The Challenge
Managing circuits across multiple states was a significant challenge for Melvin Evans, the CIO at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC. With approximately 23 circuits spread across their Alabama and Florida offices, Evans was personally responsible for overseeing the entire process, from placing orders to negotiating contracts and managing relationships with multiple internet service providers (ISPs). This was time-consuming and often inefficient.
In particular, the firm faced difficulties with sourcing the best carriers, especially in rural or less-served areas where some of their offices were located. Evans frequently encountered limited options when searching for service providers, as many carriers did not advertise their availability in these regions. Additionally, managing invoices became a burden, with issues like double payments and missed bills affecting the firm's operational efficiency. The lack of a streamlined, centralized system for managing circuits and billing created unnecessary complexity, diverting time and resources away from strategic IT initiatives.
The Solution
vCom Solutions provided a comprehensive solution that alleviated the firm's circuit management and billing burdens. By leveraging vCom's vendor-agnostic platform, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC was able to tap into a broader pool of service providers, some of which Evans was not previously aware of. This expanded network not only offered better pricing but also provided access to more reliable service options in rural areas, improving the firm's overall connectivity.
Furthermore, vCom handled all aspects of billing management, integrating the firm's circuit and provider data into their system. This eliminated mistakes such as double payments and missed invoices, simplifying the firm's financial processes. With vCom's support, the firm could now automate and streamline invoicing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. This change significantly reduced administrative overhead, allowing Evans and his team to focus on strategic IT goals rather than getting bogged down in the logistics of circuit management and billing.
In 2014, vCom partnered with Duane Morris' IT team to migrate all TDM-based infrastructure to SIP trunking as part of a global Unified Communications initiative, and integrated Duane Morris' GL codes into vManager, automating cost allocation, chargebacks, and A/P posting directly into the firm's accounting software. vCom also brought mobile expenditures into vManager, automating optimization reports, and helped manage network infrastructure and circuits enterprise-wide.
The Results
Through vCom's intervention, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC achieved substantial improvements in both cost and operational efficiency. The firm not only saved time by eliminating manual billing processes but also benefited from better contract management and optimized circuit sourcing, especially in underserved areas. By centralizing the management of their circuits and invoices, the firm reduced errors and avoided costly delays.
Wider pool of reliable service providers
Streamlined and consolidated invoice paying system
Gave back substantial time to IT team
Additionally, Evans reported significant time savings, allowing his team to focus more on enhancing IT services for the firm rather than being bogged down with paperwork and negotiations.
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