Q & A on Asentinel's A to Z Telecom Patent

What does U.S. Patent No. 7,340,422 cover?
Asentinel's first patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,340,422), entitled Systems and Methods for Processing and Managing Telecommunications Invoices , has 56 claims covering a broad range of Telecom Expense Management (TEM) functionality, including what we consider to be core requirements of any TEM solution. Learn More

What is the background leading up to the pursuit of the patent?
For years, the TEM industry was known for companies hiring audit firms to perform manual audits every few years to find errors in customer's telecom expenses. Patent inventor Jason Fisher knew that the way to solve the problem of telecom expense management was with technology and automated processes. With the support of a large bank processing more than $37 million a year in telecom expenses, Jason worked to develop the methods and system to solve the unique challenges of managing and auditing different vendors, billing platforms, tariffs, and contracts to ensure that every component of the bills was properly allocated and audited without any human intervention. The final solution was a software application placed at the customer's location. For the first time, an enterprise could have the comfort of knowing that as they processed their telecom invoices, those invoices were being automatically allocated and each component was being audited to its most granular level.

Why did Asentinel pursue this patent, and how do they plan to use it?
Since 2002, when Asentinel first introduced its Telecom Expense Management (TEM) software, the TEM industry has grown into a highly competitive and ever-changing industry. Sensing the growth ahead, Asentinel filed for its comprehensive software patent in 2003 to protect its intellectual property. Now, the patent differentiates Asentinel from competitors and positions Asentinel as the recognized leader in the TEM industry. The patent not only protects Asentinel's intellectual property, but also provides Asentinel with the freedom to operate in the multi-billion dollar TEM industry. If and when there are mergers in the industry, the patent provides Asentinel with a competitive edge and provides an official stamp of credibility of which its customers can be proud.

What does the patent mean for me, the end user?
Asentinel's patent means you are working with the recognized leader in the Telecom Expense Management (TEM) industry. You will benefit from Asentinel's proven expertise in TEM and its constant innovations will continue to make your job easier. Asentinel 6.0's ability to process, audit and generate reports on your company's telecom bills in real-time will only improve as Asentinel continues to innovate and define the leading edge in the industry. You can feel confident knowing you are protected because you chose to work with a patented TEM solution.

What does the patent mean for the Telecom Expense Management Industry?
Since its start in 2002 with the introduction of Asentinel's Telecom Expense Management (TEM) software, the TEM industry has grown rapidly. Asentinel's patent protects its intellectual property, and highlights Asentinel as a founder of the industry. The patent officially recognizes the innovation in the solution, and highlights its importance in today's marketplace.

Will the patent change the way I use Asentinel 6.0, or change the way Asentinel 6.0 handles my TEM?
No. The patent reinforces that you are working with the industry's leading TEM software company. Features such as TouchFree TEM™, ContractControl™ and Optical Invoice Recognition (OIR™) will continue to alleviate your company's paper crunch and encompass the entire lifecycle of wireless, wireline, data and equipment assets, invoices, orders and the associated Business Intelligence to reduce your company's costs.

I have read other company's TEM patent claims. What makes Asentinel different?
The Asentinel Patent for Telecom Expense Management is the only comprehensive A to Z patent in the industry. A careful read through other company's patents shows them to be specific to narrow components of that company's TEM processes. The Asentinel patent assures us of a freedom to operate across the entire range of TEM services we offer, not just a single element.

If you would like to learn more about Asentinel's patent, or would like a demonstration of Asentinel 5.0, please contact Asentinel at +1.901.752.6200 or toll-free at 866.337.6200, or by email at info@asentinel.com.