Several things have happened since the last post.  We have had the opportunity to work with more companies, and have been able to open discussions with groups that represent large numbers of locations with small groups of people working at each location.  It seems that just as I pointed out last time:

o   Common Goal

o   Defined Process

o   Get Paid

o   Attract New Customers

These are all common objectives within the business environment. There is also a new trend in the back office support activities.  Our sample company is more than likely using their cell phone as a tool.  With new VoIP services, they keep their cost down by not having a dedicated telephone line, they forward calls from the main office/home to the cell phone when desired, they utilize voice mail straight to their cell phone, receive email, charge credit cards, and many other things. 

However with all of that activity going on with their cell phone, they should utilize some type of filtered email service to prevent spam from going to their cell phone.  

 

So their telecom needs would more than likely be Internet, phone, an arguably television.  That is the same mix that our other customers are looking for as well.   The other companies are also looking at ways to consolidate expenses.  They have been asking for  unlimited computer desktop support, Internet, voice over IP, Television, websites, network monitoring, remote support, on-site support, and (network laundry service, you know clean up the problems.)  All of this on one bill for $2.95 / month.  Well you can’t get everything that you ask for; however, there has been a lot of progress with companies that are now providing these services by working with groups of providers that specialize on specific areas of expertise.  In some situations they have multiple partners just in case one can’t meet the needs of a customer.  They like to call themselves consortiums of network services providers.  For the customer it becomes a one stop shop, one throat to choke, one neck-tie to grab, or better stated, a central point of contact to resolve telecom or data issues that prevent companies from meeting their common goals, following a proven process to increase revenue.

 

Next time, we will discuss some of the new products that are becoming available almost daily.  Until then, I wish you happy hunting on your quest to drive revenues higher.