» Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Independent Telcom Agency?

Independent telcom agencies are the result of telecommunications carriers downsizing and outsourcing.  ComHelpDesk is a business that's authorized and certified to represent and support the products of carriers.  Our ComHelpDesk staffers came from the carriers to work as independent agents because it's the best way to serve clients.  We are required to complete the same rigorous training as internal carrier employees and are certified in the identical manner.  

Why do telecommunications carriers outsource the sale and support of their products and service?

Carriers, like most large businesses, outsource to reduce internal costs, decrease customer turn-over and increase customer satisfaction.  Independent telcom agencies create and maintain very strong long-term relationships with their clients within their communities giving carriers an effective way to interact with their customers.  It's more cost effective, too.

Why would I procure through the ComHelpDesk instead of the carriers directly?

Keep in mind this important fact:  Who uses agents? 

Professional athletes, professional entertainers, home buyers/sellers, the list goes on and on.  Everyone that uses an agent - regardless of industry - does so because they need an expert. But here's the best news - we're free. Absolutely free equates to absolutely a great reason our clients use us.

We give new meaning to the term "free agent" - we're paid by the carriers to work with you so there is no charge - and the benefits are staggering: 

• Free augmentation of your telcom staff - Most ComHelpDesk clients are mid-sized businesses with significant voice, data and IP applications.  Our typical client has an IT Director that is also responsible for telcom management.  The IT Director uses the ComHelpDesk as part of their staff, off-loading day-to-day telecom tasks and freeing more time for IT management.  Using the ComHelpDesk is like hiring a Telcom Manager but without adding pay role.

• Free supplement to your carrier support – Just like a vitamin nutritional supplement fills the gap between what you eat and what you need, we're paid by carriers to be a free resource in addition to existing carrier internal people.  We're a free addition, not a replacement.

• Choices & Flexibility - The ComHelpDesk stands apart from internal carrier staff who are limited to their carrier's product options.  The ComHelpDesk gives businesses choices between different carrier's product lines.

• Account Team stability & Free Back Up - The ComHelpDesk is an adjunct to the carrier's internal sales and support staff creating unprecedented stability for our clients.  Over our 20 year history, ComHelpDesk clients have enjoyed migration between telecommunications carriers while maintaining their free, augmented account support from the ComHelpDesk.  We give our clients another dedicated avenue to the carriers that doesn't cost a thing.

• Efficiency  – The ComHelpDesk has direct links to the carriers' systems benefiting everyone - our clients can call us for adds, moves, changes, problem resolution and never sit in a call center queue.  The carriers have less people sitting in their call centers trying to deal with customers frustrated by long waits.  Of course, our clients can call the carriers if they wish, whichever works the best for you.

• Coalescence - We bring your team together as never before.  Your dedicated ComHelpDesk Account Manager will work with your organization to improve current systems and to evaluate and research future requirements.  We consistently improve coordination between our client's:

  • IT Director

  • Telecom Manager

  • Equipment Vendors

  • Software Vendors

  • Local Telco, and

  • Interexchange Carriers

  If you don't have a Telecom Manager, your ComHelpDesk Account Manager will assist your IT Director by taking on those tasks.  If you don't have an IT Director the ComHelpDesk will fill the gap and deliver the information and answers you need to provide the IT capabilities you want.

• Optimizing - Oversight – It's horrible to find out that you could've gotten a lower price, higher discount, promotion than what you ended up with. The ComHelpDesk is aware of market changes, trending and innovations, making us vital to the ongoing efforts of businesses to lower costs. The ComHelpDesk is beholden to our clients satisfaction and we take our responsibility as guardian very seriously.  

And the old adage "Only a fool represents himself in a court of law" is a bit harsh but you get the drift - a "free agent" who negotiates contracts, processes orders, etc. every day at no cost to you is a whole lot smarter than going it alone.

Can ComHelpDesk provide in depth communications consulting?

