Platoon 22 supports military veterans in their transition to civilian life. The organization helps veterans access resources for successful reintegration, which means continually expanding their reach and evolving programs to serve veterans more effectively.

Technology plays a critical role in Platoon 22’s mission, and XPERTECHS has been partnering with the nonprofit since it was founded in 2014. They helped establish the Microsoft 365 environment from the ground up, guided equipment procurement, provided cybersecurity training on phishing and spam threats, and built the IT infrastructure the nonprofit depends on.

Technology Integral for Operations and Expansion

Executive Director Niki Falzone has worked with Platoon 22 for more than a decade, first as a volunteer, then full-time since 2019. She relies on XPERTECHS to provide guidance for how they can best utilize and invest in technology. So, when Niki and her staff began planning a move to a new location, they pulled XPERTECHS into the conversation to make sure they had the right technology setup. Since moving meant replacing their phone system anyway, they had an opportunity to solve a bigger problem. 

“The biggest challenge was that we were locked to a desk,” Niki explained. “Someone from our team had to be in a traditional office setting where the phone rang and they could pick it up. A lot of times it was coordinating between schedules to make sure we had overlap in the office, which was kind of a waste of manpower when you look at the way we’re able to function now.” 

Microsoft Teams Phones Provides the Flexibility They Needed

Being desk-bound meant limiting their reach at a time when they wanted to expand.

Mike and the XPERTECHS team saw an opportunity to solve this problem by building on the Microsoft 365 environment they’d already established. They recommended Microsoft Teams Phones, a cloud-based communications system that would work seamlessly with the existing setup and travel with staff wherever they went.

XPERTECHS donated the first full year of Teams Phones licensing and implementation costs, removing the financial barrier.

Learn more about Microsoft Teams Phones

New Programs Became Possible

Teams Phones enabled a new operational model – one where staff could be in multiple locations simultaneously while staying connected. That made it possible to expand their services to include equine therapy and health and wellness events at a different location – a 27-acre farm 30-miles from their new Frederick, Maryland headquarters.

“We don’t have to worry about being out of the office or missing anything,” Niki says. “The new Teams phone system made that whole farm project possible.”

The flexibility also enabled a new use for their existing 12-passenger medical transport bus. Platoon 22 had been using it to take veterans to dialysis, chemotherapy, and other medical appointments. With Teams Phones, they transformed it into a mobile office for outreach in underserved rural areas when it wasn’t in use for veteran transport.

“Having access to everything right there on our mobile devices made all of that next evolution of service possible,” Niki explains. “If we’re doing outreach and maybe we want to be at an event or we’re presenting to a corporation, we can be spread out because our office can be anywhere.”

Surprise Benefit from Having Work from Anywhere Communications

A surprise benefit emerged when working with elderly veterans who lack smartphones. Previously, setting up telehealth appointments or benefits screenings meant lugging a computer and finding a hotspot. Now Niki pulls out her phone and starts a video call.

“When we’re working with our elderly population, not a lot of them have access to a smartphone or technology,” she says. “Now I have the ability to pull out my phone, get on a video conference really quick, and get it taken care of.”

A Partnership That Goes Beyond Technology

Niki reflected on the relationship she’s developed with Mike, President at XPERTECHS, “Mike is super responsive and very insightful. He doesn’t just take what we’re asking for. He really takes the time to understand why we need it and how it’s going to be implemented to make sure that it’s the right product or it’s the right setup. And XPERTECHS is also very aware that we’re a nonprofit, so they keep costs in mind.”

That guidance extends to IT roadmap planning and budget forecasting. XPERTECHS helps Platoon 22 anticipate technology costs years in advance, breaking down expenses by month or year. For a nonprofit where financial planning can mean the difference between sustainability and closure, that proactive support matters.

With XPERTECHS as their technology partner, the Platoon 22 team now operates with a geographic reach they couldn’t achieve before. Veterans receive care coordination, crisis intervention, and wellness support in their communities through mobile outreach and farm-based programs. What started as replacing a phone system became the foundation for an expanded service model that allows Platoon 22 to serve more veterans in more places.

ABOUT PLATOON 22

Platoon 22 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide through connection, purpose, and access to critical resources. Based in Frederick, Maryland, we empower veterans to build fulfilling lives after service by addressing the complex challenges of transition, mental health, housing, and reintegration into civilian life. Visit: https://platoon22.org