Program Highlights

Energy Management

In today’s competitive environment, businesses are striving to avoid overpricing, oversights and overcharges in energy management. However, the area that generates the most confusion – and, consequently, the most billing errors – is the application of rates established by the local Public Service Commission. Numerous tariffs regulate each service, and, in essence, the correct applications of an existing rate for a specific situation and/or for a particular geographical location are prime factors causing the inaccuracy of a vendor's bill.

In addition to verifying rates for electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, The Balkcom Group will:

• Take a physical survey of the grounds to determine the connected load and its diversity
• Compare the actual demand to the billing demand
• Compute the ratio of demand to the connected load
• Time the meters to check for accuracy
• Determine the method of distribution and its efficiency as well as check the appropriate phase and voltage
• Compare the billing records with the results of our survey

Solid Waste Disposal

Solid waste disposal fees are some of the fastest growing expenses for many businesses. Until now, businesses had to rely on their solid waste disposal companies to make recommendations concerning levels of service and hauling costs. The Balkcom Group recognizes this potential conflict of interest and offers businesses the opportunity to choose customized services that bring cost savings and desired results for years to come.

Through our waste-disposal auditing program, we (Balkcom Group) provide the following solutions:

• Reduce your solid waste bill by rate changes, service level changes and service type changes, with our clients saving an average of 30%
• Lower your costs without changing vendors, in the majority of cases
• Review and proactively manage your accounts for the term of the service agreement to ensure that no more overcharges occur
• Secure much more favorable contracts with your solid waste vendor

Telecommunications

Telecommunications is one of the most confusing areas in today's business environment. With constantly changing rates and new vendors entering the marketplace daily, it’s almost impossible for businesses to stay current.

Perhaps the most outrageous aspect of telecommunications billing is that most local telephone companies provide no description of the services they provide to the business client. In most cases, the words "local service" describe hundreds, if not thousands, of line items of billing – with no details or documentation.

To amend these practices, our consultants will audit your local, long-distance and cellular phone bills to ensure their accuracy. If there are errors, not only will you receive a refund, your future bills will be lower. Also, because of the number of clients we represent, we are usually able to negotiate lower rates for your company with your long-distance and cellular providers.

Additionally, if you have payphones on site, we can turn that into a profit center. We broker carrier services for public payphones as well as negotiate the best deal for those who prefer private payphones.

Balkcom Group analyzes long-distance bills and calling patterns:

• IntraLATA
• 800 Service
• Intrastate
• International
• Interstate
• Calling cards
• Cellular package and rate plans
• Local area calling patterns
• Roaming patterns.

Balkcom determines errors in billing (past or present) and help obtain refunds and/or credits for:

• Roaming errors
• Double billing
• Charges for "free" time
• Overlapping calls
• Incorrect rate charges
• Incorrect cellular package applied
• Dropped calls (3-7% of an average cellular bill)

All utilities consulting services provided by The Balkcom Group, LLC. MemberBenefits.com, a division of BPC Financial, provides client access to service provided by The Balkcom Group, LLC. BPC Financial and The Balkcom Group, LLC are not affiliated.