articles

Telecom Expense Management Best Practices

Telecom Expense Management is enjoying a fair measure of growth lately. Much has been written about what telecom expense management is, and what some of the key benefits are.

In fact, in a recent article, TMCnet's Mae Kowalke did an admirable job of summing up much of what telecom expense management is and what it is generally used for. To recap:

• The primary purpose of a telecom expense management solution is to save you money.
• A telecom expense management solution should be equipped to reduce waste.
• A good telecom expense management solution introduces efficiency-boosting automation, further cutting costs.
• The telecom expense management solution you select should free up funds and resources for critical initiatives. When deployed properly, a telecom expense management solution saves not only money but also resources (personnel time, process efficiencies, etc.).
• A telecom expense management solution should improve communications service delivery throughout the enterprise.
• Streamlining billing and other mission critical processes is a key function of telecom expense management.

Recently, AnchorPoint, a Framingham, MA-based firm that delivers innovative, integrated telecom expense management business solutions offered a list of best practices for telecom expense management. To begin with AnchorPoint identified several differentiators that set apart the various telecom expense management solutions in the marketplace.

Leading telecom expense management solutions are differentiated in the marketplace through:

• The use of a common database for…
  • Integrated Comprehensive Application Suite
  • Wireline, Wireless, Data all combined on a single, integrated platform
• Customer-centric deployment competencies
• Unparalleled visibility and control to drive results
• Rapid implementation and process-based consulting options
• Exceptional customer satisfaction

As far as comprehensive functionality, AnchorPoint recommends the following actions be taken into consideration:

• Use a common technology platform for:
• Usage, asset and invoice applications
• Wireline, wireless, and data
• "Single point of entry and access"
• Ensure C-level and operational visibility
• Use centralized ordering and provisioning
• Automate invoice receipt, validation and payment
• Use flexible chargeback and allocation
• Deliver enterprise interfaces

Finally, AnchorPoint believes that for a solution to be successful, telecom expense management vendors should be sure to include the following items on their services "menu:"

• Automated, Integrated TEM software modules with single entry point
• "Order to Pay" Lifecycle Capabilities
• Personalized, Unparalleled Visibility
• Invoice Loading and Financial Management
• Inventory Ordering, Provisioning and Asset Management
• Exceptions & Dispute Management
• Chargeback, Usage and Cost Management
• AP, GL, Enterprise Systems Feeds
• Process-centric Optimization and
• Extensible Modules for IT, Wireless & E911

AnchorPoint also recently announced that they are enjoying continued growth through the first half of 2007. Among the key wins in early 2007, AnchorPoint added to its customer ranks the largest utilities provider in the Northeast, the largest wholesale club operator in the US, and the largest county government in the mid-Atlantic states region.