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 In part four of managing your telecom costs, we talk about the Deadbeat. Not necessarily a person, but an asset. If you have phones/lines/pagers/devices that aren't being used, or are being used a whole lot less than you are paying for, then you have a problem. This is something else your telecom invoice auditing and telecom inventory management can tell you. Do you have too many phones? Too many wireless minutes? Lines that don't go anywhere? Each one you can identify is a place to SAVE on your telecom costs. Shut them off, adjust them, merge them, whatever you need to reduce business expenses. And note that a good telecom expense management software tool can make this a whole lot easier, as it has some visibility tools that take the work off your eyeballs. Next up in managing telecom costs? A good wireless policy. In other words, learning to say "NO".
There are several models used by mid-market companies for telecom expense management. These models include manual processes performed internally, outsourced services, homegrown applications, on-demand software-as-a-solution (SaaS) solutions and on-premise vendor solutions.  Manual processing includes the use of spreadsheets and other labor-intensive processes to manage telecom expenses. Outsourced services involve a 3rd party that performs all or part of the end-to-end processing of telecom bills including processing and paying the invoices, auditing and analysis for savings opportunities, management of assets such as lines, circuits and devices, and providing deliverables and reports for informational purposes. Homegrown applications include the development of an internal database to assist organizations in managing their expenses. SaaS involves providing self-serve, web-based software and back-office services that enable corporate business analysts to perform telecom expense management in-house, implementing savings opportunities themselves. On-premise solutions involve licensed software that is loaded on a server at the customer’s premises for the purposes of managing telecom costs. So, what are the common approaches to managing telecom expenses today? To find out more, check out this link to my earlier blog on this topic entitled "Mid-Market Companies' Current Approach to Managing Telecom Expenses" or download Valicom's whitepaper entitled "Can TEM SaaS Solutions Lower Telecom Expense For Mid-Market Companies?" or register to stream a webinar sponsored by Valicom about this topic.
With the explosive growth of cloud computing, as we've discussed before in Cloud computing to grow at 5 times rate of traditional IT, there is also growing concern about the business practices of vendors offering such services.
Gartner recently released a list of what they feel are the "Seven Rights and Responsibilities for Cloud Computing Services". Items that cloud computing customers and vendors should agree upon. In my eye, they are sound, smart guidelines. Having worked with the financial industry for years, and being a stickler for security and good business continuity practices myself, I just see common sense here.
But it's a good list to put to any telecom expense management provider you may be working with. If your main focus is saving money through telecom expense analysis and tasks like mobile managment, you shouldn't have to spend time worrying about the security of your telecom asset and contract data. You want to ensure the solution you choose is housed in a tightly controlled, secure environment, and that you maintain ownership of your own data. Valicom understands all this, and addresses it in our security policies.
But if you want to run this by any other vendors you use, here is the list.
- The right to retain ownership, use and control one's own data
- The right to service-level agreements that address liabilities, remediation and business outcomes
- The right to notification and choice about changes that affect the service consumers' business processes
- The right to understand the technical limitations or requirements of the service up front
- The right to understand the legal requirements of jurisdictions in which the provider operates
- The right to know what security processes the provider follows
- The responsibility to understand and adhere to software license requirements
To read the full article, with details on the Seven Rights, visit the Gartner Newsroom.
Kick the Tires, Honk the Horn, won't cost you a thing....
 We know that you'd never buy a car without checking it out, looking under the hood and taking a test drive. And while Valicom, with our twenty year history and record client satisfaction scores, isn't exactly "Honest Al" over at the local car lot, we'd still like to offer you the same courtesy. In February, we led the TEM industry by releasing our third-generation telecom audit platform Clearview as a Software-as-a-Solution (Saas), giving small to mid-sized businesses a new tool to reduce telecom expenses. It can also be used by telecom expense reduction analysts or telecom consultants to help them deliver results. Now we've made it even easier to try out Clearview by launching a short online demo, so you can see just what you're missing. And Clearview is designed to do just that - give you a " clear view" of your telecom spend. Delivered securely online, it allows you to review your telecom invoices for errors, see wireless expenses - like mobiles phones and data plans, organize all your telecom assets in one place, track changes, additions or deletions, and in general make order from chaos. And in doing so, you'll save TIME and MONEY, which is really the whole point. So if you'd like to take a test drive of Clearview, just head on over to our website and we'll give you the keys....
