mplexity of telecommunications bills increases, organizations are looking for outside help to man- age them. This breed of company is still developing and may offer services such as monthly review and validation of bills, tracking of expenses and correction of billing problems. Some larger Bill Management Companies also pay all of your telecom- munications suppliers and invoice you with a single master bill. The Telecom Handbook is 295 UNDERSTANDING THE INDUSTRY Telecommunications Outsourcers Although the concept has been around a long time, the idea of outsourcing a variety of telecommunications management and maintenance functions is still alive and well, although the qual- ity of telecommunications outsourcing has historically left much to be desired. The following descriptions provide you with some ideas of the types of outsourcing available: Complete Outsourcer. If you completely outsource your organization's telephone system and services, this means that you have delegated all responsibility to an outside firm in- cluding the repair and maintenance of your PBX, provision of local and long distance service, reviewing and payment of telephone bills and a variety of other services that should be carefully spelled out in your contract. The outsourcer is paid a monthly fee and also makes money reselling you equip- ment and local and long distance service. This type of a relationship may seem like "the fox minding the hen house," since the organization doing the billing is also responsible for approving the bills. Nevertheless, it is working well for a number or large organizations. Telecommunications Management Outsourcer. This type of outsourcing manages your telephone system and service pro- viders, but the company does not sell you equipment, local or long distance service as a Complete Outsourcer may. The Telecom Management Outsourcer is the equivalent of hav- ing an in-house telecommunications department, but an outside firm staffs it. Out-tasker. An out-tasker, either a firm or an individual, takes the com