Q: What are typical savings a company can expect from a Telecom Audit?

A: Savings vary dramatically depending on the telecom configuration, specific vendors involved and the total telecom spend. TnT Expense Management has been very successful in finding savings, but more importantly, in the actual recovery or collection of credits. Savings have ranged from a low of 5% for local billing reviews, to as high as 35% for all long distance and data billing. Other variables that impact savings include vendor account teams, client auditing and date of most recent contract negotiation.

Q: What is involved in finding cost savings opportunities for my company?

A: TnT Expense Management evaluates the overall telecom network infrastructure and telecom billing relative to the business. The detailed analysis that TnT performs on invoices results in our ability to identify increased cost savings opportunities. Savings come from:

• Negotiations with vendors
• Converting services to alternate carriers or services
• Performing billing and circuit audits which result in credits for overcharges
• The audit function is an on-going necessity to ensure accurate billing and that refund opportunities are recognized and successfully brought to completion

Q: How do you ensure that our Telecom Inventory is maintained and updated?

A: We begin with a client provided Inventory at implementation. Updates are made based on:

• Invoice processing & reconciliation of Inventory
• Access to Network Order notifications: additions/deletions/relocations of circuits and/or services
• Format of circuit numbers to ensure accurate matches against billing and trouble reporting purposes
• Exception report items are then researched in detail and appropriate actions taken:
  • Circuits billed that were canceled or not yet installed. TnT Expense Management will open a credit tracking record, notify the carrier and persistently pursue a credit/refund. The credit record remains open until the credit/refund is received.
  • Circuits billed, not in inventory but actually installed. TnT Expense Management will work with the Client to accurately update the inventory and potentially provide accrual information.

Q: What actions are taken to determine if there is incorrect billing and/or overcharges?

A: There are several steps taken and include:

• A review of telecom vendor contracts
• Preparation of summarized rate information (i.e., tables by carrier and type of service)
• Determination of tax exempt locations or applicability
• Rate information is entered into the rate module of TeleBase® for subsequent invoice processing. When discrepancies are identified, actions taken include:
  • Rate dispute reports are generated for each invoice
  • Telebase® opens a credit tracking record for each dispute
  • Analyst notifies the carrier and persistently pursues a credit/refund
  • Credit records remain open until the credit/refund is received
  • Credit tracking reports are generated on a monthly basis, summarizing open credit issues
  • Weekly conference calls are held with telecom suppliers to review status of open credit records
  • Credits received on subsequent invoices are analyzed, and credit records updated accordingly