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Search for deals and information from telecom consultants

Telecommunication consulting services can be very expensive and leave you with little to show for the high consulting fees except reports and recommendations. By using the telecommunications consulting services of a manufacturer of telecom equipment, you can see big savings and still get good solid advice.

I recommend: Turn to Apogee for the latest information about specific telecommunications markets to assist you in making the final decisions about your purchases. In addition to supplying the wiring and cabling you need, Information Gatekeepers provides current research and technology assessments based on market reports.

Get unbiased telecom technology consulting

In the long run, it may be more prudent to stick with an independent telecom consulting firm that has no ties to specific manufacturers. You won't have to wonder if you were pressured or if you perhaps missed out on a better opportunity somewhere else. An independent telecom consulting company can help you to negotiate between a number of vendors to put together the best system overall.

I recommend: A company such as Insight Research will bring their expertise to bear through current research and information to help you choose, develop and operate your telecom systems. IT Relo is an independent telecom consulting firm that prides itself on its negotiating power and its 25 years of experience in the industry.

Look at the big picture with telecom consultants

Follow the emerging telecom industry and all the inherent changes going on through the regulators and groups that work with the suppliers, vendors and industry consultants. Find educational information and advice as you gather all the information you need to make informed telecom decisions for your company.

I recommend: The FCC is the major regulator of the telecommunications agency. You can get a complete picture and history of the industry through one of the many reports and publications put out by the agency. The Association of Telecom Management Professionals provides training and credentialing services as well as benchmarking and setting standards and establishing industry-wide best practices.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you question a recommendation made by telecommunications consultants, check with the FCC or an industry trade group for a second opinion.

Guide to Telecommunications Consultants

A telecommunications consultant can help you gain a competitive edge

By Marianne Cotter

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Hiring a telecommunications consultant for strategic planning

Telecommunications goes beyond networks and phone systems to the very core of your business plan. Telecom issues must not only align with and support your company's business plan, but--to be competitive--they should emerge as a primary business driver. A good corporate telecommunications consultant can help you address strategic issues at the highest level.

I recommend: The Society for Telecommunications Consultants has a Find an STC Consultant page, which allows you to fill out a request form or search its members by state. Annotated business descriptions help you find a strategically oriented telecommunications specialist. eWork Markets is a service that matches up clients with telecommunications specialists in a wide range of industries. 

Hiring a telecommunications infrastructure consultant

Whether your business is under one roof, distributed between several locations or completely virtual, your telecommunications network is its lifeblood. A corporate telecommunications consultant can help you design your systems from the ground up, analyzing your needs and installing hardware and software systems.

I recommend: Fortune Consulting offers tactical and strategic plans for infrastructure development and growth. Try the Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure Service Provider directory on  Business.com for links to telecommunications consultants providing hardware, software and systems for developing a wireless infrastructure.

Hiring a telecommunications consultant for call center optimization

Today's call centers are far more than a communication touch point with customers. A state-of-the-art call center is technologically and strategically linked with all other businesses processes, both front and back office. A telecommunications consultant can help you optimize your call center operations.

I recommend: Teleplaza has a service that connects clients with both domestic and international call center consultants. Check the member list at the Society for Telecommunications Consultants for consultants who specialize in call centers. Business.com's Call Center Consultants page has links to telecommunications specialists  that can help you optimize your call center's technology and processes, whether the call center is on-site or outsourced. 

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for a corporate telecommunications consultant who views telecommunications as a business strategy, rather than simply a technology.
• •  Find a telecommunications consultant who is familiar with a variety of solutions, not just those of a particular company.
• •  Chose a corporate telecommunications consultant who has experience in your industry.
• •  Have your telecommunications consultant include ROI in a proposal.
• •  Make sure your telecommunications consultant offers scalable solutions that allows for your company's future growth.

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Use full-service telecommunications consultants

Instead of going through a lot of trial and error and spending time and valuable resources setting up your communications systems with different communications consulting firms, bring in a telecom consulting company that can review your needs and set you up with your internal hardware, mobile and wireless systems.

I recommend: Thompson, Ross & Associates is a full-service, independent telecom consulting firm. They can assist you with all your applications and find the best products for your needs since they don’t sell the equipment or services. VeriSign works with a variety of industries and can provide services for any number of areas of your business.

Choose wireless telecom consultants

Work with niche agencies to monitor your wireless communications needs and make recommendations so that you can always be taking advantage of the latest technology. By keeping the consultants on retainer, you can stay informed of upgrades and changes in the industry.

I recommend: Work with Advocate Networks to create a telecommunications system that is right for your company. connectBlue specializes in Bluetooth commercial applications, integrating your mobile and in-house systems to work smoothly together.

Let business telecommunication consulting services handle it all

Outsource your telecom operations to a company that can handle all aspects of the system leaving you free to run your company. They can maintain the equipment, handle billing and provide regular reports. Outsourced telecom services relieve you and your managers from one more piece of the complicated business territory to those who are experts in that field.

I recommend: Work with EBI consulting to outsource your telecom systems and their operation. Accenture offers a choice of levels for the amount of hands-on service you require. Use them for one-time consulting or to manage complete projects.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you are working with telecommunications consultants, make sure that they have a way to offer measurable results on a regular basis so they can show you savings or increased efficiency.

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Baud

Baud is a measure of traffic speed between communications devices. It measures data transferred per second. For example 3000 baud is equivalent to 3000 bits per second of transferred data.

I recommend: You can get a thorough, layperson's understanding of bauds at TechTerms.com.

GSM

The term GSM is an international cellular standard for interoperability between wireless communications devices. It is at the root of roaming, which is the feature that allows cellular devices to work outside their home areas.

I recommend: PC Magazine has an encyclopedia that offers a through discussion of GSM and which tells why it is an important term, if you will be working in the telecommunications field or with consultants.

Streaming

Streaming is a method for sending online data between a point of origin and a website. Its popularity is growing due to the increased need to transmit larger bits of data like video and pictures.

I recommend: You can find a useful description of streaming, including its pros and cons, at the TechNet site by Microsoft.

Data compression

Data compression allows for faster transmission speeds. It is the act of squashing data to get it through the communication channels in tact.

I recommend: A strong definition of data compression and a discussion of its usefulness is available at ZDNet.

ITU

ITU is the International Telecommunications Union based in Geneva, Switzerland. Telecommunications consulting work is global now, and the ITU will help you appreciate its reach.

I recommend: You can learn most of what you'll need to learn about the ITU at its official site, including the drive to connect the entire world through telephone service by 2015.

Asynchronous transmission/transfer mode

Asynchronous transmission/transfer mode is a data transmission method allowing for transmission characters that are unequal in length. Start and stop bits control the transmission, and the two terms are interchangeable.

I recommend: The International Engineering Consortium provides definitions and diagrams that effectively describe asynchronous transmission/transfer mode.