So what’s the catch? How do you offer free services?

There is no catch. By focusing on an industry vertical and working with enterprises with significant size, OCx is able to maintain economies of scale and scope, while passing those economies through to our customers.

Economies of Scale: Because we work with larger organizations, the revenue we gain through procurement services fully supports the value-added services we offer. And due to the volume of telecom services we help procure for our clients, we have the influence and buying power to secure industry leading rates and terms.

Economies of Scope: Because we limit our focus to restaurant and retail operations, we know your operations, applications and technologies. Fully understanding the restaurant and retail business allows us to architect solutions that are tailored to your needs and financial constraints. Simply put, it’s our business to know your business, and deliver heavy hitting solutions that dramatically reduce your costs and simplify your operations.

What is the best way to manage my telecom expenses and get control over my telecom environment?

There are many answers, and just as many providers. The relevant questions are which services do you really need, how much might you save through TEM, (telecom expense management) services and how much of your savings will you actually retain?

While the fortune 500 can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase software and professional services from Large TEM companies, most restaurant and retail operators choose to handle telecom expense management themselves. For this reason, OCx has developed a suite of value-added services that augment your internal processes and personnel.

What sort of savings am I likely to realize with OCx?

Typically, we save customers 30% of their top line communications expense. But the figure goes significantly higher when you factor in the soft cost savings associated with our value-added services.

How can I be sure that the providers and solutions you recommend will not present service nightmares?

We realize that not all telecom carriers are created equal. And since we fully support the solutions we help procure, your pain is our pain. That’s why we only recommend solutions and providers that fit your needs, are reliable, and provide responsive customer support.

What is the difference between Professional Services Vendors (TEM, Agency, Help Desk and Audit/Recovery vendors) and Telecom Agencies?

Telecom expense management companies (TEMs) utilize software programs to manage inventories and invoicing. The cost for TEM services can run into the tens of thousands of dollars for enterprise clients.

Telecom Auditors uncover billing errors, assist in recoveries. And retain a portion of the recoveries as a service fee.

Managed Network Solutions monitor and manage circuits and equipment deployed on a network, offer outsourced help desks and coordinate truck rolls, but leave all other functions unattended.

Telecom Agencies generally negotiate contracts, deploy services and walk away.

Only OCx combines the best aspects of all of these business models

You don’t charge us for your services, so what is your incentive to provide us good service?

OCx is in the business for the long term. This is not a business that can be grown and sold off, so our success is based on customer retention and organic, controlled growth. If we do not retain customers, we lose our income stream. Therefore, the customer experience, reputation and relationships are the key factors of success in our business segment.

Since you are compensated by the carriers, how do I know you won’t sell us services we don’t need or inflate prices to increase your revenue?

The ROI for telecom agencies support customer retention over slightly higher short term commissions. We routinely see other agencies making this mistake, which tends to work in our favor. It is much more profitable to deliver cost effective solutions at the most competitive pricing possible under the most favorable contract terms. And to aid customer retention, we provide top notch, customized after sale support.

You may be compensated differently by certain vendors. How do we know you will not push us to a vendor that compensates you better than another?

Each vendor compensates us differently, but market forces keep their agency programs similar. The point is, we are compensated to take care of you. If we are biased in any way, we are biased because some carriers have proven better service providers and/or offer better rates. We are open and honest in our recommendations. Since our objectives are your objectives, our biases are similar.

You may not represent a carrier we are interested in. How do we know you will recommend the best possible solution?

OCx represents nearly all telecom service providers, and can source and manage services from each. If there is a vendor whom we do not represent, we objectively evaluate the services offered. If they are competitive, we typically enter into a representation agreement with them.

Do you limit your recommendations and consulting services only to telecom connectivity?

No. We are concerned about your IT objectives and enabling your core business. For this reason, we are constantly on the lookout for technologies and applications that can favorably impact your business. Our partnership with Indoor Direct is a good example (Find out more>> link to IDD).

If we do business with OCx, are we prohibited from sourcing services directly from other vendors?

Not at all. You are free to source products and services as you wish. Most of our customers choose to procure telecom services through OCx because they see the value in the overlay services we provide.

Do you require a service agreement or contract with OCx? How do we get started?

No contracts or agreements are necessary. However, some clients prefer to have a procurement agreement in place with OCx in order to clarify the relationship and to establish mutual expectations. This is entirely up to you.

If OCx handles our telecom service procurement, can we maintain our current relationships with our telecom representatives, and who fields telecom solicitations?

First, OCx can work closely with telecom reps that you value. Our relationship with you does not preclude a relationship with a valued representative. Second, many customers prefer to refer telecom sales calls to OCx for prescreening.

If I need help managing and/or evaluating services that you did not procure, will you support those as well, or do you charge for managing those services?

This depends on the volume of business we are handling for the client in relation to the volume of business that was procured elsewhere. In general, it is in our best interest to add as much value as possible so as to earn more and more of your business. We currently do provide overlay management for non-OCx procurements for several large clients.

If we procure telecom products through OCx, are we prohibited from dealing directly with the telecom vendor for service issues?

Absolutely not. In fact, we recommend that our clients maintain a direct relationship with the telecom carrier. OCx is here to provide overlay services that buttress the services that are provided by the telecom carriers. You can never have too many support structures at your disposal.