EPC Group Celebrates 25 Years of Microsoft Consulting Excellence
In 2022, EPC Group reached a remarkable milestone -- 25 years of continuous operation as a Microsoft consulting firm. Founded in 1997 by Errin O'Connor, EPC Group has grown from a one-person SharePoint consultancy into a nationally recognized enterprise technology firm serving Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government agencies. Now with over 28 years of experience and counting, this milestone article looks back at the journey, celebrates the achievements, and looks ahead to the next era of enterprise technology transformation.
The Beginning: 1997 and the Birth of EPC Group
EPC Group was founded in 1997, at a time when the internet was still in its commercial infancy and Microsoft was transitioning from a desktop software company into an enterprise platform powerhouse. Errin O'Connor recognized early that organizations would need specialized guidance to navigate Microsoft's rapidly expanding ecosystem -- from Windows NT and Exchange Server to the emerging SharePoint platform that would soon become the backbone of enterprise collaboration.
The company started with a simple mission: help enterprise organizations get the most out of their Microsoft technology investments. That mission has never changed, even as the technologies have evolved dramatically. From on-premises SharePoint Server farms to Azure cloud infrastructure, from Excel spreadsheets to Power BI enterprise analytics, from email to Microsoft Teams collaboration -- EPC Group has been guiding organizations through every generation of Microsoft technology.
Key Milestones Across 25+ Years
The history of EPC Group is intertwined with the evolution of enterprise technology itself. Key milestones include:
- 1997-2002 -- Foundation Years: EPC Group establishes itself as a Microsoft consulting firm specializing in Windows Server, Exchange, and early SharePoint (SharePoint Portal Server 2001). First Fortune 500 client engagement. Build reputation for handling complex enterprise deployments that other consultancies could not.
- 2003-2007 -- SharePoint Era: SharePoint 2003 and SharePoint 2007 transform enterprise collaboration. EPC Group becomes one of the most recognized SharePoint consulting firms in the United States, delivering large-scale deployments for organizations with 10,000+ users. Errin O'Connor publishes his first Microsoft Press book on SharePoint, establishing thought leadership in the space.
- 2008-2013 -- Enterprise Growth: EPC Group expands into healthcare, financial services, and government consulting. Develops deep compliance expertise in HIPAA, SOC 2, and FedRAMP. Manages SharePoint migrations at unprecedented scale, including multi-terabyte content migrations and 50,000+ user deployments. Additional Microsoft Press books on SharePoint and large-scale migrations follow.
- 2014-2018 -- Cloud Transformation: Microsoft shifts to cloud-first strategy with Azure and Office 365. EPC Group leads clients through cloud migrations, hybrid deployments, and the organizational change management required to adopt new ways of working. Power BI emerges as a critical business intelligence platform, and EPC Group publishes its bestselling Microsoft Press book on Power BI, becoming one of the leading Power BI consulting firms nationally.
- 2019-2022 -- 25th Anniversary: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates cloud adoption and Microsoft Teams deployment worldwide. EPC Group helps organizations deploy Teams at scale for remote workforces, implement security frameworks for distributed work, and modernize legacy systems under extreme time pressure. The company celebrates its 25th anniversary with a client portfolio spanning Fortune 500 enterprises, major healthcare systems, and federal agencies.
- 2023-Present -- AI and Next-Generation Technology: EPC Group pivots to enterprise AI consulting, helping organizations implement Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI services, and AI governance frameworks. With over 28 years of Microsoft expertise, the firm is uniquely positioned to guide enterprises through the AI transformation while maintaining the security, compliance, and governance standards that enterprise clients require.
Four Bestselling Microsoft Press Books
A defining characteristic of EPC Group is the thought leadership established through founder Errin O'Connor's four bestselling Microsoft Press books:
- SharePoint Enterprise Planning and Architecture: The definitive guide to planning large-scale SharePoint deployments, covering farm topology, capacity planning, governance frameworks, and migration strategies.
