Press release

AVANT Pathfinder Helps Trusted Advisors Navigate IT Decision-Making

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Sponsored by Businesswire

AVANT Communications (“AVANT”), a platform for IT decision-making and
the nation’s premier distributor for next generation technology, today
released new enhancements to Pathfinder — the most powerful
face-to-face IT decision-making tool for enterprise customers.
Accessible on any device, Pathfinder is available exclusively to AVANT’s
growing ecosystem of Trusted Advisors.

Formerly known as the AVANT BattleApp, the AVANT Pathfinder serves as
the ultimate weapon for Trusted Advisors as they introduce next-gen
solutions in cloud, colocation and telecommunications to enterprise
customers. AVANT’s network of Trusted Advisors is made up of channel
professionals fully enabled to help CIOs, CISOs and other enterprise
decision-makers keep up with the rapid rate of technological change.

“We took inspiration for the AVANT Pathfinder from the pathfinders that
led the charge at D-Day during World War II. This elite group of
navigation aids forged ahead of airborne forces and marked targets for
drop zones,” said Drew Lydecker, President and Co-founder, AVANT.
“Without the pathfinder force, air assaults would often miss their mark
or would be stymied by unforeseen obstacles. Our Trusted Advisors are
similar in that they need to guide enterprise customers to the optimal
technology selection, navigating past the accelerating pace of change
and confusion in today’s IT world. Using the AVANT Pathfinder, Trusted
Advisors help enterprise customers stay ahead of the competition.”

The Pathfinder is an integrated platform built on Salesforce
Communities, with multiple modules to facilitate IT decision-making,
including:

  • Provider Portfolio – Offers rapid access to information
    regarding more than 100 cloud services, 1,500 colocation centers and
    60 carrier services
  • Data Center Locator – A dynamic selection of more than 1,500
    data centers globally, organized by criteria such as geographic
    proximity to a location; compliance certifications such as SOC 2,
    FISMA, HIPAA, etc.; direct connections to hyperscalers and more
  • Fiber Locator – Helps Trusted Advisors identify fiber routes
    and lit building details
  • Interactive Quick Assessments – A dynamic guide for IT solution
    discovery, backed by live AVANT Engineering responses with technology
    recommendations for further exploration
  • Dynamic Matrices – Allows for side-by-side, real-time
    comparison of key solution areas, such as UCaaS, Security, SD-WAN and
    Cloud with dynamic criteria selection and ranking
  • Intelligent Search – A machine learning algorithm to help find
    the right information the first time for UCaaS HIPAA compliance, and
    to navigate the AVANT database to find the right case studies, video
    training sessions, or relevant providers in an instant
  • Cloud Engineering Knowledge Base – Over 200 detailed technical
    notes on providers and technologies, written and curated by AVANT’s
    world-class cloud engineering team

“AVANT Pathfinder was re-designed from the ground up for Trusted
Advisors to use directly with enterprise customers during IT discovery
and planning consultations,” said Ian Kieninger, CEO and Co-Founder,
AVANT. “We have upgraded and weaponized the Pathfinder with the latest
in AVANT’s market research and insights, enabling enterprise customers
to accelerate their time to technology selection. We are seeing Trusted
Advisors who use the Pathfinder with their customers achieving three
times more sales.”

Among the tool’s new features are data center search enhancements.
Trusted Advisors in AVANT’s ecosystem can locate the optimal data center
facility with insights into nearby hyperscale infrastructure, and risk
drivers such as geological activity. Users can enjoy a comprehensive
comparison tool that allows them to evaluate a selection of facilities
side-by-side. Dynamic matrices have been upgraded to deliver an
intelligent, customizable industry ranking of providers based on
customer needs — along with custom branding capabilities for partners.
Additionally, users can now review over 200 technical notes from AVANT’s
Cloud Engineering Team using the Pathfinder’s machine learning-based
Intelligent Search feature.

“At the end of the day, next-level intel is the greatest weapon in the
fight to deliver next-generation services to customers,” Lydecker added.
“A high-powered tool like Pathfinder places our arsenal of disruptive
solutions in the palm of your hand. It gives partners in the AVANT
ecosystem the tools they need to help their customers be successful in
this golden era of the Trusted Advisor.”

About AVANT Communications

AVANT Communications is a platform for IT decision-making and the
nation’s premier distributor for next generation technologies. AVANT
adds unique value with its focus and expertise in channel sales
assistance, sales training, sales guidance, and sales tools to fuel IT
services business growth. From complex cloud designs to global wide-area
network deployments, AVANT sets the industry standard in enabling its
partners and clients to make intelligent decisions about services,
technology and cost-effective communications. For more information,
visit www.goavant.net,
or connect on Twitter
and LinkedIn.