by Ian Yates, CEO, Quickcomm
Communications can be a game changer for an enterprise, improving customer experience and creating a more efficient workforce. However, more communication touch points often leads to complexity across the business. Obtaining visibility of the ever-changing and increasing enterprise assets and costs is a difficult procedure for the telecom manager, let alone managing these assets ongoing. The associated billing errors and security risks are causes of concern if the process and governance are not clear. Organizations choosing a “set it and forget it” approach often lose thousands of dollars on expenses that could easily be avoided with an effective telecommunications management strategy.
For example, wireless costs already account for 31% of an average company’s overall spending. As workforces are mobilized and the use of mobile devices continues to rise, both costs and the percentage accountable to wireless will increase. IT professionals and decision-makers must prepare to manage all devices as a part of their total telecommunications management strategy.
Effective management of mobile expenses and the deployment of devices require the following three elements:
Telecommunications management offers complete visibility into the lifecycle, including fixed and mobile inventory management, contract management, procurement, invoice payments, dispute settlements and cost allocations. Visibility provides more than just control over spiraling costs, it improves business efficiency, drives responsiveness and maximizes productivity.
The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has been cause for concern. With greater flexibility in work practices, technology managers are becoming increasingly worried about maintaining the security of their data, especially with the growing popularity of BYOD. In order to protect sensitive company data and avoid mobile security threats, a management strategy must incorporate a mobile device management (MDM) solution, delivering quality control infrastructures that ensure data security is maintained in the system and throughout all operational process.
With more employees working remotely, it is critical for a business to maintain visibility of tariffs, assets and usage. An effective solution delivers a suite of agnostic solutions that allow customers to take control of the infrastructure covering the entire lifespan of mobile assets, beginning from procurement and deployment until final disposition.
As budgets remain tight, companies are feeling the pressure to gain a clearer view and handle of their telecommunications strategy. By gaining visibility, security and control of the environment, they no longer have to worry about the onslaught of mobile devices, even as the company grows and more resources are needed. By adopting a total strategy, businesses gain more than just cost-savings, but proactive management of the complete communications infrastructure including auditing and reporting, control and security, inventory management, spending optimization and lifecycle management.
More at www.quickcomm.com
