B&M

Background

One of the leading variety retailers in the UK, B&M Retail has grown from its
first store opening in Blackpool in 1978 to over 750+ stores and employing
over 35,000+ colleagues.

An extensive estate such as this requires a substantial network of
communications. As an organisation grows, the more intricate a telecoms
estate becomes; new locations open, hardware is acquired, and suppliers
may change.

Therefore, following a long-standing and successful relationship with
Inspired, B&M was introduced to PCMG’s telecoms expertise to review their
estate via a forensic cost audit.

The challenge

Following a thorough line-by-line analysis of all rental, call and one-off
charges that appeared within the bills to validate these rates were correct,
the PCMG team could identify several issues to B&M.

These included redundant lines, the supplier not ceasing lines correctly,
along with opportunities for potential savings through improved rates.

Once these issues were confirmed, all findings of the forensic cost audit
were presented to B&M and a process to pursue recoveries from the supplier
was agreed. The B&M team was kept informed of the progress throughout
with regular calls and updates.

The solution

Some of the issues identified in the audit were very complex to progress.
Therefore, PCMG broke these down into manageable sections with a phased
approach.

This meant the team liaised with the supplier to provide all the required
information, along with calls to present the findings of the audit.
Consequently, the supplier agreed with the evidence and methodology
and progressed to credit and correction.

In a sizeable estate such as B&M’s, errors can remain concealed and
continuously accumulate significant additional costs. However, PCMG’s
forensic audit methodology – honed by decades of experience and combined
with the expertise and determination of the team – helped achieve
significant recoveries and savings for B&M.