Business Tip - Reduce Telecom Costs Instead Of Reducing Staff, Products Or Services
Author: Andy Barber
Layoffs. Pay cuts. Downsizing. Those are words that no business owner likes to use, but with the economy of today they are unfortunately becoming part of everyone's vocabulary. Small and medium sized businesses are the most likely to be affected by the financial hocus pocus that looms around the corner.
What To Do?
There is a way to avoid lay offs or other personnel adjustments while reducing operating costs. There are many expenses a company must deal with, and many of them are out of your control. A few, however, can be dealt with and reduced on your terms. One of the top three expenses most small and medium size businesses incur is telecommunication. With the proliferation of cell phones and wireless data devices, as well complex landline systems, the percentage of telecommunications expenses has risen dramatically.
It is possible to reduce your telecommunications expenses by hundreds…or even thousands of dollars a month, depending upon the size of your organization. This can be done without reducing effectiveness.
How?
A Telecom Expense Management team is the answer. They have the tools and experience to go over every aspect of your telecom expenses and find wasteful spending and eliminating redundancy. They do this through a number of basic categories. These categories are not necessarily stand-alone entities. Instead, they are intertwined and work as a group. They are, in no particular order, as follows.
Expense Optimization.
In very simple terms, the Telecom Expense Management (TEM) team examines your expenses and finds better deals for you. They know how to get group discounts on equipment, what the ideal service contract would be, and which vendors have the best prices. Most TEM companies are vendor neutral so they are able to “shop around” for the best prices.
Asset Management.
Unless you have just a handful of employees with wireless devices, or a small switchboard with a few extensions, your inventory control is most likely nonexistent. It is too easy to forget to deactivate broken or lost devices. If you have an open account with a vendor you risk having employees acquiring equipment and the associated service plans without your knowledge. By using a comprehensive computerized system, the TEM people can create an accurate and real-time list of everything you have, where it is, and who has it.
E-Procurement.
This aspect of TEM is a single, centralized point through which all new equipment is purchased or leased. It ensures that only authorized products are acquired according to need or the employee's hierarchy. Returns, repairs and exchanges are all funneled through E-Procurement. Coupled with Asset Management, you will have a firm grasp of your telecom assets.
Invoice Validation.
Anywhere from 7% to 12% of invoices contain errors. A majority of those errors are in favor of the vendor. Approximately 85% of those invoices are paid without anyone scrutinizing them. To use a very overused phrase, “You do the math.” Telecom Expense Management personnel will comb through each invoice and compare it to the assets and service contracts to find and recover the money that would otherwise be wasted to those errors.
Help Desk.
Help Desk in much like E-Procurement, but with a twist. It is a one-stop place where the inevitable problems can be quickly resolved. Instead of saddling the employee with the task of tracking down the right person to help with the predicament, they simply call Help Desk. If they are unable to solve the problem right then, they know who to call for resolution. They get it done quickly so your employee can remain productive.
Is TEM Free?
Nope. But never fear, it doesn't really “cost.” It “pays.” Generally, a TEM team will charge a percentage of the savings they find. Your business saves money and the TEM company comes out ahead as well. It is a win/win situation. The key is to locate a reputable Telecom Expense Management company and ask for more details than are practical to outline in a short article like this. Contact one today and see what they can do for you.
What To Do?
There is a way to avoid lay offs or other personnel adjustments while reducing operating costs. There are many expenses a company must deal with, and many of them are out of your control. A few, however, can be dealt with and reduced on your terms. One of the top three expenses most small and medium size businesses incur is telecommunication. With the proliferation of cell phones and wireless data devices, as well complex landline systems, the percentage of telecommunications expenses has risen dramatically.
It is possible to reduce your telecommunications expenses by hundreds…or even thousands of dollars a month, depending upon the size of your organization. This can be done without reducing effectiveness.
How?
A Telecom Expense Management team is the answer. They have the tools and experience to go over every aspect of your telecom expenses and find wasteful spending and eliminating redundancy. They do this through a number of basic categories. These categories are not necessarily stand-alone entities. Instead, they are intertwined and work as a group. They are, in no particular order, as follows.
Expense Optimization.
In very simple terms, the Telecom Expense Management (TEM) team examines your expenses and finds better deals for you. They know how to get group discounts on equipment, what the ideal service contract would be, and which vendors have the best prices. Most TEM companies are vendor neutral so they are able to “shop around” for the best prices.
Asset Management.
Unless you have just a handful of employees with wireless devices, or a small switchboard with a few extensions, your inventory control is most likely nonexistent. It is too easy to forget to deactivate broken or lost devices. If you have an open account with a vendor you risk having employees acquiring equipment and the associated service plans without your knowledge. By using a comprehensive computerized system, the TEM people can create an accurate and real-time list of everything you have, where it is, and who has it.
E-Procurement.
This aspect of TEM is a single, centralized point through which all new equipment is purchased or leased. It ensures that only authorized products are acquired according to need or the employee's hierarchy. Returns, repairs and exchanges are all funneled through E-Procurement. Coupled with Asset Management, you will have a firm grasp of your telecom assets.
Invoice Validation.
Anywhere from 7% to 12% of invoices contain errors. A majority of those errors are in favor of the vendor. Approximately 85% of those invoices are paid without anyone scrutinizing them. To use a very overused phrase, “You do the math.” Telecom Expense Management personnel will comb through each invoice and compare it to the assets and service contracts to find and recover the money that would otherwise be wasted to those errors.
Help Desk.
Help Desk in much like E-Procurement, but with a twist. It is a one-stop place where the inevitable problems can be quickly resolved. Instead of saddling the employee with the task of tracking down the right person to help with the predicament, they simply call Help Desk. If they are unable to solve the problem right then, they know who to call for resolution. They get it done quickly so your employee can remain productive.
Is TEM Free?
Nope. But never fear, it doesn't really “cost.” It “pays.” Generally, a TEM team will charge a percentage of the savings they find. Your business saves money and the TEM company comes out ahead as well. It is a win/win situation. The key is to locate a reputable Telecom Expense Management company and ask for more details than are practical to outline in a short article like this. Contact one today and see what they can do for you.
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Andy Barber is currently working for Integrity Communications, a business specializing in Telecom Expense Management. He lives in eastern Kansas. A retired police dispatcher, he now resides in the country with his wife and 2 of his 3 sons. He is a freelance writer who has created articles on subjects such as police work, scanners and 2-way radios, motorcycles and motorcycle painting, promotional advertising products and marketing. Click here to see some of the offerings from Integrity Communications.
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