September 2014
Driving Innovation in the Cloud and Beyond
For the EIGHTH consecutive year Advocate has been named to INC. 5000's list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies. Congratulations Insiders! 
Welcome, 
Newest Insiders!

Geof Hawkeswood

Senior Consultant

Amber Kobelt

Service Delivery Analyst

Kim Sowder

Service Delivery Analyst

Carrie Ann Starnes

Consultant Analyst

Tammy Vigliotti 

Consultant 

Insider Minute
Money Leaking Out

In a single case this summer, the Insiders at Advocate discovered over $10,000 in billings from a carrier to our client, associated with a location that had been closed for months. We reacted swiftly and alerted the client to our findings, providing a detailed report which we then forwarded to the carrier. After several weeks of concentrated effort on behalf of our client, the firm received a full reimbursement of the bogus charges.

 

Our team identifies these opportunities and becomes your biggest advocate to recover the funds most enterprises do not realize are owed. This results in immediate cash back for your company, without having to dedicate any of your associates to the task. The Insiders at Advocate not only know how to manage your expenses with carriers, we dive deeper into the core of your network, uncovering critical oversights that often lead to hefty credits back to your department. That's the Insider Advantage.

 

The Insider Summit
Only a Month Away! 
Ask your account manager about attending the Advocate Cloud and Connectivity Insider Summit in Charleston, South Carolina on November 5-7. This event will bring together CIOs and other IT pioneers for a conference unlike any other. Click here for event registration and a list of our esteemed panelists.

Is Enterprise Mobility Management For You?
Marshall Goldman, VP Lifecycle Services, has seen a spike in client interest surrounding EMM
There has been much interest from Advocate's clients over the past several years in understanding how to best leverage Telecommunications Expense Management (TEM) and Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) services to drive cost reductions in all of the IT domains. Advocate has an Insider's view of the challenges around these services. 
In Our Community
Our Insiders are active within the technology community.  Here are just a few of the events we attended recently.
Advocate CEO Scott Fogle and Insider Emily Ashley pose with Greg Mauk of Randstad at the ATP Pre-Gala VIP Reception.
Carrisa Baptiste, Ramona Bermudez-Werner, and Renae Price join two dozen Insiders in a dedicated day of service at the  Mountain Top Boys Home. Read More Here
The Insiders visit beautiful Bobby Dodd Stadium after hosting an Informational Session for Georgia Tech students.

Stay Connected with 
Advocate 
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iOS 8: Worth the Update?

Our Insiders Weigh in on 
Apple's "Biggest iOS Release Ever"

Since its release last week, Apple users have flocked by the millions to download the newest addition to the iOS family. However, with a history of both glitches and glory, some have been hesitant to dive into iOS 8. We take a deeper look at whether or not you should join the herd, keeping in mind the dozens of new features, as well as some early miscues. 

 

What are the new features that would motivate a user to upgrade?   

 

Besides the much faster processor, larger screen and thinner body, the following are some of the attractions that come with iOS 8:

  1. Now Messages lets you connect with friends and family like never before. Tap to add your voice to any conversation. Send a video of what you're seeing the moment you're seeing it. And easily share your location so they know right where you are.
  2. iCloud Drive. Any kind of file. On all your devices. The good news: You can work on any file, anywhere. The bad news: You can work on any file, anywhere. That includes presentations, PDFs, images, and more - right from iCloud. On whichever device you're using, including your Mac or PC.
  3. VoWiFi - The ability to make your calls via a WiFi connection.

Hosted VoIP 
Is It Ready for Prime-time?

Greg Davis, VP Cloud and Connectivity Solutions, argues that much has changed in the world of VoIP
Still using your own PBX(s) for business phone service?  Maybe the last time you upgraded, Hosted VoIP services were still too expensive, unreliable, or didn't offer the capabilities that your business needed.  Well, that's changed.

 

Today's Hosted VoIP services are extremely cost-effective when you consider the Total Cost of Ownership of an on-premise phone system, and offer much more flexibility and scalability.  They can also be much more reliable, if they are hosted in redundant Tier 3 datacenter instead of your telco closet, and offer enhanced business continuity. They've also benefited from the ever-improving quality and increased bandwidth of the internet and the reduced cost of private network services, like Ethernet. And, for certain providers, the systems and operations have matured to the point that they can deliver the wide range of features and levels of support that enterprise businesses demand.  

 

So, if you're considering upgrading your PBX(s), give Advocate a call and let us help you evaluate your options.

IT Leaders Descend on TopGolf For The Cure
Innovators in IT will compete in the Agile on the Green Golf Tournament to benefit Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta

On October 9 2014, join some of the brightest minds in IT at the Agile on the Green TopGolf Tournament in Alpharetta. Hosted by Agile for the last 11 years, this event has raised more than $250,000 for the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta initiative to fight breast cancer. 

 

This year Advocate joins the growing list of corporate sponsors who will field teams in what will, according to Insider Emily Ashley, be a day of intense competition. "My golf team and I are pumped for the Agile on the Green Tournament; we've been practicing!" All at Advocate are proud to support such a great cause through sponsorship. If you would like to get involved there is still plenty of time, simply follow the link below. We'll see you at TopGolf!

Tom McLean Accepts the Ice Bucket Challenge!
Insider Tom McLean accepts the Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of a colleague's father, and challenges a three other groups to donate. Currently this video has raised $2,236 between all parties challenged. To donate, click here.
Clients Now Leveraging Our 
Insider Advantage
  • Global Healthcare Device and Service Provider
  • International Software Developer
  • International Bank
  • Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer
  • Rental Car Provider

Insider Results


Looking for best-in-class performance, scalability and price? Our Insider knowledge and expertise will get you there faster!