Wednesday, February 24, 2010

NSK Inc Recognized For Sustainability Efforts

For Immediate Release

NSK INC RECOGNIZED FOR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

Boston based IT consulting firm gets rave reviews from Earthworm Inc. for their recycling and conservation efforts for 2009


Boston, MA, February 24, 2010 - NSK Inc, a leader in IT consulting for small to medium businesses, has been recognized by Earthworm Inc. for their recycling efforts over the course of the 2009 calendar year. Based in Somerville, MA, Earthworm Inc. specializes in recycling office waste materials and implementing corporate recycling programs. NSK Inc and Earthworm began a partnership in 2009 to increase the sustainability of NSK Inc’s Boston office.

Over the course of a year, NSK Inc completely revamped their recycling program and made numerous positive contributions to the environment. NSK Inc reduced their carbon footprint (the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization) by 1.79 metric tons. Almost two tons of carbon was saved from being released into the atmosphere through NSK’s green initiative, helping to reduce their carbon footprint and reducing environmental impact.

In addition to lowering carbon emissions, NSK Inc also saved 180 pounds of bottles and cans, roughly 2400 pounds of paper (the equivalent of 20 trees), and recycled 390 pounds of electronics equipment. According to Tim Lasonde, the President of NSK Inc, “Being green fits within NSK’s mission of helping companies use technology to grow their businesses so that they are more efficient and productive. If we can show success and savings within our own organization, we can also help others achieve similar goals.”

NSK Inc’s efforts towards an eco-friendly business don’t stop with the Earthworm partnership. Nancy Keddy, Founder and CEO of NSK Inc, believes that the efforts are an ongoing event. “We must always be improving our processes and considering their impact on the environment.” In addition to the Earthworm program, NSK is currently transitioning their billing system to be paperless. Keddy says, “We are forward thinkers, so recycling is a must.”

About Earthworm Inc.
Earthworm seeks to conserve natural resources by promoting the recycling of office waste materials. We promote recycling by operating both small and large scale commercial recycling programs, and by serving as an educational resource to the public. This combination of hands-on experience and environmentalism enables Earthworm to be a pioneer in offering sustainable, workplace recycling programs. For more information, please visit www.earthwormrecycling.org.

About NSK Inc.
NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies. Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations. NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com.

Press Contact

For more information about NSK Inc, please contact:

Cathie Briggette
NSK Inc.
(p) +1 617 303-0480
(e) cathie@nskinc.com

Friday, February 19, 2010

NSK Inc Selects Autotask For PSA System

Boston IT consulting firm making switch to new, web-based, professional services automation system for time and project management

Boston, MA, February 19, 2010 – NSK Inc, a Boston-based IT consulting firm specializing in small to medium businesses, recently purchased the Autotask® Software System for the company’s Professional Services Automation software (PSA). Optimized for use by IT Providers, Autotask is an all in one resource for project management, billing and invoicing, and time reporting. The system runs off of a centralized cloud database and allows users to update from anywhere, a key reason why NSK chose the system.

Tim Lasonde, the President of NSK Inc couldn’t be happier. “Of all the products and PSA systems we looked at, Autotask is the easiest to implement. It has all of the features we need to enhance our clients’ experience.” NSK will be utilizing Autotask as a way to allow technicians from NSK to log hours and report remotely from any location; a benefit for when they are on the job and not in the office. Emily R. Steinberg, Office Manager at NSK Inc says that Autotask is a step up from the current system configuration. “It will help to keep NSK better organized and allow for easier billing and invoicing, as well as employee time tracking.”

The selection process wasn’t an easy one for NSK Inc. “We looked at many companies over the past two months, watched many demos, and participated in a few trials,” says Lasonde. “Autotask was the right choice for NSK because it allows us to improve our services for businesses in Greater Boston, streamline billing and invoicing, and measure the success of our employees.” NSK will implement Autotask over the next two months, and expects to be fully transitioned to the system by the start of the second fiscal quarter.

About Autotask Corporation
Autotask Corporation is the leading provider of innovative, web-based Business Management Software and Services designed exclusively for IT Service Providers, MSPs, IT Consultants, Systems Integrators and other technology solution providers. Accessible via any PC, at any time without any downloads, Autotask helps IT professionals intuitively manage and automate the key operations for their service business and integrates seamlessly with most Managed Services software applications. For more information on Autotask please visit http://www.autotask.com or call 518-720-3500. Autotask®, Autotask Go!®, Autotask Pro® are registered trademarks Autotask Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

About NSK Inc.
NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies. Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations. NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com.

Press Contact

To schedule a press briefing, please contact:

Cathie Briggette
NSK Inc.
(p) +1 617 303-0480
(e) cathie@nskinc.com

Friday, February 5, 2010

NSK Inc Makes Boston Business Journal Book Of Lists

Boston-based IT consulting firm makes Top 40 List for 2010; joins ranks of major IT firms in Boston

Boston, MA, February 5, 2010 – NSK Inc, a leader in IT consulting for small to medium businesses, has been included in the Boston Business Journal’s “Book of Lists 2010.” Considered a “Who’s Who in Boston Business,” the guide profiles some of the largest corporations in the Greater Boston Area. NSK Inc is featured under the category “Area’s Largest IT Consulting Firms,” showcasing forty technology companies in the Greater Boston Area.

