realise the potential ROI and productivity gains. Expanding our ecosystem of distribution and reseller partnerships through Ci Distribution is an important step for us in realising greater market opportunities.”

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LINK 2 Framework: Centerprise Lands Major Bidding Victory Second Time Running

Media Release 06/12/2016

Centerprise is proud to announce its successful award to the new Link:2 IT Hardware and Services Framework.

This Framework is to replace the previous Link-IT Framework Agreement, which expired on 16 December 2016, and consisted of 10 lots – 3 of which Centerprise tendered for and was appointed to in 2012.

Link:2 is available to be utilised by all NHS Trusts and Public Sector Authorities, as well as all NHS SBS Members and Associated Members. It covers PC/Client hardware, ranging from laptops and tablets, to Special Clinical IT Hardware and Deployment Services. The Framework provides quality assurance of supply for all IT hardware covered under the agreement and is fully OJEU compliant.

Bidding Link:2 began in September 2016, and like its predecessor, this agreement features a total of 10 lots. In order to be awarded a place on the Framework Agreement, companies had to be ranked in the top 8 bidders. Centerprise is proud to announce its competitive position in the top 8, and its award of a place on 6 different lots.

Centerprise's 6 awarded lots are as follows: Lot 1 Desktops, Lot 2 Laptops, Lot 3 Tablets, Lot 4 Healthcare IT, Lot 7 Printers/Scanners, and Lot 8 Deployment Services.

The Agreement works in conjunction with the Link Solutions Framework, which was awarded to Centerprise in April 2016, and which covers servers and related products and services, as well as storage, networking and third party software.

Centerprise Government and Healthcare Business Unit Manager, Darren Smith, said:

"The NHS SBS Link:2 Framework win is another step in our commitment and ambition to further expand our footprint within the Healthcare vertical."



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Ci Distribution to Offer a Full Range of Gigabyte and AORUS Gaming Notebooks

Media Release 05/12/2016

Basingstoke-based IT distributor, Ci Distribution, has added major brands, Gigabyte (GBT) and AORUS, to a rapidly growing portfolio.

Ci Distribution has entered into a promising partnership both with international computer hardware manufacturer, GBT, and gamer-focused brand, AORUS.

The AORUS brand, focused clearly on the Gaming and Performance segment, has developed a strong following and reputation since launching in 2014. AORUS hardware is specifically designed to suit the brand’s relatively thin and light gaming notebooks, which possess unique features such as high-end GPUs in a stunning, slim chassis design.

Ci Distribution’s role with both new partners will mainly focus on holding stock and actively promoting all GBT and AORUS gaming notebooks.

The addition of GBT and AORUS to Ci Distribution’s product portfolio has greatly bolstered the distributor’s current offering to its reseller database, enabling Ci Distribution to continue to uphold its commitment to the market by offering the best to its customers.

Having witnessed continuous growth in recent months, Ci Distribution believes that this broadened product range – along with its wide market reach in the UK and worldwide – will allow GBT and AORUS to considerably expand their presence within the industry.

The partnership will see Ci Distribution working together with both parties to provide them with the highest level of sales, logistics, and customer support.


Iain Gillogaley, Business Development Manager, stated:

“The addition of Gigabyte and Aorus notebooks will allow Ci Distribution to branch into the exciting and growing gaming notebook market. Gigabyte have a growing reputation within this market, and are renowned for being first to market with class leading technical specifications. A varied range of products cover all price points and customer needs, and allow users to experience an immersive gaming experience. With existing links into gaming resellers, the company look forward to bolstering their offering with the addition of the Gigabyte range.”

Steve Clark, UK Country Manager, commented:

“We believe both of our Gaming Notebook brands, Gigabyte and AORUS, will appeal to resellers of all shapes and sizes within Ci Distribution’s customer base. We are delighted to be able to have the opportunity to offer these products to Ci Distribution and its partners. We strongly believe that Ci Distribution is a valuable addition to our network and will enable us take our business to the next level within the UK; we very much look forward to working with them.”

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Centerprise Launches Distribution Assault with New Brand

ARTICLE published by CRN Online Magazine

Centerprise is pushing deeper into the distribution space with a new dedicated brand and sales office in Telford. The advent of 'Ci Distribution' will see Centerprise move beyond distributing just rugged devices and into the components and peripherals space.A new office in Telford dedicated to the brand has been established.

