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OK, excluding the wide array of jerky products, what’s the coolest thing about the 7-11? Easy: it’s ALWAYS open.
In all the hubbub over Telecom Expense Management, one subject that gets lost is the topic of openness. In other words, does your telecom management solution truly support the way YOU do business?
Asking a TEM software vendor to perform modifications is fine and, sure, sometimes a few tweaks are needed in order to ensure you can reach your strategic cost reduction goals and get the telecom expense analysis completed accurately and expeditiously. Still, there’s something to be said for understanding what your telecom expense management software was really engineered to do. Some specifics in this regard include:
- Does your telecom expense management system handle only carrier expenses or can it also house peripheral items like phone system leases, hardware specs, and other areas that should logically be grouped with telecom carrier expenses?
- Is your system equipped to handle your current account coding structure and expense allocation strategy?
- Is it flexible enough to adapt easily if your business environment changes?
- If you outsource telecom management functions, can your provider adapt to changing needs for telecom expense reporting and trending?
- Can your telecom software mimic the workflow your company uses to process telecom invoices and related data?
These are all key questions to consider in evaluating telecom expense management solutions and, again, openness is the key to the lockless door at the 7-11. -SAM
www.valicomcorp.com
 As if you didn't already know that a bunch of staff running around with Crackberries and iPhone envy were going to cost you a fortune. But now there is data to prove it. It's just another illustration that mobile management can be easy, but you have to focus on strategic cost reduction if you really want to minimize wireless expenses. A recent AOTMP report "The Importance of Effective Wireless Policy" found that 69 percent of enterprises have a formal wireless mobility policy in place. And that those firms with wireless mobility governance polices spent 40 percent less per user on mobile voice services.What does this mean for you? Probably that, without a wireless policy in place, the data-happy mobile staff in your organization are bleeding revenue and you don't have a band-aid. Valicom can help with that. We not only offer advice on cellular standardization to save money, but have a wireless policy template that you can use. Consider it a free band-aid. And if you're nice, we'll even give you a lollipop.
It's all about Mobile Management.
The days of handing a new employee the phone number to your wireless provider are long over and yet, I still see some really relaxed cellular expense management.
Standardizing the devices themselves and limiting choices of cellular phones and Blackberries will help reduce your spend and limit the dreaded "phony envy" amoung employees. And be sure to negotiate with your vendor prior to signing a contract; I love it when vendors offer a free cellular device or a Blackberry for a penny.
Standardize on one provider, if coverage allows. Obviously, the more devices under one contract, the deeper the discount. Granted, the debate over "who's the better provider" can really get heated amoung users, but unless there are big coverage issues due to real-estate expanse, try to stick with one provider.
Standardize features. Is there a business need for texting? A business need for email/internet? Establish a firm protocol and don't deviate.
Standardize equipment. This is a big one, folks. All the major providers offer headsets, BES licenses - you name it, they'll sell it to you. Do negotiate a discount on equipment, as well as the device themselves, but also be sure to shop around. I have a client that standardized on a specific headset, purchased with a 15% discount via the contract. The headset retailed for $49.99 (discount included.) I took the item number off the invoice and did some price shopping. I ended up finding the exact same headset for $14.95 PLUS free shipping. My client now purchases these headsets online for a big savings. Another client was purchasing their BES licenses through their carrier, thinking that because they also got a percentage off, they were getting a good deal. They weren't.
Nothing cutting-edge or earthshattering here - just a good reminder of telecom contract negotiation standards and strategic cost reduction methods.
- ST
ROI…or, if you prefer, Roi. If you have a business bone in your body, you know that ROI means “Return on Investment.” If you have any French blood in your body, you know that “Roi” means “king.” If you have both business bones and French blood in your body, you are one of the rarest forms of humanity who has ever walked the earth. Still, mon ami, enjoy my blog, where freaks of nature are not only welcome, but celebrated. 
