Ergo or Stone

[ccc]

We have a lot of PC's and Laptops from Stone but have received competitive quotes from Ergo in Nottingham, question has anyone on Edugeek bought PC's & laptops from Ergo, what are they like i.e. performance and do they last also how good is customer support.

 

One last final question I have heard that the company Ergo has been taken over is this true and is it good or bad news?

 

ccc

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Hi CCC,

 

Congrats on supporting UK system builders! Would you like some VeryPC quotes too? Our products are very similarly priced to Ergo and Stone. Ergo are now part of the same group that own Zoostorm; VIP Group acquires IT supplier Ergo Computing UK - Smith Cooper - Midlands Accountants

 

If you would like an alternative quote feel free to get in touch and I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. My email is in my sig.

 

Cheers,

Col

 

Best,

Col

[clockend25]

Ergo have come in cheapest on a recent quotefest I initiated, so any opinions on their quality would be useful to me also.

[ronnoco]

We brought 80 Ergo devices over the summer. The kit itself is very good and yes, prices are brilliant but Ergo have recently been brought out and are going through a transition.

 

It took a long time for the kit to arrive, we are actually still waiting for some blanking plates we ordered despite multiple e-mails, calls, etc.

 

We had a warranty claim last week which was a bit of a faff getting it logged at getting an engineer out. Telephone support weren't particularly helpful and we were originally told they had no parts in stock.

 

Personally, I don't think you can beat Dell. Their warranty is amazing, you literally couldn't ask for more. If you can find a good Dell re-seller (don't buy direct from Dell) and get Dell at not a lot more than your Ergo prices, go for Dell!

 

I would go for Dell every time, we already have 350 of them but unfortunately, this summer I just couldn't get the right deal and the budget was too tight. next time, i'm going to wait for an offer from someone like Pulsar Online or EuroPC.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited November 19, 2014 by ronnoco

[ccc]

Our Finance Manager gets all quotes from CPC

[Iain.Faulkner]

We quite regularly go through the pricing process for new PC's and Ergo are always the best priced and by some distance (our business manager would prefer me to use a variety of suppliers, but on cost alone we can't justify it). I've used Ergo in my current school (purchased approx 200 PC's) and in my last school (approx 500 PC's) and have been using their kit for around 6 years now. I cannot fault the quality of the PC's we buy, it is pretty rare (in my experience) that they have a problem and when they do, we can normally get an engineer on site next day. I believe, if you ask, they will also provide you with a buffer stock of parts for PC's allowing you to do some repairs yourself much quicker than having to rely on an engineer (I know this means you have to do it, but it does give you a quick fix).

 

My previous school has now had a large batch of Ergo's for 6 years, so are now outside of the warranty and they still perform well by all accounts.

 

They have recently been purchased by the VIP group, which also own Zoostorm, but what I've found is that the only impact this has had is on pricing which has become cheaper.

 

I would agree that they seem to be a company in transition, there seems to be a lot of staff change in the background, but I haven't noticed it really impact on anything (certainly not on a PC supplying side anyway).

 

Hope this is of use.

 

Iain

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Ah, that CPC contract doesn't end until next April. For CPC members, VeryPC products can be sourced via Softcat, Misco, Kelway, or Euro Ele.

[Gibson335]

Checked Ergo out and went to their HQ. It's quite a system, but in the end I just wasn't convinced about the build quality, although we were considering taking a risk...but I managed to get Stone to drop their prices and we stuck with them. Their pre-sales, post-sales, support, warranty and quality of build is superb IMHO.

[clockend25]

Hmm. Anyone want to give me some thoughts on the Very PC Thinbooks in comparison?

 

Not you Colin.

[Hawkeyez]

We brought 80 Ergo devices over the summer. The kit itself is very good and yes, prices are brilliant but Ergo have recently been brought out and are going through a transition.

 

It took a long time for the kit to arrive, we are actually still waiting for some blanking plates we ordered despite multiple e-mails, calls, etc.

 

We had a warranty claim last week which was a bit of a faff getting it logged at getting an engineer out. Telephone support weren't particularly helpful and we were originally told they had no parts in stock.

 

Personally, I don't think you can beat Dell. Their warranty is amazing, you literally couldn't ask for more. If you can find a good Dell re-seller (don't buy direct from Dell) and get Dell at not a lot more than your Ergo prices, go for Dell!

 

I would go for Dell every time, we already have 350 of them but unfortunately, this summer I just couldn't get the right deal and the budget was too tight. next time, i'm going to wait for an offer from someone like Pulsar Online or EuroPC.

 

Hope this helps.

 

We use Ergo at the moment, but starting to look around elsewhere. We have found the speed of orders being delivered as been slowly getting worse.

