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The Basic Functions of a TEM Solution

By MAE KOWALKE TMCnet Associate Editor for Channels

Many enterprises today are employing telecom expense management (TEM) solutions to help get the costs of doing business under control. No matter which TEM solution is chosen, it should offer some basic advantages. When considering a TEM solution, an enterprise should make sure not to compromise on these fundamentals.

First, it should be noted that the primary purpose of a TEM solution is to save you money. Since errors in vendor invoices may be costing your company as much as 15 percent of its telecom budget, TEM's first priority is to cut costs.

On the cost-cutting front, a TEM solution should be equipped to reduce waste. The TEM solution does this by improving processes within the organization. A good TEM solution also introduces efficiency-boosting automation, further cutting costs.

Second, the TEM solution you select should free up funds and resources for critical initiatives. When deployed properly, a TEM solution saves not only money but also resources (personnel time, process efficiencies, etc.). The money and time saved by the TEM solution means your company has more resources to put towards initiatives that are of utmost importance to remaining competitive.

Thirdly, when choosing a TEM solution you should look for one that improves communications service delivery throughout the enterprise. Streamlining both billing and other mission critical processes is a key function of TEM.

Because these critical functions of TEM are complex, the TEM solution you choose should be robust yet easy-to-use. The TEM solution should include usage management and cost allocation tools. The TEM solution you choose should include asset management and invoice management tools. And the TEM solution you choose should include business analytics and ad-hoc reporting tools.

Other functions of TEM to consider and look for are call accounting, e-911, and wireless management. Together, these TEM functions will lower your costs, improve your customer service, and help you allocate resources and staff more efficiently.

In short, a well-tailored TEM solution serves your enterprise by keeping dollars in your pocket. Without TEM, errors and inefficiencies can cut significantly into the bottom line. With TEM, it is possible to run a much more effective enterprise and to stay competitive.

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Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke's columnist page.