Client
Largest publicly held roofing and building supply company with over 500 locations across the US and Canada.
Challenge
A robust acquisition strategy resulted in the client managing a complex environment comprising a hodgepodge of inconsistent products, bandwidth, and services from almost 90 providers. Vendor management was fragmented, time-consuming, and challenging. The limited internal resources were inefficient, with no ability to standardize due to the myriad of providers. They lacked proactive network monitoring and repair support processes. Billing was a nightmare for the accounting department, with over 3,000 telecom accounts without any documentation of services. They were actively acquiring new stores, which continually expanded the information gaps. The client was paying for services they weren’t certain they had or needed, and compounding costs, such as late fees, were not being addressed. They hired a third party to provide support and avoid service outages.
Solution
The client engaged ARG Managing Partner Sue Messner to help standardize internet services across all locations and find a more cohesive, efficient, and cost-effective solution. Messner and the ARG analyst team poured through contracts and invoices, creating a comprehensive inventory of billing assets and contract end dates for the client’s communications networks. They identified inefficient dated technology like POTS lines with exponential price increases. They then examined the geographic footprint and created a complete analysis of qualified providers and bandwidth options. Messner recommended a “one throat to choke” vendor consolidation approach with primary and secondary circuits to ensure that sites would avoid downtime and the associated revenue loss. The robust analysis in the InSITE document presented by Messner’s team allowed the client to confidently select the right vendor and solution to consolidate billing and support.
ARG documented a comprehensive network picture with contract expiration dates, implemented a logical transformation plan, created a site deployment strategy to help the client install and inventory future technology, and worked with the client to disconnect no longer-needed solutions. The winning solution included the deployment of a Smart Hands Technician to every site to perform a physical audit of network devices. It also allowed the client to move to a single invoice and included access to a portal that provided centralized inventory management.
Results
To date, the client has reduced their annual spending by $3 million and has established a standard template that simplifies deployment for future sites and new acquisitions. Vendor management is streamlined to a single portal with real-time inventory and billing information.
ARG can help with your technology procurement and ongoing management and support. Email info@myarg.com to find out how to add ARG’s resources to your team.
