Info Directions Announces Access Point as Customer

Info Directions (Booth 309), a developer of net-centric billing, rating, order management, workflow and selling solutions for the telecom industry, has revealed that Cary, N.C.-based service provider Access Point Inc. (Booth 115) is a customer for its CostGuard.NET solution to manage OSS/BSS functions.

Access Point, a privately-held CLEC, offers integrated communications services to small and medium-sized businesses via a range of independent agent programs. The company’s product portfolio includes local service in most East Coast states, long distance, integrated access T1s, "TelePoint," "WebPoint" and "ViewPoint" phone, Web and video conferencing, and DSL.

Replacing a combination of legacy-based and internal systems, Access Point selected Info Directions — a sponsor at the Channel Partners Expo — and its CostGuard.NET solution because of the system’s flexibility and comprehensive OSS/BSS capabilities, it says. Access Point needed CostGuard.NET’s flexible product catalog and ability to support convergent technologies to respond to changes in the market, creating and deploying new product bundles quickly.

Access Point also is using the system to automate repetitive processes, streamline new order entry and gain other efficiencies in its back office. Access Point is using .NET’s open architecture as a way to facilitate the exchange of data and critical information throughout the operations and sales channels, empowering users with a new set of tools.

"CostGuard.NET had an immediate impact on our bottom line," says Gregory Taylor, director of OSS at Access Point. "We saw about a 20 percent reduction in our data processing, cycle time production and order fulfillment times as soon as we began running CostGuard.NET. That adds up to earlier revenue recognition, increased cash flow and enhanced customer service."