Huntington, NY, August 17, 2015 —Teq, a Huntington Station-based distributor of educational technology, has landed an exclusivity agreement to be the sole distributor of hardware and software products made by Smart Technologies to schools across New York State.

The statewide sales agreement with Canadian-based Smart, maker of interactive classroom whiteboards of the same name, is projected to increase Teq’s revenue by as much as 20 percent, said Chris Hickey, president of Teq. The reseller of educational technology to schools is projecting $50 million in sales for the year, not including gains from the new agreement, which takes effect Oct. 1.

“We do have a business plan, but we have to hire more people,” said Hickey, a former executive with CA Technologies. The company recently reopened its upstate sales office in Cicero to increase its reach throughout the state. “We’re expanding specifically in Syracuse and Buffalo,” he said.

Smart’s software-powered boards use touch screen technology, and newer models allow students using laptops or tablets to send information — like answers to math questions — directly to the front of the classroom wirelessly.

Until recently, 43-year-old Teq was one of six resellers of Smart products in the state, but only held an exclusivity agreement with Smart for New York City.

As part of a strategy to get more of its products into state schools, Smart has submitted a bid with the state’s Office of General Services in hopes of negotiating a contract to be a listed vendor of classroom tech to the state. Contracts like the ones Smart is seeking set a maximum price point at which products can be sold to government or municipal bodies.

Teq, which acts as both a seller and a marketing arm for the manufacturer, is also looking to partner with BOCES, an education agency that services school districts, in order to get more technology into more districts.

Company officials said they’re confident the deal will allow them to keep hardware and software prices below the negotiated state cap.

“We’re looking to use the volume to drive the price down,” said Damian Scarfo, chief executive of Teq and a former executive at CA.

Smart’s software-powered boards sell for $5,900 for older models and $6,500 for newer ones.

Teq is also hoping to benefit from the $2 billion in funding offered to school districts through Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Smart Schools Bond Act, approved late last year by voters, by offering districts who seek the funding delayed payment options.

Teq, which has 153 employees, has been in expansion mode after rebounding from a contraction that started in 2012, as schools cut back on technology purchases. The company plans to add bewteen 25 and 30 employees in the next six months.

About Teq

Dedicated to championing the evolution of the modern classroom, Teq has provided solutions to improve student learning since 1972. Its professional development team of more than 23 education professionals works closely to empower educators, leverage and improve technology integration, and increase student achievement and success in the Common Core curriculum. Teq provides clients with a unique blend of experienced service, innovative products, and incomparable support while fostering passion and creativity in the twenty-first century learning environment.

About SMART Technologies

Nearly 70 million teachers and students around the world use SMART solutions for education to make learning more interactive, engaging, effective and fun. A consistent innovator and the inventor of the SMART Board®, SMART’s education software includes the revolutionary SMART amp™ and the world’s most popular collaborative learning software, SMART Notebook®. With a full range of interactive displays, including flat panels, projectors, whiteboards and the SMART kapp® digital capture board, SMART helps educators achieve better learning outcomes. To learn more, visit smarttech.com/education.