In this post, I want to cover the difference between Telecom Aggregation and Consolidated Billing. How they can simplify your day to day operations and even save you some money in the process.
It is hard for a small business to stay competitive if it is not keeping up with the technology available to it. And the technology changes rapidly. Telecom is rarely what makes money for a business but it can definitely be where it saves money.
Companies that lease telecom infrastructure from local service providers, package it with other
services and resell it are known as Telecom Aggregators. Typically, Aggregators can offer these bundled services at a discount. The Aggregators are able to build multi-carrier networks that are seamless to the customer. Multiple carrier integration can match underlying carrier strengths with a client’s needs to customize the most advanced, cost-effective and productive solutions for each customer and office location. The Aggregators then become the single point of contact for all the services that they have resold. All services can be delivered on one bill with a dedicated team handling all service related issues. This allows for a simpler customer service experience when questions arise or services need to be changed.
Listing out some of the benefits that Telecom Aggregators provide:
- A single source for access to the best rates and service offerings for Data, Voice T1, PRI, POTS (Plain Old Telephone Lines), MPLS, Private line and wireless
- Takes responsibility for verifying that bills are accurate and meet contractual obligations
- Streamlined costs through the delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of service solutions
- Able to assemble, manage and seamlessly integrate multiple network providers into a single customer solution.
- Provides carrier portfolio and solution expertise to address clients evolving growth initiatives.
- Simplifies telecom expense reporting for multi-locations.
- Allows invoices to be paid by parent or individual sub-location.
- Provides a one-call contact service for support and trouble resolution.
On the other hand, think of Billing Consolidators as an outsourced Accounts Payable Department for your 
Telecom services. A consolidator is set up to receive the bills from multiple telecom service providers which are then verified and combined into one bill that a business can pay with confidence that it is accurate. In contrast to an Aggregator service that provides the telecom infrastructure and services under a single bill, Billing Consolidators process multiple Telecom bills into a single bill. A Bill Consolidator really adds value when a company with multiple locations gets bills and communications from multiple service providers.
Some additional benefits that Bill Consolidation provide are:
- Invoices that can be provided in paper, email, CD or a customized online portal.
- Reduce the work load on the accounts payable department.
- Consolidator expertise can recommend service streamlining and redundancy elimination for cost savings
- Invoices can be paid by parent company or individual sub-location.
- Customers can assign specific ledger numbers to each sub-location to assist with cost allocation.
- One call for billing support and trouble resolution for all business locations.
Both Aggregators and Consolidators can provide a single bill. Behind the scenes, Aggregators negotiate and lease services from multiple providers and present them as one cohesive service offering. On the other hand, Consolidators receive the bills from the multiple providers that the customer has negotiated services from. The Consolidator validates the bills against the contracts and presents one merged bill to the customer.
Teledata Select offers a whole range of services that will help you meet your business goals. Starting with a complimentary review of your current telecommunication bills to identify errors and find opportunities for savings, better service and more functionality. We also offer project management for new service implementation and infrastructure installs, including fiber and low voltage cabling. Call us at 404-257-1502 to discuss your current Telecom Service Solution and what you would like to get out of it. Or send us a note via This Link to start a no obligation discussion of your specific business technology needs.
John Hagan is President of TeleData Select, a Telecommunications Consultant located in Atlanta, Ga serving customers throughout the US and overseas. His company provides business solutions for voice, data, mobile and cloud solutions for both large and small businesses. Contact John or his team for a complimentary telecom audit to make sure you’re getting the best value for communication services. The savings you receive could offset the cost of purchasing a new Hosted or Premise based solution.
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