We to are waiting on blanking plates that was ordered weeks ago. From what I gather, there support is slowly (if not already) been removed from the Nottingham base.

 

Hawkeyez

[tmcd35]

I used Ergo a few years back, can't remember why I stopped (not competitive?). For build quality, as with VeryPc and Novatech, all the models I've ever seen have been rebadged Clevo jobs. Never had any complaints. Lenovo's and Toshiba's have faired worse.

 

For suppliers - VeryPC, Novatech and Stone. Though I might upset Colin and tap up Ergo on my latest laptop requirement instead of Novatech.

 

The VeryPC Thinbooks. Only given them to teachers. Everyone of them loves them and is guarding them jealously! They won't even let me do routine maintenance work in fear I don't give them back or try to replace it with another model! Seriously, the ones we got here - very impressed.

[DarrenShan]

I used to use Ergo and they were OK, had some issues that never got resolved but then moved over to Very PC and never looked back!

 

Very PC's well made, well priced and support is out of this world, for example is I have a PC with a faulty hard drive, Very PC as more than willing to send me the replacement drive (if I'm happy to do it myself) rather than play phone tennis or have to send the unit back.

 

Get a quote from Very PC!

[Heebeejeebee]

Personally, I don't think you can beat Dell. Their warranty is amazing, you literally couldn't ask for more. If you can find a good Dell re-seller (don't buy direct from Dell) and get Dell at not a lot more than your Ergo prices, go for Dell!

 

I would go for Dell every time, we already have 350 of them but unfortunately, this summer I just couldn't get the right deal and the budget was too tight. next time, i'm going to wait for an offer from someone like Pulsar Online or EuroPC.

 

Hope this helps.

 

We've been buying a lot of Dells lately and we never go direct to them. I can get a better price point from a reseller (currently using Total Computers - Dan) who always comes up trumps. Just make sure that Dell put your college name on any lease you may take out because they often put the supplier down and this makes warrantee repairs more painful.

 

HBJB

[calapso]

We use Ergo at the moment, but starting to look around elsewhere. We have found the speed of orders being delivered as been slowly getting worse.

We to are waiting on blanking plates that was ordered weeks ago. From what I gather, there support is slowly (if not already) been removed from the Nottingham base.

 

Hawkeyez

 

I have quite a few of my schools converted to Ergo kit. Been very happy with the kit (mostly re-badged Clevo). Other main deciding factor was their support which was excellent until now. Since the takeover things have got worse and does not look like it is going to improve. The customer service is useless and have had quite a few issues with them. They don't seem to care and left me with very little confidence. Avoid if you don't want support headaches. I have not ordered any kit since the takeover so I can't comment on the sales side.

I am definitely NOT recommending Ergo (sorry) and will be going elsewhere when my schools come up for their hardware refresh.

[ChickenDhansak]

One thing I've always liked about Stone was the onsite nbd warranty which I've never been let down on. Out of interest are there any suppliers that match this for a reasonable price?

[ccc]

VeryPC (Very good company) but were £2000.00 more than Stone. The only other company that had a better price than Stone (Only Just) were Lanway but the PC's were Zoostorm?

 

ccc

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

VeryPC (Very good company) but were £2000.00 more than Stone. The only other company that had a better price than Stone (Only Just) were Lanway but the PC's were Zoostorm?

 

ccc

 

I was £2k more than Stone!?

[ccc]

Yes Colin £2,200 more including 5Yr NBD OSW and Monitors.

 

ccc

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Wowser. Re-quote in your inbox in 10 mins.

[calapso]

I have quite a few of my schools converted to Ergo kit. Been very happy with the kit (mostly re-badged Clevo). Other main deciding factor was their support which was excellent until now. Since the takeover things have got worse and does not look like it is going to improve. The customer service is useless and have had quite a few issues with them. They don't seem to care and left me with very little confidence. Avoid if you don't want support headaches. I have not ordered any kit since the takeover so I can't comment on the sales side.

I am definitely NOT recommending Ergo (sorry) and will be going elsewhere when my schools come up for their hardware refresh.

 

Update:

 

Have had deal with with support recently. Had a fault with an Ergo which is still under 3 Year on site warranty. No problem I thought. Called Ergo. They then said I had to call Ergodevices who are based in Warringtom. Gave me a number which was an 0844 number. No alternate number available. School phone system has premium numbers blocked so had to use my mobile. This is 40p a minute on my Vodafone tariff!!!

Anyway logged the call and got response to say could I pack the machine and send it to them. This was not practical as the machine was still workable and being used in the class with no spare to replace. Asked for a loan but they had a nosebleed. I pointed out that this is an on site warranty. Finally they sent an engineer out after a week. he turns up with a wrong part. Called them again and after much discussion they rescheduled another visit a week later. A chap turns up and drops off a part and goes away. Called CMS again and they then sent and engineer who finally replaced the part and I got a fully working machine finally. My phone bill at 40p a minute ran to a total of £28 !!!!!

