Annese & Associates, an integrated technology solution company with locations throughout New York, recently expanded its network operations center located in Clifton Park.

In expanding the former headquarters into a network operations center, it now hosts the company’s managed services team.

The company invested $130,000 toward the creation of the center at 747 Pierce Road, Suite 2, Clifton Park.

Annese was founded in 1970 by Frank Annese in his hometown of Herkimer. The company started selling data communications equipment. Since then, it has expanded to cities around the state, including Buffalo, Albany and Utica. Services now include enterprise networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, collaboration technology, managed and professional services and more.

The ownership of the company was passed along to Annese’s four daughters, making the company a woman-owned business recognized in four states.

At the network operations center, a team of professionals handles issues with technology in real time, according to the company. Using state-of-the-art software, the team is able to predict when problems are about to occur, and prepare for them. One notable addition is the wall-mounted displays that showcase dashboards and monitoring tools providing real-time data on the status of customer tickets.

“We are constantly receiving metrics about our customer’s problems,” said Christina Nordquist, marketing and communications associate manager at Annese. “We can even see potential issues such as the weather and check if there will be issues with the power, so we can plan ahead.”

By Margaret MacDonald

Hal Raven of Adirondack Cruise & Charter Co. recently purchased a 50-foot boat that will assist in expanding his year-old business to include more offerings on Saratoga Lake.

A busy fall season—total of 806 people were brought on cruises— precipitated Raven’s looking for a bigger boat. He found one through a boat brokerage in Wisconsin.

Built by Paul Raasoch in 2003, the boat was previously used for cruises. It looks like a steamboat might have looked on Saratoga Lake in the early 1900s.

Purchased in February, he negotiated dockage at Saratoga Lake Marina, replaced the canopies, completely sanded and stripped it down.

The boat has a 28-passenger capacity. There is a small serving station and restaurant in back of the boat. An 11-foot beam and shallow draft allow the boat to travel with ease all the way to Fish Creek.

Partnering with lakeside restaurants like Lake Local, Dock Brown’s and Nostalgia will allow the boat to foster a more dynamic sense of community, available to everyone, he said. The restaurants will cater to coordinated themes before cruises depart from the sites.

The  Saratoga Economic Development Corp.’s  (SEDC) launched its new startup incubator and early stage small business accelerator at an event on April 12 at Bow Tie Cinemas in Saratoga Springs attended by more than 250 people.

SEDC launched SPARK Saratoga in response to business professionals and entrepreneurs requests to make experienced business mentors available to accelerate early stage growth businesses.

“The mission of the incubator is to inspire, mentor and accelerate startups and early stage businesses through a proven mentor network model marshalled to support entrepreneurs by bringing them through an initial in-depth market opportunity and business gap analysis, and agreeing to an action plan,” the corporation said in a new release.

Access to financial funding networks will be potentially available as well, officials said. All ages and sectors of businesses can visit the web-based portal, www.SparkSaratoga.com, to learn more or submit an idea for evaluation.

The Wesley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs, will host its annual gala at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club, 301 Church St., Saratoga Springs.

The theme of this year’s event is “Bond Style,” which will invite attendees to enjoy an evening filled with the style and suspense synonymous with the classic James Bond films.

Proceeds will support the renovation of the resident activities room at The Wesley Health Care Center. The residence caters to aging adults who may have significant, chronic medical needs requiring daily assistance. The room serves as a social hub for the residents, and provides a venue for performances, religious services and other social gatherings.

“The annual gala will be a fun, festive night to support a wonderful cause, and it will certainly make a difference for all the residents that call the Wesley Health Care Center home,” said Tom Roohan, honorary chairman of the gala, alongside his wife, Kristie.

“The Wesley Foundation continuously helps the many seniors who depend on the outstanding services available at the Wesley Health Care Center,” said Kristie Roohan. “We are honored to help organize the annual celebration, which will further assist The Wesley Community in meeting the needs of its residents who require daily care and support services.”

The presenting sponsor of this year’s gala is the Adirondack Trust Co. which recently presented a $10,500 donation to the Wesley Foundation in support of its 2017 special events, all of which are dedicated to raising funds for the renovation of the resident activities room.

“We are very pleased to support The Wesley Health Care Center and the outstanding service they provide to their residents,” said Charles V. Wait, Jr., executive vice president of Adirondack Trust. “We are equally pleased to once again serve as the primary sponsor for this year’s gala that raises critically needed funding for the development of the resident activities room. This room enriches the lives of the residents and also provides them with an important social area as well.”