Telarus
{{short description|American sales agency}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Telarus, LLC.
| logo = 200px
| caption =
| type = Private
| fate =
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| foundation = {{Start date|2002|05|12}}
| defunct =
| location_city = Sandy, Utah
| location_country = United States
| location =
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| key_people = Adam V. Edwards
(co-Founder, CEO)
Patrick K. Oborn
(co-Founder)
Richard A. Murray
(co-Owner, COO)
Dan Pirigyi
(SVP of Strategic Partnerships)
| industry = Commercial telecommunications
| products = Network, cloud, unified communications, cybersecurity, contact center services, GeoQuote telecommunications service analysis software
| services = Technology Solutions Brokerage of commercial telecom and cloud-based products
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| num_employees = 386
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| homepage = {{URL|http://www.telarus.com}}
| footnotes =
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}}
Telarus is an American-based privately held technology services distributor that holds contracts with commercial network, cloud, CX, and cybersecurity providers with its operations in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. {{cite web|title=Customer-centricity and selective capillarity: A multichannel strategy for telecom operators|url=http://www.strategyand.pwc.com/global/home/what-we-think/reports-white-papers/article-display/customer-centricity-selective-capillarity|publisher=Strategyand.pwc.com|date=28 March 2013|accessdate=25 July 2014}}
History
Telarus was founded in June 2002{{cite web|last=Bullock|first=Jeffery W|title=Delaware Division of Corporations Database|url=https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/GINameSearch.jsp|work=Corporations Database|publisher=Delaware Secretary of State|accessdate=12 June 2002|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106214416/https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/GINameSearch.jsp|archivedate=6 January 2010}} in Huntington Beach, California by Adam Edwards and Patrick Oborn. The focus of the company was to offer improved service to commercial telecommunications clients.
Operating originally as a telecommunications broker, Telarus generated leads using web and search engine marketing. They followed up on each lead, contacted the T1 carrier for pricing, and compiled each quote by hand.{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Chris|title=Innovation Calling|url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/businessmedia/mgt_2010summer/index.php#/44|accessdate=15 July 2010|newspaper=Management Today|date=15 July 2010}}
In 2003, Oborn designed the initial concept for what was to be called GeoQuote,{{cite news|last=Sievers|first=Cara|title=Telarus Discusses Implications of GeoQuote Patent|url=http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/articles/2009/08/telarus-discusses-implications-of-geoquote-patent.aspx|accessdate=27 August 2009|newspaper=Channel Partners|date=27 August 2009}} described as a software that allows a user to access multiple carrier price options with a single search. Oborn partnered with Aaron Lieberman to write the code that could compute pricing based upon loop distance (the distance from the customer's central office to the carrier point of presence) or through direct access to a carrier pricing Application Programming Interface (API).{{cite web|last=Oborn|first=Patrick|title=Telarus Releases the First Real Time Carrier Quote Tool|url=http://www.telarus.com/news/telarus-releases-the-first-real-time-carrier-quote-tool.html|work=Press Release|publisher=Telarus, Inc|accessdate=30 April 2003}}
The prototype of GeoQuote was completed in August 2003.{{cite news|last=Berge|first=Kaprelian|title=Telarus receives patent on GeoQuote|url=http://channelvisionmag.com/News/06.03.10_telarus.htm|accessdate=3 June 2010|newspaper=Channel Vision Magazine|date=3 June 2010}} The software was embedded in Telarus' research tool, named ShopforT1.com.{{cite web|last=Oborn|first=Patrick|title=ShopforT1.com Completes Patent Application of GeoQuote|url=http://shopfort1.com/patent.cfm|work=Telecom News Updates|accessdate=10 November 2003}}
In November 2003, Telarus, Inc. filed for a United States provisional patent to protect the idea and coding architecture behind the GeoQuote concept.
On September 30, 2004, Telarus filed the non-provisional patent application, which was accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 24, 2009. GeoQuote is now protected by US Patent Number(s) 7,496,184{{cite web|last=Tieu|first=Binh K|title=System and method to determine and deliver quotes for distance-sensitive communication links from multiple service providers|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,496,184.PN.&OS=PN/7,496,184&RS=PN/7,496,184|work=USPTO Patent Database|accessdate=24 February 2009}} and 7,916,844. {{cite web|last=Lieberman|first=Aaron Jay|title=System and method to determine and deliver quotes for distance-sensitive communication links from multiple service providers|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=telarus&OS=telarus&RS=telarus|work=USPTO Patent Database|accessdate=30 March 2011}}
In 2008, the company announced that it was adding the world's first fiber route mapping capabilities to GeoQuote.{{cite news|last=Buckley|first=Sean|title=Telarus builds first multi-carrier fiber route mapping tool|url=http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/telarus-bows-first-multi-carrier-fiber-route-mapping-tool/2008-05-27?cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FT0|accessdate=27 May 2008|newspaper=Fierce Telecom|date=27 May 2008}}
In May 2022, Telarus launched SolutionVue, a software that offers detailed consulting advice through a series of discovery questions.
