What Northeastern Regional Information Center does

Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) is one of 12 Regional Information Centers (RICs) organized under the New York State Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) framework, operating as a division of Capital Region BOCES. The organization delivers cooperative educational technology services to K-12 public school districts across 17 counties in northeastern New York, serving 7 constituent BOCES and 130+ districts with a portfolio spanning administrative services, business services, information security, instructional/e-learning, and information technology. Core technical offerings include the eScholar-based Data Warehouse with the proprietary DataFlow automated extraction service (pulling data from student information, HR, and special education systems), the high-definition Distance Learning platform (serving 3,000 students daily), NERIC Cyber IQ adaptive security awareness training, and hosted server infrastructure. Service Desk operations and a ServiceNow ticketing system underpin 24/7 customer support, with the service catalog integrating third-party platforms such as Microsoft (EES), Google Workspace, PowerSchool, eSchoolData, SchoolTool, Canvas, Schoology, CrowdStrike, Cisco Umbrella, Mimecast, Verkada, and ClassLink into a unified delivery layer.

NERIC's business model is a cooperative subscription framework: school districts subscribe to Cooperative Technology Services (CTS) via CoSer service codes through annual superintendent-level budget authorizations, with cross-contracting available to districts outside Capital Region BOCES (subject to a 4.5% administrative assessment). Revenue streams include recurring subscriptions to software/platform licenses (priced per device, user, or FTE — e.g., CrowdStrike at $10.40-$28.66/device, Microsoft EES at $53.60/EQU, Cisco Umbrella at $13.74-$18.03/FTE), managed services (MDR, hosted servers at $1,184-$1,751/server), installment purchasing for technology equipment (3-5 year terms, $75,000 minimum), and group purchasing programs (NYS Cyber Insurance Consortium offering up to 30% premium savings). The organization is publicly funded, statutorily created, and not venture-backed. Operational scale signals include 130+ districts served, 137 schools/BOCES enabled with 275 broadband connections, 477,500+ test sheets processed annually, 30,000+ spam emails blocked daily, and 2,000+ educators trained through Model Schools each year, with two offices in Albany (headquarters) and Plattsburgh (North Country regional office).

Name

Northeastern Regional Information Center

Legal name

Capital Region BOCES (Northeastern Regional Information Center)

Website

https://neric.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) is a New York State BOCES-affiliated cooperative that delivers managed educational technology services — including IT support, cybersecurity, data warehousing, distance learning, and instructional platforms — to 130+ K-12 school districts across 7 BOCES in 17 counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Technology Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Education Service Agencies (ESAs/BOCES/Intermediate Units) (EDADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

School IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity for K–12 (Network, Identity, SSO) (EDAJAMAM), K–12 SIS & District Administration Platforms (EDAFAEAA)

Keywords

• Educational technology services
• K-12 technology support
• Cooperative IT services
• School district cybersecurity
• Data warehouse solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Cooperative Technology Services (CTS): Subscription-based cooperative technology services where school districts subscribe to managed IT support, with pricing based on service costs and individual district requirements.
2. Software and Platform Subscriptions: Districts subscribe to various supported software platforms (student information systems, e-learning tools, security services) with per-service codes and pricing tiers.
3. Cross-Contract Services: Districts outside Capital Region BOCES can access NERIC services through cross-contracts, with a 4.5% administrative assessment added to offset legacy costs.
4. Installment Purchasing: Technology equipment installment payment plans with 3-5 year terms for large-scale purchases, requiring $75,000 minimum threshold.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NERIC provides cooperative educational technology services, managed IT support, software platforms, and cybersecurity solutions to K-12 school districts and BOCES across 17 counties in northeastern New York State. The organization operates as a division of Capital Region BOCES, delivering services through five core categories: Administrative, Business, Information Security, Instructional/E-Learning, and Information Technology Services, supported by a Service Desk, ServiceNow ticketing, and professional development programs.

Product overview

NERIC provides comprehensive educational technology services to K-12 school districts across New York's Capital Region through a portfolio of interconnected products and services organized into five main categories: Administrative Services, Business Services, Information Security Services, Instructional and E-Learning Services, and Information Technology Services. The Administrative Services umbrella includes student information systems support (eSchoolData, PowerSchool, SchoolTool), DataFlow and Data Warehouse coordination for data integration, cafeteria systems, and various classroom management tools. Business Services encompasses financial management solutions like WinCap, Allovue, and Tax Billing Services, along with BoardDocs for board management. Information Security Services provides CrowdStrike endpoint protection, managed detection and response, and Mimecast email security. Instructional Services offers the Cooperative Virtual Learning Academy (CVLA), Distance Learning with Webex integration, and College and Career Readiness platforms including Naviance and Xello. The portfolio includes an AI Planning & Platforms service for districts implementing artificial intelligence, as well as NERIC Cyber IQ for adaptive security awareness training. All services are supported by cooperative IT services, server hosting, and professional development through Model Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cooperative Virtual Learning Academy (CVLA): A virtual school open to students in kindergarten through grade 12 from participating school districts, offering both elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) programs.