French bashing aside, from a telecom cost management point of view, the homographic relationship between variations of “ROI” is perfect. This is because organizations looking to outsource telecom services and reduce telecom expenses, should consider ROI to be king when it comes to reasons to take action. Case in point: your organization spends, say, $5 million annually on telecom expenses. You perform an expense analysis and determine that there’s probably a way to reduce telecom expenses through better telecom vendor management, contract negotiation, and strategic cost reduction. The problem is that your staff has neither the time nor expertise to do this job properly. On this basis, you decide to give up and live with your suspiciously high telecom expenses. Before letting yourself become this example, crunch some numbers. If you’re spending $5 million and saved a meager 5% by outsourcing telecom expense management activities to a qualified firm, that’s $250,000 you’re saving on an annual basis. This is likely enough to cover the costs of outsourcing and, more importantly, is probably far less than you’ll actually get back. Good telecom expense management firms average between 15 and 30% savings if you let them give you the full treatment. Talk about ROI! In the end, the business case clearly supports taking action here. So make the call, crack open your Beaujolais Nouveau, and enjoy your four hour lunch. Bon Appétit! -SAM www.valicomcorp.com
Within the Telecom expense management (TEM) industry, there are many claims around cost telecom expense control, strategic cost reduction and wireless optimization; all leading to reduce telecom expenses via an effective TEM tool and proper attention to the management of this important business function. I recently read an article published by Avaya Communications (Carolmm), endorsing the need for seeking out a reputable TEM solutions provider. " My point is, you must get control of your telecom expenses in order to avoid a tremendous amount of waste. You might have people on staff that could help, but unless they are trained, and have the skills and tools, they will be fighting a monster in the dark. The best option is to have a professional Telecom Expense Management team be responsible for the task of wrestling your telecom system into submission." I am including the full article for your reference. They have laid out important questions you should be asking yourself for your organization. Your time is worth the quick read. Ask Yourself These Questions About Your Company's Telecom Expenses J. Jeffrey Poirior
Over the last decade, most organizations have reclassified their internal telecom expense management as an IT function and handed the responsibility to an already overburdened IT staff that is generally not knowledgeable about telecom services. In addition, a well-managed internal telecom expense function involves a cooperative effort between the IT/Telecom staff and the Accounts Payable staff. This also requires streamlined, well-defined and automated processes. With the complexities of telecom services including tens, hundreds or thousands of monthly invoices, circuits or devices, using spreadsheets and other manual processes for managing telecom expenses has added to the challenges of in-house telecom expense management for most businesses today. This underscores the need for the automation of TEM processes whether in-sourced or outsourced. According to Gartner, “at the heart of any TEM offering is an automated software platform used by the business or by an external service provider managing a company’s telecom invoices and assets.”
There are also many market pressures that are driving the need for TEM investments for enterprises today. According to Aberdeen, these include “financial regulations (SOX compliance), implementation of new technology, globalization, carrier consolidation and security concerns (wireless e-mail/PDAs with sensitive data that is not centrally managed).” In addition, the economic climate is driving the need for cost reduction in areas that were otherwise ignored in past years. Because of these reasons, it is difficult for corporations to get their arms around their telecom expenses. According to Aberdeen, “most firms manage less than 67% of their telecom expenses.”
Clearview, Valicom's telecom cost management software, is designed to address today's market pressures and client's needs for TEM automation. The system workflow is built to incorporate best practices and tools for greater operational efficiencies, telecom expense control and strategic cost reduction. Contact us today for a free Clearview demonstration!!
Too often, we have a tendancy to get caught up in the challenges and pressures of running the business, information technology (IT) and telecom, to the point where the organization can make things more complex than they might have to be regarding expenses.  How well is your company performing strategic cost reduction and expense analysis? Do you have total control of your telecom expenses?
The Free Dictionary by Farlex:
control [kənˈtrəʊl] vb -trols, -trolling, -trolled (tr) 1. to command, direct, or rule to control a country 2. to check, limit, curb, or regulate; restrain to control one's emotions to control a fire 3. to regulate or operate (a machine) 4. to verify (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment in which the variable being investigated is held constant or is compared with a standard 5. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Accounting & Book-keeping) a. to regulate (financial affairs) b. to examine and verify (financial accounts) 6. (Law) to restrict or regulate the authorized supply of (certain substances, such as drugs)
Sometimes seeing a reminder of a definition like this one for "Control" can help us to refocus on what is important and lead us to make sure that we do have telecom expense control. Does your organization have the proper controls and tools in place to manage this important function?