- SharePoint Large-Scale Migrations: A comprehensive handbook for managing complex SharePoint migrations, including multi-terabyte content moves, user adoption strategies, and hybrid deployment architectures.
- Power BI for the Enterprise: The bestselling guide to implementing Power BI at enterprise scale, covering data modeling, governance, security, and organizational adoption strategies.
- Azure and Cloud Architecture: A practical guide to Azure cloud architecture for enterprise organizations, covering hybrid deployments, security, compliance, and cost optimization.
These books have collectively guided tens of thousands of IT professionals and organizations through complex technology implementations. They reflect the same pragmatic, enterprise-focused approach that EPC Group brings to every client engagement.
Client Impact: By the Numbers
Over 28+ years, EPC Group has compiled an impressive track record of enterprise technology delivery:
- Served organizations across healthcare, financial services, government, education, manufacturing, and retail
- Managed SharePoint and Microsoft 365 environments supporting 10,000 to 100,000+ users
- Delivered Power BI implementations for Fortune 500 companies with billions of data rows
- Completed cloud migrations involving multi-terabyte datasets and complex hybrid architectures
- Maintained 99.9%+ uptime SLAs for managed services clients
- Achieved compliance certifications across HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and FedRAMP environments
- Published 4 bestselling Microsoft Press books on enterprise technology
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
As EPC Group moves beyond its 25th anniversary and into its third decade, the firm is focused on three strategic priorities:
- Enterprise AI Governance: Helping organizations implement AI responsibly, with governance frameworks that address bias, transparency, compliance, and security. As Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI become standard enterprise tools, organizations need expert guidance to deploy AI at scale without introducing unacceptable risk.
- Modern Workplace Transformation: Continuing to guide organizations through the evolution of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem -- Teams, SharePoint Online, Power Platform, Viva, and Copilot -- with emphasis on adoption, governance, and measurable business value.
- Business Intelligence and Analytics: Expanding Power BI consulting to encompass the full Microsoft Fabric data platform, enabling organizations to unify their data estates and deliver self-service analytics at enterprise scale.
The technology landscape has changed dramatically since 1997, but EPC Group's core mission remains the same: help enterprise organizations get the most out of their Microsoft technology investments. With 28+ years of experience, four bestselling books, and a client portfolio that includes the most demanding organizations in the world, EPC Group is better positioned than ever to deliver on that mission.
Partner with a Firm That Has 28+ Years of Proven Results
EPC Group brings nearly three decades of Microsoft consulting expertise to every engagement. Whether you need AI governance, cloud migration, Power BI implementation, or managed services, our team delivers enterprise-grade results. Contact us to discuss your technology challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was EPC Group founded?
EPC Group was founded in 1997 by Errin O'Connor. The company has been in continuous operation for over 28 years, making it one of the longest-tenured Microsoft consulting firms in the United States.
What industries does EPC Group serve?
EPC Group serves enterprise organizations across healthcare, financial services, government, education, manufacturing, retail, and energy sectors. The firm has particular depth in compliance-heavy industries that require HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, or FedRAMP expertise.
What Microsoft Press books has Errin O'Connor authored?
Errin O'Connor has authored four bestselling Microsoft Press books covering SharePoint enterprise architecture, large-scale migrations, Power BI for the enterprise, and Azure cloud architecture. These books are used by IT professionals worldwide as authoritative references for complex Microsoft technology implementations.
Is EPC Group a Microsoft Gold Partner?
Yes. EPC Group holds Microsoft Solutions Partner designations and has maintained Gold-level partnership status across multiple competency areas, including Modern Work, Azure Infrastructure, Data & AI, and Security. This partnership level requires demonstrated expertise, certified personnel, and proven client success.
What services does EPC Group offer today?
EPC Group offers enterprise consulting across the full Microsoft ecosystem: AI governance and Microsoft Copilot implementation, Azure cloud architecture and migration, Microsoft 365 and Teams deployment, Power BI and Microsoft Fabric analytics, SharePoint Online modernization, Power Platform development, managed IT services, and compliance consulting for HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and FedRAMP.