Products and services

• Administrative Services Wide array of services for school districts to manage data, functions and processes including cafeteria systems, classroom management, data collection and reporting, data security and privacy, election services, electronic signature, health information systems, mass communication, multimedia, MTSS services, single sign-on, special education, student engagement, student safety, testing, and workflow solutions.
• Business Services Software and support for school district business operations including board of education services, enterprise service management, facilities services, financial services, physical security equipment, and professional development tracking.
• Information Security Services Cybersecurity services tailored for K-12 school districts including CrowdStrike endpoint protection, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, and Umbrella DNS filtering.
• Instructional and E-Learning Services Software, tools and systems to support classroom instructional goals including APPR management, distance learning, e-learning support, instructional technology integration, local assessments, and teacher evaluation systems.
• Information Technology Services Comprehensive IT support for school districts including cooperative technology services, domain name services, email protection, hardware/software support, internet connectivity, content filtering, and voice communication.
• Cooperative Technology Services (CTS) Customer-focused IT resources and management including strategic planning, procurement, project consultation, user support, and ServiceNow ticketing for districts subscribing to cooperative technology services.
• Cooperative Virtual Learning Academy (CVLA) Virtual school for K-12 students from participating districts with elementary (K-6) structured schedule and secondary (7-12) customized learning.
• Distance Learning Regional distance learning service enabling districts to expand academic offerings through high-definition interactive video and online conferencing platforms.
• Model Schools Regional educational technology support program with workshops, webinars, professional development, and STEAM tool lending library for educators.
• DataFlow Automated data extraction and import service that moves data from student information, HR and special education systems to the Data Warehouse Level 0.
• Data Warehouse Coordination eScholar-based data warehouse solution integrating student, special education, nutrition and HR data into a single repository with direct district access.
• NERIC Cyber IQ Adaptive security awareness platform that transforms users into proactive security assets through personalized, behavior-driven education.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Planning & Platforms AI solutions service for educational planning and operational efficiency including professional development and AI-driven tools for data analysis and personalized learning.
• College and Career Readiness Services Suite of online applications for district guidance offices including Guidance Direct, Naviance, SchooLinks, and Xello for college/career planning and student portfolios.
• Tableau Data Reports Service Data visualization service connecting to Data Warehouse Level 1 and Level 2 State Reports for instructional focus and ESSA Accountability.
• Cyber Risk Assessment Executive-level risk assessment including IT security audit, vulnerability scan, penetration test, open-source intelligence report, continuous monitoring, and mitigation plan aligned to NIST CSF.
• Hosted Server Services Secure server hosting within NERIC data center with OS build, maintenance, monitoring, and backup management in Small/Medium/Large tiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000 students connect via Distance Learning daily
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Regional Information Centers (RICs) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERIC is one of 12 Regional Information Centers organized under BOCES in New York State. RIC directors meet monthly to coordinate statewide initiatives, share best practices, and leverage capabilities across the state.
• Capital Region BOCEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERIC is a division of Capital Region BOCES. The BOCES provides administrative support including HR and employment processes, while NERIC focuses on educational technology services.
• New York State Education Department (NYSED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNERIC coordinates with NYSED for instructional technology plan reviews, Smart Schools Bond Act resources, and state data reporting requirements including SIRS compliance.
• Microsoft (EES Program)majorTechnology or IntegrationThrough the Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) agreement, NERIC provides districts with licensing for Windows, Office Professional, and O365 A3 products.
• BlackboardmajorTechnology or IntegrationMass communication platform service for districts to streamline voice and text communications to parents, faculty, and staff.
• Google (Workspace for Education)majorTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Workspace for Education tools including Classroom, Meet, Docs, Forms, and Chat with multiple licensing tiers from Fundamentals to Plus.
• PowerSchoolmajorTechnology or IntegrationWeb-based student information system providing timely data accessible to all stakeholders in a secure environment.
• eSchoolDatamajorTechnology or IntegrationWeb-based student management system including registration, attendance, scheduling, gradebook, and health information tracking.
• SchoolToolmajorTechnology or IntegrationWeb-based student management system designed specifically for New York State school districts.
• CrowdStrikemajorTechnology or IntegrationCybersecurity services including Falcon Prevent NGAV, Endpoint Detection and Response, and Managed Detection and Response through Aspire Technology Partners NSOC.
• Cisco (Umbrella)majorTechnology or IntegrationCisco Umbrella DNS filtering with integrated 24/7 MDR service for content filtering and threat protection.
• eScholarcoreTechnology or IntegrationState-standardized Data Warehouse solution used for integrating and managing district data across student, special education, nutrition, and HR systems.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Erie 1 BOCES / WNYRIC: Another Regional Information Center under the NY BOCES framework serving western New York with overlapping educational technology, SIS hosting, and instructional services to school districts — the closest functional analogue to NERIC.
• Eastern Suffolk BOCES RIC: Long Island-based RIC providing equivalent cooperative technology services including SIS support, distance learning, and Model Schools-style professional development to NY school districts.
• Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center: Direct peer RIC serving the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York, offering the same portfolio of cooperative IT services, SIS support, and instructional technology offerings to districts.
• Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES RIC: Upstate NY RIC with substantially overlapping services — SIS support, cybersecurity, professional development — and the same cooperative contracting model for member districts.
• Questar III BOCES: One of NERIC's partner BOCES that also delivers educational technology and cooperative services, sharing the regional RIC model and many of the same vendor relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Capital Region BOCES (parent): NERIC's parent organization, providing broader educational services (special education, career & technical education, adult education) beyond technology, and the administrative host for NERIC.
• PowerSchool: Largest K-12 SIS vendor whose PowerSchool platform NERIC resells and supports; competes indirectly by offering districts a direct relationship and integrated platform.
• CDW Education: Major national K-12 IT procurement and services provider offering similar hardware, software licensing, and managed services at scale — competes for district wallet share outside the BOCES cooperative.

Emerging players

• Frontline Education: K-12-focused SaaS provider offering SIS-adjacent solutions (HR, absence management, professional development) overlapping with several of NERIC's business and instructional services.

Regional players

• ENA (Education Networks of America): Provides managed network, cybersecurity, and connectivity services to K-12 districts nationally, overlapping with NERIC's information security and internet connectivity offerings for districts outside New York.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BOCESNERIC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northeastern Regional Information Center