Boldyn Networks

This year’s EDUCAUSE Conference – our first as Boldyn Networks for Higher Education – was an incredible success. It was a great opportunity to catch up with our US higher education customers and meet new connections. David J. Hinson, our Campus CIO, also provided insight in a breakout session on our new report ‘Top of the class or a failing grade? What college students really think about campus connectivity’. The report explores the positive impact reliable connectivity can have on a student’s college experience. Missed us at the event? Check out the full report at https://ow.ly/pmC350TUCg7. #Educause #HigherEducation #ConnectedCampus #Connectivity

Did you know that 84% of US college students in residence halls consider reliable internet essential? From completing schoolwork to keeping in touch with family – campus connectivity has become a critical part of the student experience. Our new report, ‘Top of the class or a failing grade? What college students really think about campus connectivity,' highlights how important reliable connectivity is for a student’s success and well-being. With 85% of students experiencing connectivity issues, it identifies the need for colleges and universities to invest in and prioritize network infrastructure to support their students. Read more at https://ow.ly/E0yj50TQQnB. #CampusConnectivity #HigherEducation #WiFi #Networks #Connectivity

In the latest episode of CTRL-ALT-LEAD, Apogee Campus CIO David J. Hinson advises up and coming higher ed CIOs to: "Regardless of the size of the room, give your best - your undivided, present, and intentional best." Listen and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gBGCjcP7

Fall is our favorite time of year. School is in full swing, the temperatures are cooler, and most importantly, it's time for EDUCAUSE, the largest gathering of higher education technology professionals in the US. Though we've sponsored the annual meeting for many years, this will be our first EDUCAUSE as Boldyn Networks. Our deeply-rooted commitment to higher education is stronger than ever. Put simply: we still wear your colors. That will be on full display next week at EDUCAUSE. Will you be there? Check out our schedule of events and add them to your EDUCAUSE calendar: https://lnkd.in/gu6YhRfx

What does it take for universities to create a modern educational experience? And what do students expect? In the era of rapid technological advancement, the interconnected college campus of the future needs a future-proofed network, designed to meet the evolving and unique needs of students and staff. Ensuring wireless sharing capabilities in every corner coupled with new technologies is differentiating one college from another. From AI to AV/RV and IoT, emerging technologies promise to revolutionise educational environments. And for students, high-speed internet access in dorms and across campus is at the heart of their college life. Brendan O'Reilly, our Group Chief Operating Officer explores how IT departments within higher education facilities must prepare for the increase in data demands that emerging technologies will bring on top of their already astronomical use of the internet, by upgrading network and connectivity infrastructures. Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/rwcY50TKw4M #SmartCampus #Connectivity #WiFi #HigherEd

A part of our secret sauce is our internship program, nurturing female talent and empowering the next generation of women leaders. And as we transform from Apogee to Boldyn Networks, our deep-rooted commitment to higher education remains as strong as ever. Put simply: we still wear your colors. In our latest blog post, we highlight four former interns and their journeys to and from Apogee. Thank you Alisha Mattson, Ruba Khan, Emily Leyendecker, and Betty Gebru! Read post: https://lnkd.in/gDAXdvp3

Our Final C! Capabilities: Expanding What’s Possible It’s been said that In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different. This perfectly captures our focus on expanding capabilities. Before the merger, Apogee was already a leader in managed Wi-Fi and network services for higher education. Now, with Boldyn’s cellular expertise and global reach, our portfolio is stronger than ever. Boldyn is the world’s leading neutral host provider, and their cellular solutions complement our offerings perfectly. Together, we can meet any college’s networking needs—whether that’s delivering smart campus solutions or supporting high-performance computing. We’re uniquely positioned to help campuses stay ahead of the curve. Boldyn’s successful deployments in large venues like Crypto.com Arena and major transportation systems like NYC’s MTA are prime examples of what we can achieve. These experiences give us the confidence to deliver seamless connectivity in even the most complex environments, ensuring that students, faculty, and visitors can always stay connected. After 25 years in higher education, Apogee is still just scratching the surface of what’s possible. Merging with Boldyn has expanded not only our operational capacity but also our ability to serve colleges at a larger scale. As the demand for bandwidth and advanced technology continues to grow, we’re better positioned than ever to help colleges meet those needs. Final Thoughts: We’re Better Together This merger is more than a strategic move—it’s a transformative step that allows us to serve our college clients better than ever before. With the right balance of culture, customer focus, communication, and expanded capabilities, we’re poised for long-term success. Let’s go! #Culture #Customers #Communications #Capabilities #Mergers #Acquisitions Christos Karmis Igor Leprince Boldyn Networks Apogee, Inc.

