3 Keys To Effective Telecom Consulting | Telecom Consultants

Telecom consulting can be a broad and often misunderstood term.  In general telecom consulting involves creating a telecom expense management plan that offers service optimization and significant savings on both telecom and wireless expenses.  To see real savings long term, you need a comprehensive and effective TEM plan and experienced telecom consultants.  3 keys to effective telecom consulting include:

Bill Review: An in-depth review of your invoices, telecom contracts and usage will help to maximize value and minimize expenses. A systematic approach to this will reveal billing errors and excesses. 

Telecom Audits: A telecom audit includes all of your telecommunications and wireless services. Typically for most clients this includes: local service, long distance, toll free, wireless, teleconferencing, web conferencing, and data services. The audit will uncover areas for long term telecom savings.

TEM Software: Using such sophisticated TEM software as Bill Genie, your telecom consultant can enhance your savings through automation, monitoring, and reporting. You want to be sure that every opportunity for savings is being exhausted.

We specialize in telecom consulting with a focus on long term telecom expense reduction.  Our telecom consultants are knowledgeable, responsive and experienced. We offer contingency based telecom audits so there is no up front fee and no risk. We can help you maximize your telecom savings and profits.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

Happy Holidays & Best Practices from Global Solutions Inc. | Telecom Audit Specialists

First and foremost we would like to wish you a happy holiday season and prosperity in the New Year. Many business owners spend time at the end of the year evaluating their business and its finances.  Starting the New Year with significant savings, can be a definite plus.  Here are a few tips and best practices that can save you money on your telecom expenses in the New Year…

SCHEDULE A TELECOM AUDIT: Ending this year or starting next year with a contingency telecom audit can help set you up for success and increased profits. The significant savings that most telecom audits result in can be reinvested wisely into your business. Rather than overpaying on phone bills, you can spend that money on such things as marketing, employee raises or infrastructure.

WIRELESS CONTRACT REVIEW: Dealing with wireless contracts and service plans for your company and employees can be overwhelming. Hiring a company like ours to thoroughly review, analyze and renegotiate your current wireless agreements can save your company money long term.  Wireless plans and programs constantly change, so we will be your eyes and ears to continually ensure that you are maximizing your mobile cost reduction now and going forward.

BE OPEN TO OPPORTUNITY: Sometimes we can resist change, even when we are not happy with our current situation. Start the New Year with an open mind. If you have been putting off a telecom audit or TEM consultation, make it a point put it on your calendar now with a firm deadline for implementation. Opportunity for improved telecom services and savings may be right underneath your nose, and we can help uncover it for you.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

So What is Wireless Expense Management? | Wireless Cost Reduction

Wireless expense management is much more than just putting you and your employees on a “cheaper” wireless plan or trying to negotiate a discount with your provider. We call our wireless expense management “wireless optimization” because we focus on retaining optimal mobile services for your business, while minimizing costs, eliminating extraneous fees, and renegotiating wireless contracts to your company's benefit.  Our wireless expense management services are extremely comprehensive. We take the time to understand each end user  while simultaneously looking at the group as a whole. As a part of our wireless expense management services, we will conduct a thorough wireless audit, which will include:

• Analyzing all voice, data, features, taxes and billable services
• Wireless contract negotiation or renegotiation
• A detailed plan to lower the current wireless spend and create long term wireless cost reduction
• Ongoing support using our web-based Telecom Expense Management tool, Bill Genie

The benefits of wireless expense management are enormous and have a “real” monetary value for your business.  Minimizing your mobile costs, while maximizing your service and profitability is the core of our wireless expense management services.  Feel free to call us today for a complimentary consultation on our wireless optimization.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…

1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

The Brilliance of Bill Genie | Telecom Expense Management

Bill Genie performs “magic” on your bottom line, making extraneous costs and fees disappear.  Our telecom expense management software, Bill Genie works to proactively reduce your costs.   Bill Genie offers comprehensive telecom expense management solutions that are then elevated by the input of our experienced telecom consulting team.  With Bill Genie, you can expect:

CFO Bill Genie controls spend levels to impact your bottom line.

CIO Bill Genie provides timely and accurate reporting, and centralizes all contracts.

Controller/AP Bill Genie automates ledger coding, current and historical data for budget, access to how bills are paid and disputed, and reconciliation.

IT Director/Telecom Mgr Bill Genie tracks billing claims electronically, enables view of each invoice from the inbox to the paybox, provides inventory control for equipment and services, and access to web-based bills within 48 hours of receipt from the telecom vendor.

The true brilliance of Bill Genie is the tremendous amount of money it can save your company.  Bill Genie is designed to automatically maximize your savings and minimize your costs. It is a well known telecom management industry fact that uncovering a billing error is only 20% of the work. The other 80% of the work goes into chasing down every penny from vendors, fixing it, and proving it has been reconciled. We put focus and effort into both. Our telecom consulting and telecom expense management services are extraordinarily effective and contingency based.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

Why A Contingency Telecom Audit Is The Way To Go | Telecom Audit Company

Seeing how a telecom audit can benefit your business may be a no brainer for many business owners, CEOs and CFOs, but figuring out who should conduct it or the best methodology and procedure can be more difficult to discern. When making this decision, one may consider conducting an in-house audit, hiring an outside firm or purchasing telecom audit software.  

