35 Years in Business 1983-2018 (“Flash Back” Photo Album Below)
In 1983, Parallel Technologies, formerly P&T Communications, was founded in Robbinsdale, Minnesota by Mr. Poston and Mr. Thorgrimson. The two gentlemen started doing business out of their homes and focused strictly on voice and data cabling. Yes, the company was named after its co-owners, despite a rumor that “P & T” stood for “pull and tug” cabling.
After a change in ownership, the company was renamed Parallel Technologies. The new owners acquired a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa called Communications Engineering Company. The company continued to grow its primary low voltage cabling business to a peak of $5M in revenue.
In 2005, Dale Klein purchased Parallel Technologies with a vision of creating a cross functional technology and engineering team to provide IP-based building technology services to complement the existing low voltage cabling business. Delivering data center and IP networking solutions and services over the next 3 years, Parallel’s revenue grew by 300% through refocusing efforts, centering on enterprise, commercial, and government
entities. In 2007, Parallel was formally recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of the fastest fifty growing private companies in Minnesota.
In 2007 Parallel Technologies launched its Physical Security practice, focusing on IP-based security solutions. Security solutions prior to this time ran on disparate private networks and didn’t leverage the investments already made in IP networks. IP video surveillance and electronic card access continues to be a growing and successful practice for Parallel Technologies.
In 2008, the economy took a significant turn for the worse as the banking industry fell into financial turmoil, eventually causing the economy to slide into a recession. While these were very troubling times, Parallel Technologies continued to see the world differently. Combating rising energy prices, growing security concerns, and a fundamental need to gain more efficiency out of existing assets, Parallel Technologies embarked on its true vision integrating a myriad of building IP technologies.
Parallel Technologies accepted it was a different world. In a down economy, the company focused on its data center and building infrastructure technology solutions. The recession slowed many building infrastructure investments, but data was growing exponentially. Parallel Technologies focused heavily on providing its customers with data center mechanical & electrical design/build services, technology infrastructure, and raised floor infrastructure services. These offerings allowed Parallel Technologies’ clients to solve real-life challenges rather than simply reacting to changing data center environments. The company continued to grow during the recession.
In 2010, Parallel Technologies refocused on its Intelligent Building practice with a similar focus as our data center business– helping companies to drive out building inefficiencies while providing a more reliable infrastructure. With buildings requiring contemporary security solutions and consuming 48% percent of the nation’s energy supplies, Parallel Technologies pursued opportunities to integrate open building infrastructure systems securely on a converged IP network.
In 2017, Parallel Technologies acquired Building System Solutions, Inc. in Nebraska. This acquisition allowed for geographic expansion and positioned the company to provide advanced building automation services. This allowed the company to move closer to delivering full design-build of open, integrated building technologies to improve safety and security, energy sustainability and building efficiencies. Similar to the data center business, Parallel Technologies continues to lead with roadmaps to bring IT and facilities together to develop a comprehensive infrastructure solutions to drive efficiencies, reliability and sustainability.
Today Parallel Technologies employs 125 very talented people who all share a core value to exceed our clients’ expectations. We have been blessed with an amazing people who work well as a team and make this a special company. The company was recognized by the Star Tribune as Top Workplaces in 2016 and 2017.
As we move forward, Parallel Technologies’ expertise in engineering, technology and infrastructure uniquely position us to deliver on reliable data centers and intelligent buildings well into the future. We are a single source provider who can help customers with building technology solutions to truly meet client’s business objectives.