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Advance Wins SmartCEO 2014 VOLTAGE Award for Technology innovator

More than 200 business executives joined SmartCEO to celebrate 30 Voltage award finalists and seven winners at the 2014 Voltage Awards.

Baltimore, MD (May 20, 2014) — Advance is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a Baltimore SmartCEO, 2014 Voltage Award winner. Advance President, Jeff Elkin, accepted the award for the Technology Implementer category at the Baltimore SmartCEO VOLTAGE awards ceremony on May 8, 2014, at the Westin BWI Hotel.The Voltage Awards program celebrates technology innovators and implementers — champions of the role technology plays in the business community and drivers of the technology sector. The finalists and winners are recognized for their creative vision, strong leadership and innovative solutions.

The merit recognizes Advance’s recent commitment with longtime imaging channel partner, MWAi Intelligence to streamline the 50 year old company’s enterprise records processing (ERP) system into a single solution, SAP Business One. The new ERP, whose functions were previously managed by across several separate platforms and custom applications, will deliver a complete, integrated business management solution and provides transparency and visibility throughout all of Advance’s growing operations.

“Our approach has never been cookie cutter, and we were looking for the same in an ERP partner. This July we will celebrate Advance’s 50th year in business, and having a 360 degree view of our relationship with our customers allows us to continue to deliver the unparalleled service they depend on,” says Elkin. “The implementation of SAP Business One is a clear differentiator for Advance, not only because it streamlines our critical operations, but gives us the flexibility to support our mission to continually bring new and innovative solutions to our customers.”

“All of us at MWAi are honored to have a great partner like Advance choose SAP Business One to run their fast growing business,” said Michael T. Stramaglio, president and CEO of MWAi Intelligence. “The team at Advance are truly industry leaders and they continue to innovate, expand and grow their business into new markets and opportunities. The MWAi Services Platform enabled by SAP Business One is a potent business solution that has been verticalized for Imaging Channel dealers. It will allow Advance to attain higher revenue and customer growth with new technologies, business models, and it will provide Advance with real time, actionable data the likes of which the industry has never seen before.”

This year’s finalists collectively generate more than $169 million in annual revenue and employ over 818 individuals. This year’s finalists and winners are profiled in the May/June issue of SmartCEO magazine.

“It’s no secret that the evolution of technology is what drives business forward. These companies are pushing the limits of innovation — streamlining processes, finding efficiencies and discovering the next great product,” says Jaime Nespor, Regional President of SmartCEO Media. “Sharing their stories is a humbling experience as these companies are the catalysts for our region’s growth and prosperity.”

About Advance

Advance is a total document solutions provider that helps organizations tackle business problems by pairing best-in-class technology with industry leading support for hardware, document management, managed print, and managed IT professional services. Whether it’s multifunctional devices, strategic IT planning or electronic content management, Advance designs solutions for productivity so clients can focus on their core business.

About SmartCEO

SmartCEO’s mission is to educate and inspire the business community through its award winning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources. SmartCEO’s integrated media platforms reach decision makers in the Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.

About the Voltage Awards

The Voltage Awards celebrate the ever-increasing role that technology plays in the business community and the impact the technology sector will have on economic growth. The program recognizes leading technology innovators and implementers. These are organizations that are developing new technologies that improve operational efficiencies (technology innovators) and organizations that are using technology to enhance their competitive advantage (technology implementers). Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects finalists based on the quality of nominations submitted. The Voltage award finalists are profiled in the May/June issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at an awards reception in May, where the winners are announced live.