Conducting an in-house audit may turn out to be much more difficult than anticipated.  A lack of tools, metrics, live benchmarking, and expertise can leave you at a serious disadvantage and minimize any potential savings. Purchasing telecom audit software may not be a bad idea, but when the software is not partnered with an experienced telecom audit professional, data weaknesses, software limitations and necessary follow through will still greatly reduce potential cost reduction.

Hiring an experienced TEM firm that offers contingency based audits will offer you the best opportunity for the greatest savings. With a contingency based audit you pay nothing up front and only pay fees if savings are confirmed. This puts you in a win-win position. Hiring a firm like ours that utilizes professional telecom audit software, a team of trained professionals and vast TEM industry knowledge will likely result in significant, long-term telecom cost reduction.

We work with existing carriers to optimize charges, reduce cost, and obtain refunds. Not to mention, most telecommunications audits are completed in just 30 to 60 days.  Call us today learn more about our TEM consulting and contingency telecom audits. 

Contact GSI for a complimentary Telecom Audit consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

A 4-Pronged Approach To Telecom Expense Management

As a leader in the telecom expense management industry, we use an effective web-based telecom expense management software tool called Bill Genie. This comprehensive TEM software helps companies achieve total control over telecom expenses resulting in telecom cost reduction using a four pronged approach. Bill Genie is an outsource solution for all of your invoicing wishes.

COST ACCOUNTABILITY

• Bill Genie validates every penny, and systematically examines bills for errors, credits, refunds, and accuracy.
• Bill Genie also ensures contract terms and service providers are in compliance.
• Eliminate late payment fees.

TECHNOLOGY

• Automated A/P Mapping and GL Coding. Consolidate dissimilar billing data and bill formats from various telecom providers to a common bill repository for analysis and management review.

AUTOMATION

• Bill Genie is a web-based application that controls spending.
• Automatically flags billing errors.
• Highlights first bills for accuracy review.

REPORTING & ONLINE BILL APPROVAL

• Bill Genie produces customized reports, inventory maintenance, usage, tracks historical usage and cost trends for budget preparation. Authorizes online bill approval and payment.

Our niche in the telecom expense management industry is coupling the unique TEM technology behind Bill Genie with our experienced account managers who help validate billing, implement savings, and manage other functions of day to day telecom and wireless management. Click here to learn more about our telecom expense management services.

Contact GSI for a complimentary TEM consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

What’s Included In An Audit Of Invoices? | Telecom Audit

GSI will include any expenses in telecom & wireless in our telecom audit. These often include: local service, data networks (MPLS, wide area, and DSL), long distance, wireless (cell phones, smartphones, & data cards), conferencing, and phone maintenance fees.

Following a kickoff call and collection of bills and contracts, GSI will have initial audit savings and refund opportunities within the first 30 days of the project for most enterprise audits. The next 30 days include implementing any approved client savings directly with the vendors by GSI. We will then validate all approved savings prior to being compensated from new vendor invoices. This is a competitive advantage.

Our Telecom Analysts have extensive experience in working with the myriad of phone bills, formats, and vaguely discernible charges on telephone invoices. A comprehensive audit includes all services with all vendors and will focus on invoice accuracy, contract compliance by the carriers, and comparison to current marketplace pricing. Telecommunication costs are fast becoming one of the largest expenses and most complex areas to challenge management for companies today. Click here to learn more about our telecom audits and how we can help.

Contact GSI for a complimentary TEM consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

Global Solutions Inc Supports The ISDD Golf Tournament

Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability (ISDD) (formerly Institute for the Study of Disadvantage and Disability) just had its 7th Annual Golf Invitational on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at St. Marlo Country Club in Duluth, Georgia. We have supported ISDD for several years.  We sponsored multiple teams and had clients, partners, and friends of GSI playing with us, which helped to make this event such a success!

We thank everyone who participated and attended for their ongoing support.  If you have not played with us, please join us next year. Not only is it a great game of golf, but you will be helping children in need at the same time!

ISDD is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting health equity among children living in social and economic disadvantage with or at risk for disability. Our vision is to increase the likelihood of success for these children by making a positive difference in their lives. Our projects focus on children in need; they include Project GRANDD, which supports grandparents who are struggling to raise their grandchildren with disabilities and Healthcare Without Walls which provides healthcare services to children whose mothers have been homeless. ISDD also has an annual program for university students to develop projects that will ‘Break the Cycle’ of disadvantage and disability for the children. This program is now in its 8th year and has had more than 50 student projects to date. You can visit www.isdd-home.org for more information on ISDD. 

When you sponsor this event, you will promote your company to an audience who is loyal to their sponsors and you will also connect with many area professionals participating in this event. Your contribution will support the activities of ISDD in continuing to make a difference that will benefit our children and our society for the future. We offer various levels of sponsorship. We are so proud to be a part of this worthy cause and invite you to be a part of it as well. 