Valicom is ready and waiting to help you gain control and reduce your telecom expenses now! Through the depth of our services, we are uniquely positioned to provide you with the options and tools to manage and control you telecom expenses. - If you want to totally outsource your telecom expense management, Valicom has the experience and expertise to serve you
- If you are more comfortable outsourcing a portion of the telecom expense management activities; such as auditing, optimization, etc. Valicom has the experience and knowledge to serve you.
- If you feel you have control over this function and only need a tool to enable automation to streamline this important function and associated activites, then Valicom has the experience and knowledge and now the tool to serve you.
The choice is yours... but, make the choice to begin reducing telecom expenses now. The expense management solution you and your company selects will enable you to gain control. Decide to start or enhance your control today.
During my 25 years of experience in running IT and telecommunication in manufacturing, complex services, consulting and government, most of the companies when asked did not know how much they spent annually on telecommunication services. This includes wireless devices, wired devices, data and voice circuits and their total telecommunication related inventory. Knowing the answer to that question is the first step in achieving true bottom-line business cost reduction. When a company is not aware of their telecom spend or is not organized in a way to make this possible then strategic cost reduction is not easily achieved. The key to any process improvement or strategic telecom cost reduction initiative is to understand all the components that make up the telecom expense control. Then you focus on the components that consume the most resources or expenses and generate options that lead to a reduction in annual telecom expenses and improvement in telecom services. This should not be a difficult process with the right telecom expense management system. Does your company have an automated tool that provides expense analysis? Contact Valicom today for more information!
The current telecom expense management (TEM) competitive landscape is made up of TEM solution providers focused on the upper end of the market (companies with over 5,000 employees). According to “The Value of TEM to the Small to Mid-Size Business (SMB)” authored by AOTMP, “there is a common perception of greater effort and cost than financial gain” causing “small and medium size businesses to shy away from implementing a TEM program.” They further report that, “the keys to a productive and financially beneficial TEM program are establishing an inventory of telecom services, features, configurations, charges and service providers, and maintaining invoice accuracy.” This report also stated that, “technology assists in unifying a TEM program. SMB companies can simplify work flow, eliminate duplicate tasks and relate TEM information into usable views via technology.”
Interested in strategic cost reduction?
The research conducted by AOTMP also reported the following top telecom priorities for SMBs:
* Reduce telecom cost (62%)
* Learn/implement best practices (57%)
* Establish greater control over wireless costs (49%)
* Centralize telecom environment control (48%)
* Secure support for increasing staff to manage telecom (24%)
* Increase budget for more technology solutions (18%)
They further report “savings for SMBs with a TEM program with a focus on the TEM program savings activities are positioned to gain 22% greater savings as opposed to those without a TEM program.”
Today there is an answer to address the TEM needs, or Telecom Expense Control of SMBcompanies! Clearview-as-a-Service (CaaS), Valicom's telecom cost management software brings the power and control of large enterprise expense management to SMBs, who have historically lacked the internal resources and expense volume to realize benefits. Valicom’s CaaS offering is an easy-to-use, fully integrated, on-demand expense management system that provides real-time visibility into telecom expenses, pinpoints areas of corporate cost savings, while requiring minimal time and resources to implement. Designed to incorporate industry best practices and automated expense analysis functions, CaaS helps clients maximize company cost reduction, create greater operational efficiencies and reduce their dependence on suppliers, all while gaining the ability to reduce telecom expenses. Check us out at www.valicomcorp.comto learn more about CaaS and how your company can benefit from this innovative TEM solution!
Benchmarking is an extremely helpful process for companies as they prepare for a Telecom Request For Proposal (RFP). However, many organizations don’t take advantage of it?