Acquisition History
VXSuite - In 2015, Telarus acquired the VXSuite assets of LVM, Inc., and begun offering free monitoring on all carrier circuits sold through their supplier agreements. Telarus also incorporated several members of the VXSuite management team into its own.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Steve|title=Telarus to Acquire LVM Assets, Including VXSuite Diagnostic Tool|url=http://master-agent.tmcnet.com/articles/410188-telarus-acquire-lvm-assets-including-vxsuite-diagnostic-tool.htm|accessdate=30 September 2015|publisher=Technology Marketing Corporation|date=17 September 2015}}
CarrierSales - In 2017, Telarus acquired rival TSD, CarrierSales, in an all-stock transaction. The deal increased both the staff and revenue of Telarus by 50%, making it the largest privately held Technology Solutions Brokerage in the United States.{{cite news|last1=Narcisi|first1=Gina|title=Consolidation Strikes Again As Telarus Acquires CarrierSales To Boost Cloud, Mobility Sales|url=https://www.crn.com/news/networking/300094486/crn-exclusive-consolidation-strikes-again-as-telarus-acquires-carriersales-to-boost-cloud-mobility-sales.htm|accessdate=17 October 2017|issue=October 2017|publisher=CRN|date=17 October 2017}} Richard Murray, president of CarrierSales, was appointed COO of the combined Telarus.{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=James|title=Major Master M&A: Telarus Acquiring CarrierSales|url=https://www.channelpartnersonline.com/2017/10/30/major-mastor-agent-ma-telarus-acquiring-carriersales/|website=Channel Partners Online|publisher=Virgo Publishing|accessdate=30 October 2017|date=2017-10-30}}
Technology Consulting Group (TCG) - On June 21, 2022, Telarus announced the acquisition of Telecom Consulting Group (TCG), a rival TSD headquartered in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The deal brought 85 new employees to Telarus, raising the total number of staff to 400, making Telarus the largest TSB both by employee size and new sales revenue. Dan Pirigyi, former president of TCG, was appointed as SVP of Strategic Partnerships of Telarus upon completion of the transaction.{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=James|title=Consolidation Continues: Telarus Buys TCG in Major Distribution Team-Up|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/distribution-consolidation-continues-telarus-buys-tcg/|website=Channel Futures|publisher=Informa Tech|accessdate=22 June 2022|date=2022-06-22}}
Teladvocate - On September 14, 2022, Telarus announced the acquisition of Teladvocate, a regional TSD headquartered in Tampa, FL. {{cite web|last1=Dixon|first1=Chad |title=Telarus Announces Acquisition of Tampa-Based Teladvocate|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/telarus-acquires-regional-tsd-americomm/|website=Telarus Press Room|publisher=Telarus|accessdate=14 September 2022|date=2022-09-14}}
Americomm - On November 16, 2023, Telarus announced the acquisition of Americomm, a regional TSD headquartered in Nashville, TN. {{cite web|last1=Galbraith|first1=Craig |title=Telarus Acquires Regional TSD Americomm|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/telarus-acquires-regional-tsd-americomm/|website=Channel Futures|publisher=Informa Tech|accessdate=16 November 2023|date=2023-11-16}}
Value Added Services
Customer Success Management - In 2014 Telarus launched its Customer Base Management program. Under the partner's brand, Telarus staff communicate directly with customers to help them resolve billing issues, make changes to their account, and to place orders for new services.{{cite web|last=Kapos|first=Trish|title=Telarus Creates Engineering and Base Management Departments, Adds Three New VPs to Leadership Team|url=http://www.telarus.com/news/telarus-creates-engineering-and-base-management-departments,-adds-three-new-vps-to-leadership-team.html|publisher=Telecom Channel Updates|accessdate=9 September 2014}}
Sales Engineering - In 2018 Telarus began hiring technicians known as 'Sales Engineers' to provide technical guidance, design, and vendor selection advice. Josh Lupresto was named SVP of Sales Engineering in 2018, and leads the team of Solution Architects, Sales Engineering, and Inside Engineers.{{cite web|last1=Goines|first1=Sean|title=Telarus Hires Josh Haselhorst as Advanced Networking Sales Engineer|url=https://www.telarus.com/resources/news/telarus-hires-josh-haselhorst-as-advanced-networking-sales-engineer/|website=Telarus Press Release|publisher=Telarus Marketing|accessdate=6 November 2018|date=2018-11-06}}
