Solutions 

Total telecom asset management is accomplished when the right processes, tools and people converge and work synergistically to manage, control and forecast the requirements and costs associated with an organization’s telecommunication infrastructure. 

CEG’s strategic, phased approach to total telecom asset management utilizes the following four strategies: 

1. Analysis of historical expense records to identify and recover overcharges resulting from past billing errors;
2. Optimization of telecom assets and services through the development of client-centered solutions (both technical and non-technical);
3. Integration of automated software solution sets to expedite bill verification, chargeback, and payment processes, as well as forecast telecom expenses for improved monitoring and management; and,
4. Development of telecommunication asset management processes to ensure that gains achieved are maintained.
    

Phase 1: Historical Invoice Audit

The historical audit and bill review process is designed to identify and recover past billing overcharges and to develop an accurate inventory of all telecommunication assets.

The audit and bill review process involves:

• Analysis of historical expense records to identify billing errors;
• Recovery of overcharges stemming from incorrectly billed invoices;
• Development of current telecom asset expense management process flows; and,
• Network infrastructure mapping.

CEG has extensive knowledge of telecom tariffs, regulatory issues, and contractual law pertaining to the pricing and billing of telecommunication services.  CEG will audit invoices and seek the recovery of overcharges as far back as a valid billing error exists and contractual or tariff conditions allow.  CEG has successfully obtained overcharge credits from providers dating as far back as six years.

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Phase 2: Optimization 

CEG’s optimization process begins with a structured assessment of the current infrastructure and telecommunication requirements of the client organization.  This phase relies on an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the organization’s telecom operations, network, assets, and goals.  These insights, gained through the initial audit and inventory process, inform the development of client-centered solutions (both technical and non-technical) that are designed to maximize future savings, increase network efficiency, and ensure that negotiated contracts facilitate access to responsive technological innovations that are competitively priced.

The Management of Telecom-Specific Procurement – An Example of a Non-Technical Solution

An RFP may be initiated in response to cost-avoidance opportunities identified during the auditing process, telecom needs identified during the initial assessment, or both.  The goal of the RFP process is to identify the provider that can best meet the financial, core service- and customer service-related requirements of a particular client.  CEG uses information gained through the auditing process, client consultation and a facilitated pre-bid conference to inform the development of a detailed Scope of Work and RFP. 

Client organizations benefit from a procurement process, facilitated and managed by TFM experts, in the following ways: 

1. The RFP process provides a structured opportunity for stakeholders representing the client organization to articulate needs and have that information consolidated for optimization.  The input of key representatives of the organization reinforces commitment to the process and, ultimately, to more fully utilizing contracted services.
2. Pre-bid conferences bring together vendors to discuss optimal service options and the parameters of those services in a peer environment that facilitates obtaining accurate and complete information in response to questions critical to addressing the TFM interests of a client organization.
3. CEG effectively and insightfully probes during the bidders' conference, thereby maximizing the quality of the information obtained and used to inform the development of the Scope of Work and RFP documents.  CEG serves as an effective client advocate.

CEG works in partnership with existing procurement departments to assist in developing statements of work and RFPs that reflect the complex and highly-specialized service requirements of IT departments.

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Phase 3: Software Integration

CEG’s software solution includes a fully modular set of applications designed to manage all aspects of bill validation and payment processes.  The capacities of the software accommodate a sufficient level of flexibility to meet any organization’s internal expense management requirements.  Specialized functionalities include the following: 

• Monthly bill verification, payment processing, and exception reporting;
• Management of a real-time inventory of all telecommunication assets;
• Contract compliance monitoring and verification;
• Chargeback functionality; and,
• Facility provisioning and order processing.