Benchmarking is well worth the effort and cost to obtain assistance from a Telecom Expense Managerment or IT/Telecom Consultant to provide benchmarking on your existing telecommunications services. Not only can it provide you with a clear picture of where your services can be from a pricing standpoint, but also help you make RFP savings estimates by service type. This can further allow you to provide direction of where to apply the most effort during the RFP and telecom contract negotiations to maximize strategic cost reductions. It’s always good practice to have goals for how you would like your pricing and contracts to look when the RFP efforts are completed. Here are some tips on what to expect from the benchmarking of specific services. Local Services: These LEC services, including POTS, PBX Trunks, DID Trunks, Centrex, PRI T-1, Point to Point T-1, Analog circuit, etc., are all benchmark dependant on location. With the local POTS, Trunks, and PRI’s you’ll be able to have a nice range within each state of what the pricing would look like on the low and high ends. Keep in mind that some circuits such as Point to Point T-1’s often have too many variables to get that detailed, such as, the specific end point addresses, mileage between them, and distance from the LEC Central Office. Long Distance: The pricing here is more of a commodity, and typically will have a fairly close range of what can be expected based on your volume. It's especially important to have solid benchmarking on the International and Instate rates, as that is where the vendors often have the most variance in pricing. Data/Internet: This benchmarking effort is largely based on location and discounts provided. There’s typically a fairly large range here depending on service, size, and other specific variables. Wireless: Benchmarking of Wireless services such as, Cellular, Data Devices, Aircards, and Telemetry, is typically based off of a few metrics. Cost per minute, cost per KB/MB, and cost per device. Benchmarking here can be very accurate based on device quantity and discounting structure. I encourage you to take advantage of the valuable tool of benchmarking when you are planning you’re next RFP.
Let the experts at Valicom take your business cost reduction to the next level! Mike Krogman
Project Manager
For those companies that are currently utilizing Telecom Expense Management (TEM) services, or interested in TEM services, are you certain that the your TEM provider is focused on the areas of expertise that you need? Are they trying to be everything to everybody?  When a company is looking for a TEM vendor to have the expertise that leads to telecom expense control through best practices, years of experience and the best tools available, be sure that they are not trying to be everything to everybody. Have you heard the phrase, "the jack of all trades and the master of none? I read quite a bit of information posted from numerous sources. So many TEM, or pure expense management vendors talk about how they can provide Information Technology (IT) and telecom hardware, consulting services, VoIP convergence... oh and by the way we might be able to wash your car if it generates revenue. That approach is difficult to really know who your vendor is and how they might deal with you after the proposal is signed. When your TEM vendor is focused on your success and not distracted, or incented to lead you to a specific carrier or solution, because they will receive compensation on the back-end, then your company is in the best position for a successful engagement. Before you make the selection final, be sure to know who you are dealing with and that they have the focus on exceeding your expectations regarding telecommunication invoice audit and mobile management. Many companies have decided to utilize existing staff that have a great understanding of the company's business and industry and just need a tool to manage telecom expenses. Proper due diligence is the key in selecting who you partner with. Establishing your TEM vendor relationship will become the foundation for success and visible expense reduction. Keep your focus on strategic cost reduction!
Like any relationship worth having, is the relationship you have with your Telecom Expense Management (TEM) provider serving your company the way you expected, or producing the results you were told? If not, the time is NOW to take a look into your options.
Ideally, the TEM provider that your company utilizes performs periodic reviews with you to assess the quality and value of the service you are receiving. If not, why not? - Maybe the TEM provider is not interested in understanding how you perceive their service.
- Maybe the TEM provider is not interested in making any changes to exceed your expectations.
I have always believed that Feedback is a gift, positive or negative. How people respond to the feedback also differentiates the good from the not so good TEM providers. Valicom conducts quarterly Client Satisfaction surveys to ensure that we are listening to our clients and completely understand how we can respond the our client's changing business needs. As a result we have become one of the most flexible and responsive TEM providers available for you to choose from. Valicom understands what is important in responding to our client's needs and providing unprecedented services to enable strategic cost reduction and a Clearview into Telecom Cost Management. Hold your provider, regardless on the product or services they are providing accountable for the results that you believe you contracted for. If you are not receiving the results you expect, then the time to make a change is now!
Telecom Expense Management; a necessary requirement in the quest to achieve strategic cost reduction. Regardless of the size of the company, all businesses are always looking for ways to understand, validate, control and reduce business expenses. Companies that recognize the need for telecom expense control can choose between the following methods: - Manual Auditing - this approach usually involves an individual performing research and basic auditing tasks on thee own with a learn-as-you-go approach.