Financial Services - In 2019 Telarus launched the Telarus Capital Program, a financial services offering in which sales partners can borrow money or sell their recurring revenue to Telarus in exchange for a lump sum. The loan program is called "AnticiPAY" and the program in which agents sell a slice of their commissions to Telarus is called "FlexPAY".{{cite web|last1=Goines|first1=Sean|title=Telarus Unveils AnticiPAY|url=https://www.telarus.com/resources/news/telarus-unveils-anticipay/|website=Telarus Press Release|publisher=Telarus Marketing Department|accessdate=10 April 2019|date=2019-04-10}}
Project Management - In 2020 Telarus launched its Project Management-as-a-Service program. By assuming central control of complex service delivery, the Telarus team hopes to ensure timely and correct installation of technology infrastructure services purchased through its contracts.{{cite web|last1=Goines|first1=Sean|title=Telarus Project Management - Simplifying Complex Processes|url=https://www.telarus.com/project-management/|website=Telarus Press Release|publisher=Telarus Marketing Department|accessdate=10 April 2020|date=2020-04-10}}
Outside Investment
Columbia Capital - On December 1, 2020, Telarus announced that it had partnered with Columbia Capital, a private equity firm specializing in internet infrastructure, enterprise IT, and mobility solution investments. The deal gives Columbia Capital a minority stake in the company and represents the first time the three main owners (Edwards, Oborn, and Murray) have sold stock to an outside firm. The company plans to use their new access to capital to grow both organically and inorganically.{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelpartnersonline.com/2020/12/01/telarus-takes-first-investment-money-to-fuel-growth/|title=Telarus Takes First Investment Money to Fuel Growth|last=Gately|first=Edward|date=2020-12-01|website=Channel Partners Online|access-date=2020-12-02}}
International expansion
Australia - In August 2018 Telarus launched its brand in Australia under the name "Tradewinds Technology Brokerage". Tradewinds is run by Sydney native, Tony Heywood.{{cite web|last1=Gately|first1=Edward|title=Telarus Debuts New Brand Down Under|url=https://www.channelpartnersonline.com/2018/08/22/telarus-debuts-new-brand-down-under/|website=Channel Partners Online|publisher=Virgo Publishing|accessdate=22 August 2018|date=2018-08-22}}
Canada - In July 2019 Telarus announced it had expanded into Canada with Brian Ochab as its Regional Vice President.{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=James|title=Telarus Moves Into Canada|url=https://www.channelpartnersonline.com/2019/07/02/telarus-moves-into-canada-hires-level-3-earthlink-alum-for-midwest/|website=Channel Partners Online|publisher=Virgo Publishing|accessdate=2 July 2019|date=2019-07-02}} In January 2022, Telarus hired Matt Heron to take over the role of RVP of Canada, after working as a channel manager for six years at Calgary-based Shaw Communications.{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=James|title=Telarus Taps New Canada Leader as Ochab Moves to New Employer|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/telarus-taps-new-canada-leader-as-ochab-moves-to-new-employer/|website=Channel Futures|publisher=Informa Tech|accessdate=3 January 2022|date=2022-01-03}}
Europe - In October 2019, Telarus expanded into the U.K. with the hire of Greg McVey as its Regional Vice President. The official launch of the U.K., and consequently Europe, took place on 18 April 2020.{{cite web|last1=Goines|first1=Sean|title=TELARUS HEADS TO THE U.K. – HIRES GREG MCVEY TO LEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN GREAT BRITAIN|url=https://www.telarus.com/resources/articles/telarus-heads-to-the-u-k-hires-greg-mcvey-to-lead-business-development-efforts-in-great-britain/|website=Telarus Corporate News|publisher=Telarus Publishing|accessdate=12 November 2019|date=2018-11-12}} In March 2021, Telarus tapped London-native Paul Harris with the role of RVP of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). Harris came to Telarus after 2 years at CDW UK, a provider of technology products and services for business, government and education entities in Europe.{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=James|title=Telarus Eyes EMEA, IoT, Hires CDW, Comcast Business Alums|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/telarus-eyes-emea-iot-hires-cdw-comcast-business-alums/|website=Telarus Corporate News|publisher=Telarus Publishing|accessdate=8 March 2021|date=2021-03-08}}