Dive into this month’s Sales Engineering Braintrust for the latest updates, including:
- Upcoming Elevates
- Pathfinder Updates
- New podcast Episode
- Latest Win Wire
- Trusted Advisor Testimonials
- Engineering Spotlight
Upcoming Elevates
Join AVANT for an exclusive firsthand training and networking experience facilitated by our Sales Engineers at our upcoming Elevate events this month!
- Dave Watson and John Paullin will lead the NorCal Elevate, exploring the latest UC/CX opportunities and trends.
- Join Hunter Edmisten at NSP Raleigh Elevate to explore UC/CX/AI solutions.
- Niko O’Hara will guide the first Cloud & Colo Elevate of the year in Phoenix.
- Dive into UC/CX/AI solutions at the Houston Elevate with Dave Watson.
Deepen your expertise, stay ahead of industry trends, and close deals with confidence. Register TODAY to level up your training!
Pathfinder Updates
- Expedient is now part of the Featured AVANT Vendors: Security lineup in Pathfinder! These dynamic, vendor-specific modules dive deep into top Security providers in the AVANT portfolio. Expedient joins eSentire and Thrive in this course, offering insider info on company overviews, key products and services, real-world AVANT wins, and how Trusted Advisors can engage for maximum impact. Watch the modules that catch your eye and keep checking back for new vendors added every few weeks!
New Technology Insights Podcast
- Aggregation is Dead, The Future is Here with Managed Network Services: Tune in for an exciting conversation with Drew Lydecker, Co-Founder and President of AVANT, and Ross Artale, CEO of Spectrotel, as they explore the future of connectivity and managed network services! From best-of-breed solutions to AI’s impact on telecom, they cover it all. Plus, Ross reveals how Spectrotel is outpacing traditional providers with innovative solutions. Tune in for expert insights and get ahead of the curve with these industry trailblazers!
Win Wire with Eric Cooke and Peter Callowhill
The Breakdown
- Technology Category: Connectivity
- Customer Type: Industrial
- Size and Scope: 40 Circuits
- MRR: $131K
- Winning provider: Comcast, Lumen, Zayo
- Competitors: Multiple
The Details
What were the drivers for the client?
The client needed to establish a brand-new, diverse network with 40 circuits. The procurement request included a mix of DIA, Wavelengths, Cloud On-Ramps, and Dark Fiber solutions.
How did the Trusted Advisor close the deal?
The Trusted Advisor worked closely with AVANT’s Team Southwest, including Jessica Johnson, Gary Mabe, and John Carlson, as well as engineers Eric Cooke and Peter Callowhill, to explore potential carrier options for the client’s specified sites. From narrowing down the options to creating a detailed plan of action, the TA’s effort in bringing the two AVANT teams together and guiding the conversation smoothly was key in providing the client with a clear, tailored roadmap for success.
How did AVANT support the win?
Working closely with the Trusted Advisor, the team was tasked with identifying every provider combination at each site. Starting with a list of 12 providers available at some or all locations, Eric refined the options using a bulk lookup tool to narrow down the carrier choices. Addressing the need for network diversity and separation was crucial, which led the SW Sales Team to then create a comprehensive deliverable outlining all viable solutions for each site. With a focus on key details, the AVANT team ensured clear, prompt communication with all parties and carriers, delivering multiple provider combinations in a single, customer-facing deliverable.
Trusted Advisor Testimonials
What are your peers saying about their experience working with AVANT Sales Engineers?
“Great feedback and insight. I left the meeting feeling that I had more than adequate support and resources available to me. I’m looking forward to working on this project with the team once the opportunity arises.” – Tyrone M. Robinson III, Opportunities 2 Serve LLC
“Fast, knowledgeable, helpful, friendly – as always:)” – Matthew Ingenito, CDW
“Quick responses made it easy to identify the best provider for the client across multiple products and solutions. The client knows they can rely on me and the AVANT SE team moving forward as we continue working together to support their needs.” – Laura Trybula, Global Telecom Supply, Inc.
Engineering Spotlight
This month, we’re spotlighting David Bjerke, Sales Engineer with a focus on Cloud, Colo, and Managed Services
David has been a key player in the industry and with our own team since 2013, specializing in Cloud, IaaS, DaaS, and Backup & DR. With nearly 12 years at AVANT, he’s held roles across Operations, Commissions, and IT, bringing a well-rounded expertise to the team.
Here’s a bit more about David, in his own words!
Tell us about something you do for AVANT that Trusted Advisors may not know.
When I started at AVANT back in 2013 with just 12 of us, I wore many hats—something I don’t do now. I was the IT guy, sent out commission statements, maintained the commission exhibit, handled invoices, logged every order into a giant spreadsheet, and was even the ‘beer cart’ guy at the Channel Cup Challenge in 2013!
Where are you located?
Indianapolis, IN (suburbs)
What is one of your favorite places you’ve traveled to? Why?
I went to Anguilla on my honeymoon. It being my honeymoon is obviously one reason it’s a favorite, but we were lucky enough to stay right on the water, which was crystal clear with a clean beach. Just an incredibly relaxing, low-key island, which is my preferred way to vacation.
What is an interesting fact or hobby you have?
I’m an aspiring cinephile and Letterboxd devotee, working my way through every film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. As of January 2025, I’m about 25% through the 601 films. But don’t get it twisted—coming-of-age films like Juno, Superbad, and 10 Things I Hate About You will always be my favorites.
Ready to level up your sales game with expert guidance? Our Engineers are available for you to bring them into your opportunities! Connect with them and get started by filling out an IQA on Pathfinder.