Can SaaS Solutions Lower Your Telecom, Network, and Mobility Expenses? Join Valicom and Aberdeen for this free webinar to find out!  STREAM ONLINE TODAY Over the past year, Aberdeen Group research has shown that as telecom, network, and mobility demands have become more complicated, the urgent requirement to manage and control expenses is no longer just a Fortune 500 problem. Mid-Market sized organizations have their own unique needs for agile and service-based telecom expense solutions that match their own operational flexibility and challenges. For instance, a typical company with $250 million in annual revenue with an effective Telecom Expense Management solution can achieve savings of $100,000 and a Full-Time Equivalent in support of telecom inventory, tech support, bill management, disputes, and contract management by moving from a low maturity solution to Aberdeen-defined Best-in-Class practices. Presenters:
Hyoun Park, Research Analyst, Telecom and Unified Communications
 Hyoun Park is the Research Analyst for Telecom Lifecycle Management at Aberdeen. In this role, he has benchmarked the behaviors of over a thousand organizations in Telecom Lifecycle Management and has provided strategic guidance to numerous Telecom Expense Management organizations and customers. This research practice focuses on the strategic planning, procurement, management, and enterprise usage of network, landline voice, mobility, and unified communications and includes aspects of the following topics: call accounting, business process alignment to telecom technologies, telecom procurement, telecom contract negotiation and filing, telecom and utility spend management, invoice processing, financial reporting, network management, and asset/service inventories. Nancy Peckham, CEO, Valicom  Nancy began her career in telecommunications in 1983 as an account executive with Republic Telecom, a regional long distance carrier. She was named district sales manager for the Wisconsin region in 1987 when Republic Telecom was acquired by Mid American Communications. She recognized a need for independent, objective telecommunications consulting which led her founding Valicom. Since its launch in 1991, Valicom has been a leader in providing telecom expense management solutions and serves enterprise and mid-market clients in a variety of industries and verticals across the U.S.
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!!
At Valicom, we are always looking for ways to reduce telecom expenses, increase operational efficiencies and minimize risk for our clients. I just read an article from WTN News about textblockers that prevent drivers from utilizing their cell phones or texting while driving. With the statistics regarding the number of accidents and fatalities caused by texting and cell phone use while driving, this may not be a bad idea not only for parents, but for employers to reduce your liability risk and protect your valued staff. It is not only wise to include a provision in your wireless policy that prohibits the use of employee's wireless devices while driving but to also consider ways to reduce risk by considering the use of these new cell phone apps.  The new category of text blockers include apps like iZup, tXtBlocker, CellSafety and ZoomSafer. This wireless management software uses the GPS on your cell phone or blackberry to calculate the driver's speed. Once it detects that you are going more than 10 miles an hour, it determines that you are driving and shuts down your device until you are no longer moving. Some of these apps allow cell phone calls but block text, e-mail, Web, chat, Facebook etc. Passengers can unblock their phones by solving a timed puzzle that could not be addressed in a timely manner by the driver. One consideration is whether you, as an employer, want to play Big Brother to your employees or demonstrate trust that they will not text (or talk) and drive on company time. This is dependent on your company culture and should be in keeping with other policies pertaining to the use of cell phones, computers, vehicles etc. As part of an overall wireless expense management engagement, Valicom reviews not only wireless policies and strategies but also performs cell phone audits and on-going wireless optimization services to reduce business costs. In addition, by utilizing Clearview's mobile expense software module, we perform full lifecycle services such as telecom asset management, comprehensive reporting and bill payment. To learn more about the benefits of our wireless expense management services, check out our web-site at www.valicomcorp.com.
What comes to your mind when you hear the term "Cloud Computing?" These days everyone has a different definition of cloud computing and the only element of consistency is an understanding that it is an exploding technology. Wikepedia asserts that cloud computing is "Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand."  Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications are utilized by businesses to access on-demand, internet-based software through the cloud. According to Forrester research, in their webinar entitled, "SaaS your Appplication," it was reported that the CRM and web conferencing industries have the greatest rate of SaaS adoption with the highest growth curve. The TEM industry was conspicuously absent from the growth curve. Based on my research, the use of SaaS telecom expense managment technology is in it's infancy. So how is cloud computing utilized by companies to reduce their telecom costs and to gain telecom expense control? What better way to simplify the expense management process and reduce business costs than to utilize an on-demand, self-service telecom expense management tool to automate this tedious process! Telecom auditing, tracking of telecom assets and telecom bill payment can all be performed quickly and easily without the need to install complex software or utilize your precious computer staff or resources. Valicom has responded and launched our SaaS application for telecom expense management called Clearview-as-a-Service (CaaS). Check it out as an alternative to the traditional approach. You won't be disappointed. If you'd like to try an on-demand telecom expense management application first-hand, go to www.valicomcorp.com and register to try Valicom's Clearview SaaS application for 30 days. Try it, you'll like it!