Yes, in fact it ensures a more perfect outcome.  ComHelpDesk has frequently worked with the independent consulting firm CommuniBIZ providing in depth communications consulting to clients.  Using an independent consulting firm ensures an impartial view of your business and the processes required to reach your goals.  Selecting a telecom provider is secondary to a thorough analysis of your business and the identification of precise telecom requirements.  ComHelpDesk believes that larger companies should never use their carrier in a telecom consulting role.

CommuniBIZ highlights:

• Matching the right technology to your communications needs will create seamless systems and practices for your business.  There's no shortage of technology choices, but the challenge is to identify the right fit for a personalized and efficient system.  Our technology experts have years of experience training and implementing the latest communications technology.

• Customizing the right mix of training and consulting services for your business is important.  Interpersonal communications and quality customer service are integral to successful business.  We know that your business is unique.  By gaining an understanding of your business strengths and your specific needs, we are able to tailor solutions for immediate results.

• Tapping into the consortium of trained professionals enables us to provide a full suite of services to meet all of your needs to communicate effectively with customers, employees and business peers.

Visit CommuniBIZ at www.CommuniBIZ.com and tell them the ComHelpDesk sent you.

Not located in the Mountain West? We would be happy to work with a consulting firm within your area of the country.

Does ordering my carrier services through the ComHelpDesk interfere with my carrier relationship?

Quite the contrary, in addition to the comprehensive support the carriers give all their customers, our clients enjoy an enhanced level of support from their familiar ComHelpDesk team. Carrier responsibilities and support of their customers are identical regardless of how you procure your service.

What enhanced support does ComHelpDesk give me?

You’re the sole reason our company exists and we never forget that.  We process, oversee and implement all types of moves, adds, and change orders via the identical carrier-provided systems that their internal general customer care centers utilize. However, because we work with multiple carriers, the “enhanced support” translates to our clients getting the individual attention the carrier’s no longer can afford to provide.

How much does using ComHelpDesk cost?

Nothing and in fact, our clients enjoy numerous savings because of our continual perusal of the carriers technology advancements, promotions and tariff updates.

Is ComHelpDesk a reseller?

No. ComHelpDesk does not resell, rebill, wholesale, aggregate, upcharge, mark up, or anything of the like. ComHelpDesk is not a carrier or network provider. Our ComHelpDesk is the portal through which our clients procure carriers' products.

What types of telcom products and services can businesses procure via the ComHelpDesk?

• Local dial tone
• Internet access
• Voice Over IP (VoIP)
• Data networking
• Long Distance & Toll Free
• Hosted solutions
• Conference calling
• Equipment

The ComHelpDesk is certified in the full product lines of the carriers we represent.

Does the ComHelpDesk compete with the carrier's internal sales team?

No.  We are a free addition to the carrier's internal sales team providing our clients with the comfort of knowing an "impartial observer" is looking out for their best interests.  

Will I be bombarded with telcom sales pitches from the ComHelpDesk?

No. We’re not in competition with our carrier partners. Carriers spend millions of dollars getting the word out about their latest offerings – and we acknowledge the carriers excellence in advertising. When the sales pitches arrive, our clients use the ComHelpDesk to clarify and advise in a familiar voice that our fellow business owners comprehend.

Why do carriers choose to partner with ComHelpDesk?

Since 1989, the ComHelpDesk has been providing telcom expertise, free of charge, to the business community and hence, our clients trust us and are very loyal.  The carriers want to be a part of our relationship with our clients.  Because the ComHelpDesk is an effective portal through which carriers interface with end-users, carriers have invested millions of dollars in systems and personnel to support our business partnership.

What is the typical profile of a ComHelpDesk client?

We represent the business sector, therefore, are unable to assist any residential or consumer clients.  While the majority of our clients fall into the mid-sized business segment, we are not limited by the size of our clients.  Our lengthy history in business equates to clients who range from the small 2-line mom & pop shops to multi-national enterprise companies.  Please contact us so we can discuss how ComHelpDesk will benefit your company.

Please contact us to discuss the benefits our ComHelpDesk will bring to your company

800.872.9333