1992
In the beginning
CROC is established in Moscow when founder, Boris Bobrovnikov purchased and brought ten Compaq computers to Russia from the United States. Selling two computers to “Rosgidromet” is the company’s first sale. Partnering with the leader in workstations and servers using the Intel platform – Compaq Computers, is the first major achievement. This accomplishment allows CROC to supply and maintain the highest quality computers, peripherals and network equipment for the next few years with ‘Moscow News’ as the CROC’s first major client.
1994 - 1995
The largest system integrator
CROC receives the status of System Reseller No. 1 Compaq in Russia and establishes its main goal - to become the largest system integrator.
CROC automates the archive of the State Historical Museum, creating a multi-level data storage system using Exabyte and Maxoptix equipment. At the same time, a network of 20 authorized Compaq service centers is created, which services all the equipment supplied by CROC.
Project work and cooperation with European and American companies are beginning to develop as they open representative offices in Russia. These businesses include APC, AT&T, Compaq Computer GmbH, Eicon Technology, Motorola and others.
1996 - 1997
The first CROC conference
CROC begins to work in the field of computing and structured cabling systems, networks, corporate telephony and storage systems.
A landmark project was the development of an automation complex for precinct election commissions in Russia, State Automation System “Vybory”, where scanners of our own design were used. At the same time, automation of the largest medical institution in Eastern Europe started. We continued with VNIIKI Gosstandart of the Russian Federation, and projects began with some of the countries largest banks.
The Russian IT market was blown wide open by the conference “Cisco Systems Technologies for Enterprise Networks”, at which Cisco Systems World Vice President Stephen De Witt spoke. CROC organized the event, which brought together more than 250 heads of automation departments of the largest state, commercial structures and industrial enterprises of Russia.
2000 - 2001
New partnerships, new offices and centers
The network of regional Compaq service centers expands to Arkhangelsk, Barnaul, Irkutsk and Bratsk. An automated, technical support service for Cisco Systems equipment users and an Avaya equipment technical support web server is also launched.
CROC partners with Sun Microsystems to become an Enterprise System Reseller.
The CROC North-West branch opens in St. Petersburg. In total, the company takes control of half the network of Compaq service centers in Russia.
2002 - 2003
The best system integrator in Russia
During 2002- 2006, CROC takes 1st place in the list of 10 leading system integrators in Russia. CROC General Director Boris Bobrovnikov is declared the winner of the Person of the Year 2002 category of IT Industry Leader. The CROC Siberia branch opens in Novosibirsk.
The CROC Competence Center opens. The internal Centralized Technical Support Service, built according to ITIL standards, begins operations.
CROC presents the only ready-made solution for the automation of the Unified State Examination for 2002, based on special software - the Exam automated information system.
CROC successfully completes more projects for clients. These include creating multi-service networks, security systems and IP-telephony, video conferencing, automated engineering systems, data storage and processing systems. Portfolio of services that include business applications, comprehensive technical support and IT outsourcing are starting to develop.
2004 - 2008
Ural and IBM Competence Center
The need for the construction of geographically distributed data storage systems is growing. Most of the projects implemented by the business are supported by the CROC Central Technical Support Service. In total, 3900 local offices throughout Russia are servicing technical support.
The IBM Competence Center opens for testing and research. This is used when building IT solutions based on IBM hardware and software for corporate customers. The CROC Ural branch opens in Yekaterinburg.
2005
Leader of the Russian data storage market
CROC becomes the first Russian company to receive the BSI MS Russia certificate confirming compliance of the information security management system with the requirements of the BS 7799-2: 2002 standard. Partnerships are also concluded with CYA, Nortel and InfoWatch.
We continue to increase the number of projects focused on the virtualization, creation, organization and relocation of “container” data centers. We also expand to create video conferencing systems and audiovisual systems.
Together with EMC, CROC prepares the opening of the EMC Solution Center.