What tools are you using to reduce business costs? I was always taught by my Father that it is always best to have the right tool for the job. Having the right tool allow you to be successful each time you do the job, in the most efficient way.   Telecom expense management is no different. Sometimes we need to look at the process of how we perform work and consider if there are any alternative methods. Some would call this thinking outside the box. To acheive true telecom cost reduction, a complete understanding of the entire process is required. Starting with the collection of Customer Service Records (CSRs) from all appropriate carriers will serve as the foundation of identifying telecom assets. Gathering all telecom invoices, performing telecom auditing, cellular optimization and telecom contract negotiation are just some of the activities that require a fresh look to make sure that your company has the best tool for the job. Traditional telecom expense management (TEM) business process outsourcing (BPO) services are appropriate when a company determines that Telecom expense management is not their core competency. Howerver, when a company determines that they are good at telecom expense analysis and telecom auditing, the question then becomes; are the Excel spreadsheets we have the right tool for the job?". With the economy in the early stage of recovery, IT and Telecom budgets will continue to be tight. So now is the time to review the tools your company uses to reduce business costs. Valicom announced its Clearview-as-a-Service (CaaS) , or Clearview SaaS application in February, 2010 to be the best tool in the tool bag; to gain control over telecom expenses and enable you to manage these expenses like never before. Visit our website http://www.valicomcorp.com/ and sign up for your 30 day free trial. Let us load your data, train you on the process and share the secrets of Telecom auditing. Checkout CaaS and see for yourself! You will find that this is by far the best telecom cost management software available to the middle market today. http://www.valicomcorp.com/index.php/Clearview-as-a-Service.html 
Many corporate enterprises have expanded their geographic presence through organic growth and mergers and acquisitions. Telecom expense control and reducing business costs become rather difficult as the proliferation of services and invoices abound across various regions. Telecom audits become challenging with a myriad of different vendors and services between locations. Centralization of telecom expenses coupled with the utilization of effective telecom cost management software is the key to greater control and telecom cost reduction. By consolidating vendors, there is greater volume to leverage rates and perform effective telecom contract negotiations. In addition, telecom auditing becomes more manageable with fewer invoices.
Valicom's Clearview® solution can assist in providing your company with centralization and telecom cost savings. This software as a solution takes all of your telecom invoices and inventories and populates all of the critical information in one central repository with detailed financial, asset, and issues reporting available on-demand. Invoices, vendors, and services are consolidated to simplify your telecom expense management functions. Telecom contract negotiations are also performed to ensure the best rates, terms, and conditions achievable with your suppliers. You can experience this first-hand by trying Clearview® free for 30 days. Through this trial, you can see how this solution will assist you in centralizing your services, reducing telecom expenses, and providing greater telecom expense control.
Data provides the basis for Telecom and IT professionals to "make better decisions faster". When I managed data centers and telecom activities in the past, management usually looked at the IT and telecom function as a necessary evil and an overhead department that detracts from the bottom line profits. IT and telecom can always find something to spend money on. New computers, servers, wireless devices, infrastructure upgrades, etc. Some companies treat these functions as enabling their profits and allowing them to grow through technology. No matter how your company views these functions their telecom expense management and cost reduction techniques are an inherent part of IT and telecom as they create an efficient infrastructure to perform business processes, service clients and contribute to financial growth.
Telecom cost management is one area that used to be easy to predict. Depending on how your organization utilizes communications from converged voice and data circuits to local, long distance, and wireless, the process of managing this environment can be extremely difficult. The ability to have customizable reporting, variance tracking, and asset/inventory control organized in a way that enables an organization to obtain real-time data that is always accessible is how to make better decisions faster to project savings and business cost reduction. Of course the consideration to obtain this data is to decide on whether or not managing this function is a core competency of your business. If it is, then the next decision is to "make or buy" a software tool.
Most IT organizations usually do not have the financial resources or time to re-invent the wheel. The decision to purchase a telecom software as a solution can be cumbersome and expensive. Taking advantage of the software-as-a-service model can provide you with the data you need when you want it, displayed in the way that you need it, and at the price your business requires. Making this decision is a simple one with zero impact on IT's existing infrastructure. If you haven't reviewed the SaaS offerings to manage telecom expenses within your business you might be missing an opportunity to reduce business costs. Take a look. What have you got to loose?
What does Wireless Optimization mean for your company? Is this just one of many telecom cost reduction techniques, or just a part of telecommunication expenses? Is cellular optimization important? In short, its all of the above if you want to reduce your telecom costs and achieve control over the assets. However you respond to these questions, the fact remains that most companies need a process to guide the organization on what to purchase, how to purchase, what cost restrictions apply, who owns the telephone, the telephone number, and the expense.
Has your company dealt with these questions? Companies that do answer these questions will obtain overall telecom cost reduction, expense management and control over their important communication assets. At Valicom, we have had many requests for advice on these issues that we have created a wireless device policy for our clients. The wireless device policy we have developed is a result of industry best practices from our experience with our clients. The policy will guide you through the process and help you gain control. If you are serious about reducing telecom costs and would like to obtain a wireless policy that you can implement immediately at your company, please respond to this post and we will send you the policy to your email.
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