STEP CG Opens Innovation Center in Northern Kentucky, Collaborating with Extreme Networks to Launch Authorized Training Partnership

By AIT News Desk On Jun 10, 2020

Leading MSP to Provide Networking Professionals with Opportunities to Retrain, Learn New Skills and Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow

STEP CG, Where Innovation Meets Execution, announced it is now an Authorized Training Partner for Extreme Networks, Inc, a cloud-driven networking company. STEP CG will deliver certified Extreme courses in its new Innovation Center and headquarters at the RiverCenter in Covington, Kentucky. Curriculum will include courses in networking, security, and cloud fundamentals, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence, giving area professionals the ability to learn new skills in the high-growth technology industry and helping new students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Extreme will outfit the Innovation Lab with approximately $1 million in edge, campus, and data center hardware and cloud solutions, including ExtremeCloud IQ, its industry-leading 4^th generation cloud management platform.

STEP CG headquarters, Covington, Kentucky

STEP CG is a leading managed IT, security, and cloud services provider. Earlier this year, the company announced an expansion project to bring investment, job creation, and retention to the region, further enabling the company’s innovation and collaboration with customers, vendor partners, and the local community of Covington. The project is supported by a Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) incentive.

Key Facts

The STEP CG Innovation Lab is a collaborative 7,000+ square foot commercial space that will provide STEP CG employees and customers with next-generation and industry-leading networking equipment from multiple vendors, and practical technology training and certification for industry and professional development.
Training and certification on Extreme solutions will be available on-site starting in Fall of 2020 as well as virtually.
STEP CG trainers will become Certified Extreme Instructors and will join other Extreme instructors delivering training to those on-site and virtually.
STEP CG is further collaborating with Extreme to embed its technical certification and training curriculum into the academic curriculum of local engineering and computing programs, including introducing Esports to K-12 and higher education customers.

Executive Perspectives

Dan Dulac, Vice President of Solutions Strategy, Extreme Networks, Inc.

“We are excited to partner with STEP CG to develop the next generation of networking talent. The Extreme Lab will provide STEP CG with the ability to offer valuable, hands-on training and certification on the latest innovations in cloud networking, security, and AI/ML technologies. Our practical curriculum – available physically and virtually – will give students a true, competitive advantage as they seek to advance their skills in the high-demand technology industry and make their way in the workforce.”

Rob Huff, Founder and President, STEP CG

“STEP CG has built a reputation as a company that constantly innovates and delivers next-generation technology solutions for businesses in our community. We are committed to bringing investment, job creation, and retention to the region. By partnering with Extreme Networks, a global leader in cloud networking, we are able to offer world-class training and certification in the latest and greatest networking best practices and innovations to inspire and grow the next generation of IT talent in greater Kentucky.”