It may be the second “C” in the series, but #Customers are #1 in my book. Customers: The Heart of It All As Steve Jobs wisely noted, “You’ve got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology.” Customers are the lifeblood of any company, and we’re fortunate that both Apogee and Boldyn have a long history of not only serving but retaining our customers. Some of our clients have been with us for over 20 years—a testament to our commitment to doing right by them. Higher education is a unique market, where reputation is everything. Apogee has always been laser-focused on maintaining the trust and loyalty of our college customers, and Boldyn quickly recognized the value of this reputation. While Boldyn’s expertise spans multiple industries, from transportation, venues, corporate real estate and military, our higher education clients are at the core of this merger. We’re now positioned to offer our college customers even more—solutions and expertise from other industries that can enhance campus life, from hybrid networks to AI-driven technology. With this merger, we’re better equipped than ever to solve our customers’ most complex network and technology challenges. And as we continue to innovate, we’ll ensure that our colleges remain at the forefront of technological advancement. We even fortified our higher education mission of - giving higher education the power to do and achieve even more! Monday, we’ll talk about, “Communication”, join me then for our third “C”. #Culture #Customers #Communications #Capabilities #Mergers #Acquisitions Christos Karmis Igor Leprince Boldyn Networks Apogee, Inc.

Our First “C” - Culture: The Foundation for Success in a Merger As Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In a merger, I often think of company cultures like a Venn diagram—the more overlap, the higher the likelihood of a smooth integration. If the cultures align well, and the buyer sees strategic value in the acquired team, customers, and assets, you’ve got the foundation for a home run. One of the first things we recognized within the merger of Apogee and Boldyn Networks was our shared cultural values. #CustomerFirst was a standout value for both of us—and it’s not just a slogan. Years ago, Apogee adopted “We wear your colors” as a way to embody this customer-first mentality. Each college has its own culture, mascot, and colors, and we wanted our employees to feel like an extension of the schools we serve. With the merger, Boldyn has embraced this ethos with us, reaffirming our commitment with “We STILL wear your colors.” Another shared value is #OneTeam, which emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. Creating a unified team across companies isn’t easy, but it’s crucial. Great teamwork isn’t just about tools and processes—it’s about a shared sense of purpose and mutual accountability. We place a huge focus on effective, accountable and harmonious teamwork. That true story is an example of what can be accomplished when talented people collectively commit to being the best they can and recognize that we win and lose together. When I look around our combined company, I see so many employees at all levels who joined us with a foundational understanding and appreciation for great teamwork. Both Apogee and Boldyn have strong foundations in teamwork, and as we move forward together, this value will continue to unite us. As you can see, we are amid something special here. Meet me back on Thursday, I’m diving into the “C” of Customers next. Boldyn Networks Apogee, Inc. Christos Karmis Igor Leprince #Culture #Customers #Communications #Capabilities #Mergers #Acquisitions

The 4Cs of a GREAT Merger? When two companies merge, there’s one shared expectation front and center: the merger will meet or exceed the buyer’s financial goals, delivering immediate strategic value to the combined entity. But what’s the true pathway to achieving those outcomes? Beyond the spreadsheets and financial projections, what really determines if a merger will thrive in the long run? As someone who’s been on both sides of the deal—more often as the acquirer, but also as part of an acquired company—I’ve developed insights that go deeper than the balance sheet. In May, Apogee merged with Boldyn Networks, marking a pivotal moment as we became Boldyn’s higher education division. Now, four months later, it’s time to reflect—not to declare victory, but to assess progress from the acquired company’s perspective. While I’ll explore both sides of the story, my focus is naturally on how this merger has impacted Apogee and our clients. This topic matters because mergers are not just financial transactions; they’re transformative when done right. Boldyn Networks recognized higher education as a high-potential market but had only begun to tap into it. Apogee, with 25 years of experience and a client base that includes hundreds of colleges and millions of students, offered a unique opportunity. By joining forces with Boldyn, Apogee instantly became the premier provider of managed Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and IT services for U.S. higher education. The key to making this merger successful lies in balancing integration without disrupting the core business. Under the leadership of Igor Leprince globally and Christos Karmis in the U.S., we’ve worked to preserve what made both companies strong, while harnessing new synergies. Our ultimate goal is to continue providing exceptional service to our clients while exploring new growth opportunities. Follow me over the next couple of weeks as we dive deeper into how this merger is unfolding through the lens of the “4Cs”—Culture, Customers, Communications and Capabilities. Boldyn Networks #Culture #Customers #Communications #Capabilities #Mergers