It is no surprise that the current COVID19 Pandemic has affected businesses of all sizes and circumstances. The urgent need for social distancing affects different types of services that require direct interaction between people. All nonessential businesses were ordered to close down due to stay-at-home orders during this pandemic. As a result of this drastic reduction in business operations and revenue, unemployment across the nation has been on a rampant increase.

This also includes, but is not limited to, Minority-Owned Business Enterprises. Smaller businesses have seen their customer base purchase less and monitor their budget closely since these are uncertain economic times. In response to these troubling economic trends, there have been many helpful resources such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the federal government’s stimulus package. Another resource for small minority-owned businesses is that former NBA Star Magic Johnson, CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, partnered with MBE Capital Partners to offer $100 Million in loans to minority and women-owned business enterprises.

This initiative to provide support to MBE, WBE, and MWBEs is for businesses that have not received support from PPP funds and are impacted by the COVID19 Pandemic. Congress set aside the PPP funds but they were quickly depleted. Many Minority-Owned Businesses have not been able to receive support from the PPP funds due to the lack of relationship with bigger banks.

This is a helpful resource for the M/WBE Community nationwide. Supplier diversity helps diversify the source of our GDP but also provides opportunities to minority and immigrant communities from varying economic backgrounds. During these difficult times, it is important that our fellow M/WBEs take advantage of these business resources.

Compulink Technologies, Inc. is an MBE Certified in New York City, New York State, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Even during these times, we have access to reserve IT stock for government agencies to remain operational during the pandemic. We remain supportive of our colleagues in the business community and from public institutions.

The Compulink Team has spent two week working remote thus far.  While this is an adjustment period for all sectors, we wanted to provide you a status update for our operations.  Compulink Technologies operations are still running and we are able to take orders.

Last week we accepted multiple emergency procurement orders and we are still able to take more orders.  Additionally, we are working remote with access to our emails and calls to the office route directly to individual cell phones after you dial the extension.

We wanted to reiterate our commitment to supporting both public and private institutions in these trying times and helping keep our public infrastructure alive.  If there is anything you or your agency needs assistance with regarding Information Technology, do not hesitate to contact Sales@compu-link.com.  Click below to reach this email directly.

Due to the CoronaVirus Outbreak and the social distancing practiced by the masses, schools and universities have closed. Public Schools are said to be closed until at least April 30. While students were excited for the time off as a vacation, the education system has adopted a remote access model for students and teachers to access at home.

Students and teachers are using Microsoft Teams to communicate and each different class has their own chatroom. Parents are expected to ensure students are remaining productive in their homes. While schools are closed due to social distancing initiatives, this is an important initiative to help the education system continue.

Official information on Remote Learning Can be found here)

However, there have been some setbacks in remote education. A remote education system being suddenly implemented is under the assumption that every student has access to a computer at home. This is not the case. Many students began remote learning last week without the proper tools. Some households have one computer and two or more students that need to use it simultaneously.

The City is purchasing devices for students who live in public housing and are from low income neighborhoods. New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza estimated that there are a shortage of 300,000 devices across the city that will be provided to the students in coming weeks.

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While the New York City Department of Education is currently purchasing laptops for students; there will be an adjustment period. After laptop devices, students may not have the proper headphones or other supplementary hardware to be engaged with the education.

Remote education was a sudden adoption which will cause initial hurdles in the process. It is highly advisable that when schools are back in session, teachers begin to increasingly incorporate laptops into the educational process. This would help the access to education become remote-friendly. Should students need to be home or have a homework packet during vacation, they are able to use their laptops to resume work.

Compulink Technologies became officially certified as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) in the State of New Jersey this week. This means that Compulink can help New Jersey based public institutions and business enterprises can meet supplier diversity goals.

Compulink Technologies is a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise in the City and State of New York. Because of our extensive experience with IT, strong relationships with multiple brands, and track record for procurement; we have been able to help public and private institutions in New York maintain stable, secure, and efficient IT environments.

Click here to read our case study of a recent NYC Gov Services Project

Compulink Technologies also sponsors the Compulink E-Store, a free online product research resource that can expedite supplier diversity engagement for both public and private institutions. Signing up for the Compulink E-Store is 100% free and convenient.