According to the IDC report “Russia Business Solutions and Infrastructure Management Services 2008-2012 Forecast and 2007 Vendor Shares”, the company was named the leader in the Russian market of IT services for data storage.
2009
The biggest IT provider
CROC is the largest IT provider for banks and a leader in the construction of contact centers in Russia. It is also recognized as being one of the ten largest IT providers for in the public sector as well as for telecom operators.
The TelePresence Room studio is created to demonstrate the benefits of telepresence technology. The “Virtual model of a modern enterprise” is launched, which allows for additional capabilities in the management and integration of corporate applications.
The first EMC Solutions Center in Russia and the CIS is launched to work out options for upgrading information systems, testing integration solutions, modeling possible failures, and developing projects for migrating data from legacy storage systems to new ones. This is one of 20 Velocity2 Signature Solution Center EMC in the world.
2010 - 2011
The first cloud platform in Russia
The first cloud platform developed in Russia is launched.
‘The Compressor’ opens, which is the third in the CROC outsourcing network of data centers. This is the first data center project of the Russian system integrator, certified by Uptime Institute Professional Services for compliance with Tier III class.
CROC's virtual data center is tested by more than 200 major companies. For many of them, this leads to the use of cloud services on a commercial basis: virtual office services, backup and rental applications. Projects are being implemented to use alternative energy sources.
The list of CROC partners expands to 1C, Radware, CA, Kramer, Hitec Power Protection, Brand-Rex, Netapp, Zabbix, Zscaler, Verint Systems Inc.
2012 - 2014
Solution centers
The first and only 3D solutions center in the country is opened for testing advanced audiovisual technology.
The first “Center for Solutions Based on Dell Technologies for Modeling IT Infrastructures”, “Symantec Solutions Center”, and the first HP and Hitachi solution centers are opened in Russia.
The innovation division of CROC begins implementing virtual reality projects for customers in areas such as training, research, design, etc. Cloud projects are further developed. This includes a system for forecasting demand for products, a test educational environment for an information-analytical system, an archive of primary accounting documentation, and Russia's first supply chain planning project based on Oracle Transportation Management.
CROC is involved in the organization and support of sports and socially-oriented events, in particular, the 11th Paralympic Games in Sochi and its own festival.
2015 - 2016
«CROClive» social network and “CROC disk” service
The world's first "Center for Comprehensive Solutions Based on Intel Technologies" opens, where ready-made solutions are presented within the frameworks of IoT (Internet of Things), Smart City (Safe City) and other innovative areas.
CROClive's own corporate social network is launched for internal and external communications with customers. The CROC Disk service is launched for secure corporate file sharing.
A partnership agreement is signed together with the VR Consortium for the implementation of joint activities in the development of VR technologies.
CROC becomes the first Russian company to be admitted to the Global Presence Alliance, an international alliance of suppliers and system integrators of audiovisual systems.
Implementation of a security system, television broadcasting, telecommunications, multimedia, as well as automation and dispatching of engineering systems at the FC Krasnodar stadium.
2017
Managed cloud services
The sale of managed cloud services begins. CROC becomes the first Russian company to receive the Service Advantage Partner status in the Implementation Specialization area issued by Commvault.
The project to create modern Avaya communication solutions for the Cherkizovo Group is completed. By combining into a single managed contact center and modernizing them, CROC enabled Cherkizovo to reduce communication costs from 28.9 to 17 million rubles.
2018 - 2019
Digital transformation at CROC
CROC begins the process of digital transformation at the company. This includes initiatives to change our approach to product development and create new growth points for customers' businesses. CROC's is fast emerging as the IT company of the future.
CROC also announces the creation of a capable blockchain center in Russia with the international blockchain company Bitfury Group.
CROC is a member of the airport association’s IT committee to help resolve issues related to modernizing airport infrastructure and shaping their security policies.
For the group of companies "M. Video-Eldorado" a robot with artificial intelligence is developed and implemented. It is is designed to control and optimize the operation of the first line of technical user support.