Who pays us, and why it does not decide the answer.

The disclosure

On eligible communications, connectivity, security, and IoT solutions, SpeakLoop Consulting, a brand of SpeakLoop AI LLC, may be paid a commission or referral fee by the provider you select, or by a channel partner that represents them.

This is normal in the technology sourcing market and it is how a large part of the industry funds itself. It can reduce or remove your direct advisory cost. It is also the single thing most likely to compromise independent advice, which is why it is written down here rather than mentioned in passing.

What it does not change

Compensation does not decide the recommendation. It does not determine which providers enter your evaluation, and it does not change what we tell you about the ones that do.

If the best answer for your business is a provider that pays us nothing, or keeping the platform you already have, that is the recommendation you get. That outcome is a normal result of the process, not an exception to it.

The rules we work to

These govern every engagement, whoever is paying.

• Your requirements are documented before any provider is recommended.
• At least two credible options are compared whenever the market and your timeline allow.
• Material compensation and any conflict of interest are disclosed to you.
• No provider is described as best without the decision criteria being stated.
• Exclusions and tradeoffs are shown, not only advantages.
• You see the scorecard and the reasoning behind the recommendation.
• Keeping your current provider stays on the table as a legitimate outcome.

How engagements are paid for

Provider compensation is one of four models, and which applies is agreed with you in writing before work starts.

Fixed-fee advisory

You pay a defined fee for a defined piece of work, such as a diagnostic, a roadmap, a contract review, or a selection process.

Ongoing advisory

A retainer covering roadmap governance, renewal management, invoice review, escalation, and optimization.

Provider-funded sourcing

The provider you select compensates SpeakLoop. This is the model this disclosure exists for.

Fixed-scope supporting work

Repeatable deliverables quoted at a fixed price in the proposal.

Asking about a specific engagement

You are entitled to ask, at any point, whether SpeakLoop would be compensated on a particular recommendation and by whom. You will get a straight answer, before you decide rather than after.

If that answer would ever change your view of the advice, ask early. It is a reasonable question and it does not cause offence.

What we do not claim

SpeakLoop does not describe itself as certified, authorized, preferred, or a strategic partner of any provider unless a written agreement supports that specific wording.

Provider availability, product fit, commercial terms, and geographic coverage change over time and are verified for each engagement rather than assumed.