The Background

This top-tier professional service organization accelerates the clinical and commercial success of more than 550 biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. Currently employing 13,000 people in 40 countries, the rapidly growing organization provides best practices, processes and systems to help its clients improve their performance to deliver much-needed therapies to market.

The Challenges

As a worldwide healthcare company with over 101 service providers supporting their voice, data and mobile networks, the corporate IT department recognized that their lack of inter-corporate connectivity, network visibility and stability in addition to limited resources were causing major issues with all lines of business internally.

During an 18-month worldwide acquisition of 32 companies, it became apparent that the current IT infrastructure was unable to support integrated, seamless and highly reliable communications requirements.


The Solution

In order to improve their network connectivity and reliability, and reduce overall costs, Advocate conducted a current state network infrastructure assessment, followed by the creation of a future state roadmap which led to a 12-month strategic sourcing engagement. Then, the network transformation project was initiated to install new circuits and decommission the legacy network. Our Lifecycle Services team managed the network provisioning and governance of all cost optimizations, which enabled the company’s IT and Finance departments to enjoy a high performing, cost effective network that has reduced its costs by 41%.

Transforming your communications challenges into a strategic advantage.

Transforming global network communications challenges by centralizing and integrating their networks while providing full inventory visibility, improved network security and user experience, enhanced scalability and increased cost savings.

Advocate transformed and optimized our network beyond expectations. We are poised for future business expansion and we couldn't be more pleased with the results.


The Result


  • Advocate converged network platforms to Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) at all locations, while speeding up and shaping network traffic flows.

  • Consolidated 101 service providers to 8, led to stabilization of regional providers, increased network security, and improved end user experience, provided full network visibility, while reducing network costs by 41%.

  • In the first 9 months, $5.3M in savings identified.


After implementing Advocate’s processes around bill payment, the client realized a 75% decrease in invoice processing time and a 65% reduction in late payment charges.