I am very concerned as to the quality of support and the personnel used to support. First two people who turned up were Eastern Europeans who could barely speak English. The third one was also foreign but better English but technical knowledge was questionable as I had to guide him. I have nothing against immigrants but I just want a good simple service without any hassle.

So Ergo hardware is now supported by Ergodevices who somehow work with CMS. CMS then subcontract it to another company called Echo in this case who then subcontract it to someone else which could be independent self employed 'engineers'. Hmmm do I feel confident with these lot? Most definitely not.Two other technicians I know of have had similar experience.

 

Those of you who maybe looking at VIP, Zoostorm or Ergo beware. I can't speak for anyone else but my experience has been dreadful.

Edited December 8, 2014 by calapso

[sonofsanta]

One thing I've always liked about Stone was the onsite nbd warranty which I've never been let down on. Out of interest are there any suppliers that match this for a reasonable price?

 

Novatech also offer this IIRC. VeryPC probably do as well, not got any direct experience as yet though.

 

Personally I prefer an RTB warranty; both Novatech and Stone have both given me extra machines in the past to use as Hot Swaps while the original is repaired, or given me a stock of spare components on site for rapid repair, and I can then arrange replacement of the faulty part. Works out at much less downtime for the user - I can get to the classroom with a spare machine within ten minutes. Ain't no engineer gonna beat me on that

[Iain.Faulkner]

Having seen @calapso do an update on Ergo, I thought I'd provide my own.

 

We logged a couple of calls regarding Ergo devices which we'd had in school for less than a year (5 year on site warranty). We were also asked to send them back, which for us as well wasn't really practical, mainly as we didn't have anything to send them back in. Eventually managed to get them to agree to send an engineer out. Engineer came on site, didn't know how to take the PC's apart (struck me as strange as previously we had a guy come from Ergo who was very good). I showed him how to take the case apart, he replaced the part but didn't fasten it back in properly. Didn't notice this till after he'd left the site, so we had to screw the part back in to stop students poking stuff inside the PC case. Can't say we were overly impressed by the level of service, either in reporting the incident nor with the quality of service provided by the engineer. I've used ERGO almost exclusively for 4/5 years now and am disappointed to say the least.

 

In addition, I've asked for a quote for 90 PC's with a couple of options on them (increased memory and SSD's on the options)...certainly not a small order. Initially I was emailing my account manager (who was always very good at getting back to me). Found out, eventually, that my account manager had left (nobody at ERGO thought to tell us this though and it would seem that no-one was checking her email) and we had a new account manager. They are coming in to see us on Thursday for an "Introduction Meeting"....can't say it's been the best of starts for them though.

[HTCPCP]

WE bought a load of Ergo windows 7 tablets a few years ago, and were less than impressed with them. Yes, they were never going to be record breakers with the specs of a netbook, but did have a great stand on the side, however implementation was poor, with a lot of case flex which wasnt there on the show model we tested. within 2 years all were essentially dead, with failed batteries, or legs broken off. since then, we haven't even looked at them!

[StevieM]

I've just got 34 brand new @VeryPC Broadleaf Access all ready to go. They weren't the cheapest of the obligatory 3 quotes I had to obtain, but I was prepared to pay the extra for the superior build quality, 5 year warranty, green credentials, custom branding options and customer relations like you wouldn't believe. I was also able to convince the board of governors that I was right. Saying that, I did have the headteacher backing me because he just LOVES his Thinbook.

 

Anyways, the icing on the cake came when @VeryPC_Colin_M informed me (and I don't think this is public knowledge just yet, so don't tell anyone) that I would be able to order under the Microsoft TAP scheme. This significantly reduced the initial quote and brought it to within a gnat's whisker of the cheapest quote, which offered NONE of the added extras.

@VeryPC are now definitely our supplier of choice. If you've had a quote in the past and not been able to justify the additional cost, give them another go and you just may see a difference. If you've never been quoted before, I would highly recommend that you give them a shot.

 

PS I'd post a pic of our amazing custom branding, but the kids (and most of the staff!) haven't seen it yet and they should be first. I'll take a photo when I've got the whole suite setup over the Christmas hols.

[sonofsanta]

Anyways, the icing on the cake came when @VeryPC_Colin_M informed me (and I don't think this is public knowledge just yet, so don't tell anyone) that I would be able to order under the Microsoft TAP scheme.

 

Now that is excellent news - TAP was basically the difference between VeryPC and the other two quotes (who were in the scheme at the time) when we went to tender earlier this year. Should make for an interesting tender board for the summer now