- Software Auditing - in-house employees use specialized software to optimize usage and billing. Historically this has included software provided by vendors that have an impact on the company's Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. Some software providers will also offer a Web interface to a hosted model.
- Enterprise - analytical tools automatically reconcile detailed billing, inventory and payment processing. These type of systems usually require significant care and feeding and due to the complexity require dedicated staff.
- Outsourced or Managed services - many options are available to companies to manage specific TEM life-cycle activities and cost allocation.
The size of the company can sometimes dictate the TEM tool selected. There are many software directories available on-line to observe the many options to consider. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the latest technology available to provide TEM tools and expense analysis without the high-cost of complex software that requires significant dedicated focus and support, significantly reduced cost and no impact on existing IT infrastructure. The iconic, most notable example of the SaaS technology is SalesForce.com. This tool has enabled companies in all industries to utilize powerful Sales tools to manage their sales and lead generation activities at a fraction of the price to develop their own, or to purchase costly software that needs to be modified to suite specific business. Valicom has announce the launch of their TEM software solution utilizing SaaS technology called Clearview-as-a-Service (CaaS). For more information and the opportunity to experience the automation and benefits of this tool, please contact us!
The traditional approach for some enterprise level companies has been to outsource Telecom Expense Management (TEM) to TEM providers. While companies search TEM expertise in Mobile Management and Telecom expense control, how much research do companies actually do to ensure that their potential partner has values that are aligned?  We believe that it is our obligation to share our expertise with clients in order to improve their financial and operational intelligence. Only by doing this can we help increase your financial and operational performance. This realization helped us create our Core Vision, which is something we are driven by every day and every step of the way: "Through a unique combination of ingenuity and enlightenment, we are transforming the TEM industry and creating a better-educated marketplace." In addition, we are driven by our Core Values on a daily basis. Employees at Valicom are rewarded quarterly with recognition from peers for displaying actions falling within our Core Values. These are valued we feel contribute significantly to the continued success of our clients.
Our Corporate Values
Memorable Experiences - Visibility, Winning, Life-Changing, Meaningful, Fulfilling, Dreams
Enduring Connections -Co-creation, Leadership, Collaboration & Teamwork, Long Term Relationship, Mutual Respect, Community
Authenticity - Originality, Integrity, Thought Leaders, Ethical, Diversity, Distinctive
Inspiration - Can-Do, Free Spirited, Freedom, Enlighten, Visionary, Open-Minded
Innovation - Out-of-the-Box, Strategic, Creative, Ingenuity, Transformation, Leading Edge
Passion - Enthusiasm and Fun, Confidence, Compassion, Excellence, Sense of Urgency, Ambition, Empowerment, Ownership |
If you live by your values and have alignment with partners, success will be inevitable! Obtaining telecom cost reduction through telecom cost management software are easily achievable when the right partner is selected. Valicom's clients continue to speak loudly by expressing their views via their quarterly Client Satisfaction surveys. Contact us today to begin your customized service and support!
