For the second consecutive year, Equinox Information Systems hosted the largest Protector Users Group Meeting (PUGM) in company history. The event attracted over thirty attendees representing more than twenty telecommunications companies, including cable operators, ILECs, CLECs, and carriers of various sizes.
The meeting relocated to Nashville's Music City Center, which provided adequate space for the expanded attendance. The three-day schedule began Monday, November 16, with optional training led by Implementation and Training Coordinator Christi Vanoye. Nearly all participants attended this initial session, where both experienced and new users gained insights into fraud prevention strategies across different market segments.
Tuesday and Wednesday sessions focused on how Protector software evolves with the changing telecom fraud landscape. Staff from all Equinox departments participated, allowing users to access expertise directly and connect faces with email correspondents.
The Tuesday evening networking event at Pinewood Social featured bowling on vintage lanes and regional cuisine, creating informal opportunities for attendees and staff to build relationships.
Coordinating logistics for thirty people across transportation and accommodations enabled meaningful personal connections. These interactions transform customers from names into individuals who depend on real solutions to protect real company revenues. As I put it to one attendee: "real people who really use our software solutions save real money for their companies."
Equinox extends free invitations to all current maintenance customers for future events, covering meeting fees, meals, and airport transportation. We hope to see you at next year's meeting.
About the Author — Matt Lowe is a Sales Engineer at Equinox Information Systems, focused on evaluating sales processes and coordinating project implementations. To learn more about Equinox, visit equinoxis.com or call (615) 612-1200.