Contact GSI for a complimentary TEM consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

The Power Of A Telecom Expense Audit | TEM

Every company wants to cut costs and gain an edge on the competition. The experts at GSI can help your  company control telecom costs. Our comprehensive telecom expense audits will:

• Eliminate Billing Errors

• Recover Credits and Refunds

• Ensure Contract and Vendor Compliance

• Recommend Network Optimization Actions

Our certified telecommunications auditors have experience in working with the myriad of phone bills, formats, and vaguely discernible charges that are common occurrences on phone bills. We also utilize effective telecom audit software in our telecom audit process. This is an actual client testimonial that attests to the true power and savings involved in a telecom expense audit...

"In the last five years, we have cut our telecom expenses in half, saving more than $2.5 Million. GSI meticulously scrutinized our data service charges, won large refunds for billing errors, and negotiated more favorable contracts for us. It made me look like a hero."

- Rhodes Furniture

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…

1-800-300-8144

www.billgenie.com

Restoring Order To Telecom Chaos | TEM

The first quarter of a new year is always in turmoil for clients as they set their sights for a prosperous new year. The forwarding of the clock also severely impacts the major telecommunications carriers as well. This is the time of the year when the major players make their re-organizational changes.

As a result, in case you haven’t noticed, you may have a new account team, or orders placed in the fourth quarter of last year have never been implemented, or credits that you are waiting for have not happened. This could also represent their downsizing, cost savings, and the changing of their entire market strategy. Usually, you the customer are the last to know. When faced with these uncertainties – it’s hard to know where to begin.

Global Solutions Inc (GSI) has been helping thousands of clients since 1992 find quick solutions to these real problems. Whether it is local service, data, mobility changes, or basic contract management, implementation, or negotiation – we are there to help in any way. We get the job done quickly and we restore order where chaos once ruled the day.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

But I’m Under Contract? | Telecom & Wireless Contract Management

With the majority of telecom and wireless contracts being a 1, 2, or even 3 year commitment, it is common and almost certain that the majority of companies are under contract for various services at any given time.  However, even if under contract there are various ways of renegotiating current agreements, and a telecom audit can help uncover to create additional savings going forward.

Overcharges that are uncovered can help a company with time left on an agreement leverage the carrier to rip up the current non competitive agreement and do the right thing going forward to save the business.  Even with experts on staff it is a challenge to know the current marketplace without having a partner who’s been in the trenches on both sides of the table negotiating thousands of contracts, with current competitive marketplace experience on terms, conditions, and loopholes.

A couple of reasons companies pay too much for telecom:
• Most companies don’t understand their own metrics to leverage the best deal through the purchasing power they rightfully have.

• The rates are ok, but not great, who’s to know…

• The company did nothing when the contract expired.  They simply allowed it to automatically rollover at the same or even higher rates.

• The account rep told them it was their best deal and they believe it!

• They assumed that because of their size, they were getting the best rates and terms and conditions in their contracts.

• No feel for what “competitive pricing” would be in the marketplace, and negotiated own contract.

• Received multi-vendor cell phone bills – no metrics in place to compare them, signed the contracts, and were left exposed.

• Assume that local telecom companies are truly price competitive all the time.

To take full advantage of corporate purchasing power and to make certain of the very best rates, terms, and conditions in the marketplace being offered companies will seek out GSI to be the lead on an RFP for service, be hand in hand, or behind the scenes to make the carriers step up to the table with their best offers.  “GSI improved our bottom line by $3.9 Million in a couple of months by meticulously scrutinizing every last contract variable and negotiating the most favorable telecom contract we’ve ever had which included a signing bonus” (Amelia Goldacker/Adventist Healthcare).

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com

3 Things To Consider When Hiring A Telecom Auditor | TEM

Once you have reached the important decision to hire a telecom auditor or TEM firm, it is key to ensure that it will be a profitable investment on your end.  Telecom audits are designed to improve your bottom line so you can keep more of your company’s valuable revenue. Here are 3 major points to consider when selecting a telecom auditor or TEM company:

1. HOLD YOUR TELECOM AUDITOR RESPONSIBLE - Not only should your telecom audit uncover waste and implement a course of action for savings, the steps necessary to ensure both should be completed by the auditor.   Be sure that the auditor will actually correct any errors on your behalf so that your company is not saddled with that responsibility.

2. DO NOT PAY UPFRONT CHARGES - If you telecom auditor is competent and confident in their ability to save you money on your telecom expenses, they should have no problem working on a contingency basis. They should not be paid until you receive your savings.

3. BE SURE THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFLICTING INTERESTS - Your telecom auditor or TEM firm should not have any alliance or represent any telecom carrier. Be sure there is no conflict of interest and that they are working for you and you alone.

When selecting your telecom auditor, make a sound decision that will maximize your savings. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of a telecom audit, feel free to give us a call.

Contact GSI for a complimentary consultation…
1-800-300-8144
www.billgenie.com