I have been reading the AOTMP telecom expense management (TEM) discussions on LinkedIn and I find it astounding that, after interviewing hundreds of enterprises, AOTMP found that corporations with over $1B in annual revenue experienced an average implementation time for wireless mobility management (WMM)/TEM technology of 10.5 months and companies with less than $50M in annual revenues experienced an average conversion time of 8 months. I'm assuming that enterprises between $50M and $1B in revenues experienced an average implementation time somewhere between the 8 and 10.5 month range.  From this data, I wonder what the level of support or assistance from the TEM/WMM suppliers has been in the implementation phase for the transition to take this long! Granted, many client environment's are complex and the process of gathering invoices, cost allocation codes, customer service records (CSRs), contracts etc. can be a daunting task; however, with the support and project management of an experienced TEM/WMM supplier team, the transition should take no more than 3 - 4 months even for companies with over $1B in revenues. Valicom has been implementing TEM/WMM solutions for the past 20 years and the average time it has taken for our most complex business process outsourcing solution for companies with over $1B in revenues is 3 months. With our Clearview-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution, implementation can occur in as little as one month depending on client size and the volume of invoices, circuits and wireless devices they may have. Time is money and the focus is to properly manage the function and reduce business costs. With many clients, one of the main benefits of a telecom expense management solution is company cost savings through reduced telecom expenses. Operational efficiencies can also be achieved by utilizing best practices and automated telecom cost management software, once fully implemented. With conversion times as high as 10.5 months, I can only imagine that the return on investment (ROI) is quite long when using other TEM/WMM suppliers based on the AOTMP research statistics. Over the past 20 years, Valicom has achieved an average telecom cost savings track record of 30.4% savings on our client's telecom expenses and in most cases a return on investment is realized in the first year of the engagement. With our Clearview-as-a-Service telecom cost management software at a lower price point than business process outsourced services, and an almost immediate time to savings, the return on investment is generally much quicker. If you would like to experience the quick implementation first-hand, try our free 30 day CaaS trial. I guarantee you will be impressed! Valicom is the key to achieve true strategic cost reduction. Contact us today!
Quick: what was the most oddly compelling sport in the recent winter Olympics? Those of you who answered Ice Dancing Compulsories, please stop reading and report immediately to the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles for your day of fun and adventure. No, the sport I am looking for here is curling. You know, the ice sport that you compared to shuffleboard until the light bulb finally came on.
While I am among only 20,000 active curlers in the United States, literally millions became hooked on the sport while watching on TV. This phenomenon was certainly not due to the disappointing performance of our U.S. teams. Instead, I believe it can be attributed to the strategic nature of curling. While curling teams compete to eventually position their rocks near the center of the target area, actually accomplishing this goal is difficult and requires a very sound strategic plan. By now you know that it wouldn’t be my blog without an abstract telecom expense management analogy and you’ll be either delighted or disgusted to know that this occasion is no different. Your Honor, should it please the court, I submit that the strategic thinking involved telecom contract negotiation is very comparable to the strategy required to win a game of curling (pause here to allow for the obligatory court room gasp).  The point here is that to impact maximum cost savings for your business and reduce telecom expenses across the board, there needs to be a systematic approach to telecom contract negotiation. Certain activities need to take place and those activities need to happen in the proper sequence. So let’s say you’ve got some contracts that are up for renewal. Here’s a look at a solid plan that will effect significant reduction of telecom expenses:
- Get an accurate inventory of your environment. What circuits, lines, plans, etc do you currently have in your shop? Calculate voice and data capacity based on this result.
- Determine your long term technology strategy. Are you looking to move to Voice-Over-IP? Are you going to leverage MPLS to create a WAN for your organization? These types of questions will impact your telecom contract negotiation strategy.
- Analyze your usage. Do this both in terms of “average” and “peak” usage. Compare the results to the findings in step #1 to see if you are currently under or over provisioned.
- Complete a telecom audit of your environment to ensure that you’re currently paying what you should be paying. If you are paying for unused or erroneous services, this is likely to continue to be the case with any new contract you sign.
- Document required services. What do you really need? This will often be different than what you currently have. The results of all of the above steps will play into this.
- Perform market benchmarking study to figure out what you should be paying. You’ll want to understand the best pricing carriers can offer in your area for the services you are attempting to procure. Telecom Expense Management companies can be of assistance here by bringing this type of benchmarking data to bear.
- Develop a contract strategy. What terms and conditions are important to you? Consider not only pricing but exit clauses and flexibility based on your anticipated business needs.
- Put the contract out for bid. Create a competitive situation with multiple vendors whether or not you actually would consider changing. Create a comprehensive Request For Proposal (RFP) with an effective decision matrix that will enable a direct comparison between vendor proposals that are based on the requirements of your business.
- Evaluate the results and sign the new contracts.
When performing these tasks, take care to do these things the right way. This may mean getting help from someone specializing in telecom audit and telecom expense management. Keep in mind that the contracts you sign will be ones you’ll live with for three years or more. A little bit of strategy truly can make a difference of Olympic proportions. Good curling. www.valicomcorp.com -SAM
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