Jon Atherton, who joined Centerprise Group as commercial director in March, said the investment marks a big departure for the firm.

"Centerprise as a business has been trading for 33 years, predominantly, as everyone knows, focused on MoD and defence – obviously that has expanded over the years to different verticals, it has had a distribution team for in excess of 14 years but purely focused on rugged devices and peripherals, and they've been very successful selling those to the channel. But it was never separate as a business in terms of the branding. Since I've come on board I felt it was important to split that off, hence why Ci Distribution was born."

"It now has its own logo and focus within marketing and within the business." 

New hires in Telford include (pictured from left to right) Steven Parker, Iain Gillogaley, Ben Davies and Darren Perks, the latter of whom worked with Atherton at Entatech. 

Adding in the rugged device and peripherals team that works at Centerprise's Basingstoke HQ, Ci Distribution has a headcount of 12, up from five when Atherton joined. 

"We've got four people [in the Telford office] who have over 100 years' experience in IT distribution, who obviously know a lot of people at customers and suppliers," said Atherton.

"Our prime focus will be around components and peripherals and some unique products into the market. We are optimistic it will be a success."  Atherton added.

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YoYoTech Virtually Dominates Westfield Technology Show

Media Release 16/11/2016

Leading retailer of high-end computer components and customised gaming PCs, YoYoTech, takes part in one of its most successful events to date.

The Westfield Shopping Centre in London hosted its Technology Showcase event from 26th - 30th October, with YoYoTech situated on its list of exhibitors.

The Tech Show was accommodated with the aim of presenting tot he public the latest technology and innovations brought by prominent IT and gaming companies.

YoYoTech showcased its latest gaming PCs, various peripherals and monitors from a number of vendors, customised systems with a higher SP designed specifically for the event, and of course the Oculus Rift, which proved to be the event's main attraction.

Also present at the YoYoTech stand were representatives from both the MSI Notebook and ASUS teams, who were each offered their own section at the exhibit in order to push their products to YoYoTech customers. This allowed customers to interact directly with some of the top vendors represented by YoYoTech.

In addition to its being a successful event in terms of great sales, the Technology Showcase was also pivotal in allowing face-to-face contact with existing and potential YoYoTech customers, as well as generating further buzz around the brand name.

Business Development Manager, Ryan Pearton, asserted:

"We really showed our customers our Value add, when brought face-to-face with them."

YoYoTech Managing Director, CK Kohli, added:

"A truly amazing event, with a good chance to meet old and new customers, and a great response all around. Most importantly, however, it was great team work and I extend my gratitude to the Centerprise HR and Marketing teams for their help making the event a success. We look forward to attending many more events in the near future – YoYoTech rocks!" 

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Ci Distribution Takes on Branded Refurb Products as Part of Growing Portfolio

Media Release 07/11/2016

Industry-recognised IT distributor, Ci Distribution, is now equipped to sell branded refurb tablets, desktops and notebooks by all its tier one manufacturers. Moreover, all Grade 'A' refurbed products are backed with a direct end-user warranty to offer users invaluable peace of mind. 

Ci Distribution will be combining the hardware offering with Centerprise's ADISA-accredited (Distinction) Asset Retirement services. In this way, when it comes to both refurbishing and shredding, Ci Distribution guarantees the highest level of security, offering peace of mind to both its resellers and end customers. 

Ci Distribution can also offer a full retirement service to its reseller partners. Any resellers who take up those services – i.e. add them to their service portfolio – will no doubt be creating a stronger proposition with significantly increased value. 

Ci Distribution Business Development Manager, Darren Perks, asserted: 

"We will be stocking leading brand refurbs, which have gone through a stringent refurb process, to our reseller database at competitive pricing. The refurb market is certainly growing rapidly, especially as environmental concerns are pushing their way to the top of agendas and budgets are becoming 

Perks also stated:

"Ci Distribution will also be looking to partner with resellers and offer them an asset retirement service, which will only strengthen resellers' positions on tenders and quotes. There are so many opportunities which are overlooked when it comes to simply asking our customer the question: 'What are your intentions with your old systems and the data they hold?'"

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