PUGM 2024: New Opportunites

User group meetings are awesome for many reasons, but one of the best aspects is getting to interact directly with people you typically communicate with only by email or video call. The educational sessions lead to lots of collaboration and discussion, but meal and break times simply can’t be beat for forging more meaningful relationships!

I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with every user group meeting since joining the Equinox team in 2021. Since my initial role was as a TeleLink quality assurance tester, my participation in the first couple events looked different than it does now. My primary task in that role was to ensure customers had a great experience with their Equinox software by evaluating enhancements and changes before deployment. So, user groups gave me the chance to meet customers and hear about their experiences using the application, and that helped how I tested features. Then, in late 2022, I moved into the role of Project Manager for all Protector and TeleLink customer implementations.

In that new role, I began interacting daily with customers in every stage of deployment—from just signing a license agreement to go live and all points in between—and it became clear my time in testing laid a great foundation for understanding and navigating the implementation path. Additionally, this change in roles offered me a much larger role in planning and presenting for user group meetings. I helped emcee the 2024 TeleLink User Group Meeting (TUGM), have delivered a couple presentations now, and will expand those responsibilities at the upcoming Protector User Group Meeting (PUGM). The most rewarding part of that change is that I get to show people new ways to use the applications from an Equinox point of view, but oftentimes, I learn just as many new possible applications for the resources in Protector and TeleLink from their points of view. That type of exchange is so beneficial to me as I manage projects!

Often mistaken for Freddie Mercury, Simeon C’deBaca serves as the Project Manager for every Protector and TeleLink implementation, so he loves getting to connect with the people on the other end of project emails and meetings!

Please join me and the entire Equinox team September 11th and 12th for the 26th annual PUGM in Nashville. We have a host of exciting topics on the agenda, and I personally can’t wait to share them with you. Be prepared for multiple customer case studies, topics where development and support team up to provide unique perspectives about Protector’s features, expert training by Christi Vanoye, plus a fun, relaxing networking dinner at Pinewood Social. And through it all, we get to know each other better. To secure your spot for this educational event, register online.

Visit http://www.equinoxis.com/pugm2024.php for complete event details, including registration link and hotel options—there is a discounted rate at the host hotel before August 10. As has become tradition, Equinox is offering a ‘Protector 101: System Introduction and Overview’ pre-session webinar on August 27 to help maximize your time at the meeting.

The PUGM fraud management conference is perfect for EVERY member of the Protector community. It's designed for all system users, owners, and administrators, regardless of skill level, application version, or ability to attend previous user group meetings. I look forward to seeing you in Nashville in September! Until then, you can reach me at scdebaca@equinoxis.com or (615) 612-1235. To get assistance from our fantastic Support team, call (615) 612-1225 or email support@equinoxis.com.

About the Author

In his first Equinox role as a TeleLink quality assurance tester, Simeon became acquainted with the system’s features and how uniquely they’re deployed at each customer site. This experience made him the perfect candidate to move into the role of Project Manager at the end of 2022. Growing up in Nashville, Simeon cares for the area and is glad to be working in his hometown. Simeon has a passion for volunteering and spent two summers working in Appalachia Tennessee to help eliminate substandard housing. Simeon also enjoys spending time with friends, playing sports, and has a real love for music. The forthcoming user group is the perfect time to meet him if you don’t already know him.

To learn more about Equinox, its products, and staff, visit www.equinoxis.com or call (615) 612-1200.