January 2005

This edition’s topics:

       RECOMMENDED INDUSTRY EVENT

·         VoiceCon 2005, Feb 7-10, Orlando, FL

       IS VOIP IN YOUR FUTURE?

·         A perspective on planning for this key technology…

       USING THE RFP PROCESS TO REDUCE COSTS

·         Do you have a competitive procurement process for telecom services?

       KEEPING TRACK OF TELECOM SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT

·         Advocate Networks takes telecom asset tracking to the next level

RECOMMENDED INDUSTRY EVENT

VoiceCon 2005 is rapidly approaching and it is not too late to register.  VoiceCon is scheduled for February 7-10, 2005 in Orlando, Florida.  VoiceCon 2005 offers a focus on Voice over Internet Protocol, and one of the largest gatherings of telephony vendors in the world.  Scott Fogle of Advocate Networks attended in 2004 along with Paul Grulke, Director of Information Services with Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP, and Kirk Walsh, Director of Telecommunications with WellStar Health System.  All three found the conference topics, vendor exhibit and informal networking very valuable and plan to attend again at this year’s event.

Check out http://www.bcr.com/voicecon/ for more information on the event and to register.  If you plan to attend, let us know -- we will be there this year!

IS VOIP IN YOUR FUTURE?

Like most telecom or network managers, you have probably gotten this question from your executive management “When will we have VoIP?”  without management truly understanding the problem, possible solutions, costs or benefits.  VoIP is not a solution, but a technology enabler that provides a foundation for new functionality.  We have all heard the industry buzz of “convergence” over the last 10 years.  Converged network transport is available today, and voice as an application on that network can deliver new levels of productivity for mobile professionals, call centers and organizations that require frequent changes in their telecommunications network.

More and more of our customers are asking this question, and Advocate Networks has lead the requirements gatherings, strategic planning and implementation process for over 50 businesses in the last 24 months.  In addition, the principles of the company have a long history with this technology – Tim Wise and Scott Fogle implemented and managed a 100-site global VoIP network prior to forming Advocate Networks.  Contact us to discuss how VoIP may be right for your organization and how to begin the planning process.

USING THE RFP PROCESS TO REDUCE COSTS

If you have not tried the RFP process lately or were disappointed with past results, you may want to talk with us.  During the last 24 months, Advocate Networks has lead over 30 telecom service and equipment RFPs valued at over $150 million in annual expenditures.  On average, the telecom RFP process as netted over 40% annual cost reduction and a less than 3-month return on investment on the fees for the RFP project.  Listen to our customers…

TERRY JOHNSON, Vice President – Finance, VHA Georgia, Inc.

“I would like to offer our sincerest appreciation to Advocate Networks for the significant telecommunications cost reductions you have derived for our healthcare systems across Georgia.  Over the last three years, we have worked with Advocate Networks to analyze, assess and procure a range of telecommunications services and develop telecommunications management plans for our members.  In total, your work as resulted in over $2 million in hard dollar cost reduction in the first year and over $4 million in the next 2 years.  In additional, our members greatly improved the competitiveness and flexibility of key telecommunications service provider agreements.”

MARK BRYZEAL, Division Vice President, Director – MGTA Network Operations

“I would like to thank Advocate Networks for their outstanding efforts on our Carrier RFP.  I reviewed several possible firms for this endeavor and it was clear that Advocate would be the best choice for Maritz.  Your experience, fresh perspective and defined processes, coupled with our own resources and knowledge, had all the makings of a winning team.  Our situation was unique, as most of the responding carriers were also valued clients of Maritz…In the end, your firm was instrumental in helping Maritz save of $4 million over the next 3 years.”

Call us to discuss how the RFP process may be of benefit to your organization in 2005!  Let us put the process to work for you…

KEEPING TRACK OF TELECOM SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT

Would you like to have all the details of your telecom services and equipment easily accessible from any secure browser?  Would you like to be able to easily search a comprehensive database of your entire telecom inventory to locate any asset to make a change, resolve trouble, or order a disconnection?  Would you like to track all your telecom contracts and have reminders track future contract expirations?  Would you like to instant access to a wide range of reports regarding your telecom costs, service providers, equipment and contracts?  If so, Advocate Networks has a database tool for the telecom manager called TELERAZOR.  A number of businesses are using TELERAZOR including CheckFree, Mirant and United Regional Health Care System to store, track and manage their telecom services and equipment inventory.  The tool is a hosted application and available for a monthly subscription charge that requires no internal deployment of server, network or infrastructure to turn-up.  Call us to arrange a demonstration or visit www.telerazor.com for more information.

Feel free to forward the TELECOM NEWS letter to your colleagues!

To learn more about Advocate Networks, please visit Advocate Networks (http://www.advocatenetworks.com).

© Advocate Networks, LLC 2002-2005  ●  3625 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 350 - Atlanta, GA 30339
Main: 770.984.4650  ●  Toll free: 800.675.9014  ●  Fax: 770.984.4670

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