When selecting a TEM supplier, an initial consideration is the data that will be aggregated into the solution. One motivation for businesses to consider a TEM supplier solution is the vast quntity of telecom data points delivered by providers. Invoices, CSRs, contracts, multiple service addresses, multiple service providers and MACD activity all contribute to a monumental amount of data points that must be interpreted and aggregated in order to make informed decisions about services and cost.
Knowing the specific data points involved is the first step in reviewing a TEM supplier. Awareness of their value and respective contribution to the overall view of telecom services enables businesses to assess a supplier’s capabilities accurately as they relate to management needs.
Any TEM solution should increase the information known about a telecom environment in order to create value. If the data points aggregated are simply different versions of what is already known, the value of the solution is limited. Beneficial solutions will produce information that is not known or invisible. Collecting data points that are not assimilated into new and valuable views is much less valuable than information reporting that relates directly to cost containment or optimization decisions.
Inventory audit and validation of all data points is required to ensure that the information presented in the solution is relevant. The classic data processing axiom, “Garbage in, garbage out,” has never been more apropos. The initial focus should be on the data points captured. Understanding what measures are taken to accurately represent the source data gathered from multiple providers helps to solidify the accuracy of the information generated.
Learning how a TEM supplier will assist in knowing what you have, where it is and how much it costs will lead to making the most informed decision possible.
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