Nancy Swan Keddy, CEO and Senior Partner of NSK Inc, is thrilled to be a part of this year’s selection. “It is a privilege this year to have NSK Inc recognized in the BBJ Book of Lists, 2010. NSK has always strived to be one of the top IT firms in Boston and this notoriety substantiates this accomplishment.” Keddy started NSK Inc in 1995, and the company has expanded since, boasting a workforce of almost thirty employees along with an extensive client list. According to Keddy, NSK Inc was founded on the idea that she “didn’t want to assist just one, but multiple organizations in growing and/or increasing their knowledge of both Information Technology and Development.”

About The Boston Business Journal
The Boston Business Journal is Greater Boston’s premier business newspaper, providing breaking news and comprehensive coverage of the region’s business community. Each weekly issue includes in depth articles covering a variety of industries, corporate profiles, executive spotlights, as well as our exclusive Top 25 Lists. BBJ also publishes daily business news through its robust website, BostonBusinessJournal.com, and daily email updates.

About NSK Inc
NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations. NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com/it.

Press Contact

To schedule a press briefing, please contact:

Cathie Briggette
NSK Inc.
(p) +1 617 303-0480
(e) cathie@nskinc.com

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Quick Security Tip


Social Engineering:

I was with a client the other day in a secure room. The client left for lunch, locking me inside the secure room. The door to the secure room contains a glass window that allows any passerby to see inside. An outside vendor comes by and knocks on the door. This immediately brought to mind a common problem.

While this vendor was almost certainly legitimate, my only interaction with this client is with this secure room and the individual who locked me in. I have no idea who this vendor is, or, even if he is the clients legitimate electrician, if he has any business being in this secure room at this particular time. I routinely see UPS/FedEx/USPS hold open doors for people to allow them access into an area in which they have no business, but the delivery person has no idea and, true to the intent of social engineering, allows the person in.

In my case, I walked up to the door and advised the external vendor that I did not have the authority to allow him access to this area. He was furious and began yelling. This reminded me that social engineering is not just walking into a building looking as if you belong. Social engineering can include being quite unpleasant.

If a person exclaims loudly enough that he belongs, perhaps someone will be more apt to open the door. It’s odd to me how people innately understand the problem of social engineering when they’re at home, but quickly forget it at work.

To put this situation in the light of a personal situation, imagine you are visiting a friend at his home. He trusts you, so when he has to run a quick errand, he leaves you at his house and locks the door. Moments later, the cable guy shows up and demands entrance to install a new cable hookup. You would almost instinctively refuse entrance, and if he became loud and obnoxious, you may even call the police. Why would you act differently at work?

-Ben.

Ben Howard is a Sr. IT Consultant with NSK Inc

NSK Inc.
75 Kneeland St., Suite 201
Boston, MA 02111
617-303-0480

Monday, February 1, 2010

IT Associate At NSK Inc Receives VMWare Certification

Boston IT consulting firm now certified in VMware vSphere 4 virtualization

Boston, MA, February 1, 2010NSK Inc. recently announced that one of their IT Associates, Justin Etling is now a VMware® Certified Personnel. VMware software allows system administrators to run multiple operating systems on one CPU and lets users create virtualized servers. Etling is certified in VMware’s vSphere™ 4, a cloud computing application designed to manage large pools of virtualized computing infrastructure including hardware and software components. According to Etling, “virtualization is the future of the IT industry.”

“Virtualization is going to be a huge project driver for small to medium businesses (SMB) in 2010,” comments Timothy Lasonde, President of NSK Inc. “As small businesses begin to realize that they can get more out of their equipment by implementing these new technologies, the demand for qualified technicians who understand SMB companies and how to correctly utilize this technology is skyrocketing. Justin is leading NSK in its virtualization efforts and his certification helps to position us appropriately.”

In order to become VMware certified, Etling completed a fifty hour training course which culminated in a certification exam. He says the course was very beneficial and that VMware is “really easy to use and implement.” Once a technician becomes a VMware Certified Professional, they are officially licensed to use, install, and configure VMware solutions. Etling claims his new credentials are a huge asset to NSK Inc. “A lot of our clients use [VMware] to save money on hardware and software costs. Our clients also use the application for disaster recovery. If a server dies, you can instantly bring it up on another server, which minimizes downtime.”

About VMware

VMware delivers solutions for business infrastructure virtualization that enable IT organizations to energize businesses of all sizes. With the industry leading virtualization platform – VMware vSphere™ – customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2008 revenues of $1.9 billion, more than 150,000 customers and 22,000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualization which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

VMware, VMware vSphere and VMware vCenter are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

About NSK Inc.

NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies. Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations.

NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com.

Press Contact

To schedule a press briefing, please contact:

Cathie Briggette

NSK Inc.

(p) +1 617 303-0480

(e) cathie@nskinc.com