Improving Enterprise Operations with a Modern TEM Solution

Telecom expense management (TEM) refers to the processes and tools used by an organization to manage and optimize their telecommunication services, assets, and associated costs. It encompasses a range of elements, including invoice processing, cost allocation, usage analysis, and vendor management.

At its core, telecom expense management aims to bring control, understanding, and accountability to a large organization's telecommunication expenses, which span multiple vendors, services, and locations. An effective TEM solution allows telecom billing processes to be consolidated and streamlined, allowing accurate fund allocation to respective departments or cost centers. Opportunities for cost savings can be identified much faster using cutting-edge solutions rather than outdated systems that tend to fall short.

Understanding the benefits of unified communications helps organizations reduce overall costs and ensure compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements. As the business world increasingly relies on advanced unified communication systems, many platforms that once accelerated businesses have begun to have an adverse impact.

How Outdated TEM Software Holds Companies Back

While legacy TEM solutions may have touted revolutionary features in the past, a lack of continued advancement causes them to fail to meet modern businesses' demands. These outmoded systems typically involve manual data entry and processing, which leads to mistakes and increased labor. Their inability to integrate seamlessly with contemporary communication technologies results in fragmented data and a lack of real-time visibility, making it difficult for businesses to track telecom expenses and spend accurately.

Inefficiencies and Errors

Manual processes can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, often increasing operational costs and reducing overall productivity. Relying on outdated methods also compromises data accuracy, making it difficult to maintain reliable records and track expenses across multiple divisions.

Lack of Integration and Transparency

A significant drawback of legacy TEM solutions is their inability to integrate seamlessly with modern communication technologies. This results in fragmented data and a lack of real-time insight on organization-wide expenses. Without a unified view of telecom usage, businesses struggle to track it. A lack of transparency can lead to hidden financial inefficiencies, further impacting the organization's bottom line.

Limited Analytics and Reporting

When managing invoices across a single billing platform, seeing the complete picture and minor details at once is critical to keeping costs in check. Legacy solutions lack the capability for billing coordinators to review individual line items and division-wide expenses within one software. As a result, businesses relying on less advanced methods of telecom billing management find themselves at a strategic disadvantage, missing out on opportunities to enhance their competitive edge and potential for growth.

The Benefits of Choosing an Effective TEM Solution

Enterprise telecom solutions offer numerous benefits that significantly enhance a business's operational efficiency and financial health. While determining which telecom expense management provider fits your needs takes time, the elements below should be accounted for to ensure your organization makes the right choice.

Streamlined Billing and Invoice Management

Using telecom expense management software is key to reducing the administrative burden on staff and simplifying billing management processes. By automating workflows such as invoice validation, cost allocation, and dispute management, organizations can improve accuracy and ensure timely payment of invoices, avoiding late fees and service disruptions. This approach minimizes the risk of errors associated with manual data entry and reconciliation.

Visibility and Cost Optimization

Organizations gain a complete view of their telecom expenses with an effective TEM solution. A centralized platform consolidates billing data from multiple vendors, allowing businesses to quickly track and analyze communication costs. This enables the identification of areas of overspending, empowering organizations to make data-driven decisions and manage their telecom expenses effectively.

Enhanced Inventory Management and Tracking

Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of telecom assets like mobile devices, landlines, and VoIP accounts allows businesses to monitor developing trends. Tracking usage patterns and identifying underutilized resources can make decisions about upgrades or consolidation based on real-world data. With a comprehensive understanding of their telecom inventory and usage patterns, enterprises can ensure seamless integration and cost-effective deployment of unified communication solutions.

A State Government’s Vital TEM Upgrade with Sakon and Kyndryl

A prime example of the benefits of unified communications and better billing is the case study of a state government that partnered with Kyndryl (formerly IBM) and Sakon. The state government wanted to move away from their outdated PBX system and implement a modern VoIP solution. However, they faced challenges with their complex billing structure that had to take multiple agencies, vendors, and cost centers into consideration.

While Kyndryl assisted with the VoIP migration, Sakon implemented a unified billing platform that consolidated invoices from carriers and vendors. The platform matched these invoices with inventory and service agreements, ensuring accuracy, and automatically routed the appropriate invoices to the respective agencies and cost centers.

Each agency within the state government was provided with a secure portal to view their billing data, initiate disputes, and generate custom reports. Sakon also offered personalized support, training sessions, and regular updates to ensure smooth adoption by the state government's employees.

The results of this modernization were impressive; the state government achieved over a 50% reduction in voice communication costs and witnessed a significant increase in productivity. Most importantly, the agencies involved expressed high satisfaction with the new system. The streamlined billing process and enhanced visibility into communication expenses played a crucial role in achieving these outcomes, showcasing the immense potential of these technologies. 

A full breakdown of this case study is available for a more thorough analysis of Sakon’s positive impact and the efforts needed for a complex migration.

Trust Sakon for Effective TEM Optimization

The state government's partnership with Kyndryl and Sakon serves as a compelling example of the transformative power of a robust TEM solution. By consolidating billing processes, providing granular visibility into expenses, and automating key workflows, the state government achieved a higher standard of telecom management.

As businesses navigate the world of modern communication technologies and evolving regulatory requirements, investing in an effective TEM solution becomes a strategic imperative. By leveraging the capabilities of such a platform, organizations can gain control over their telecom expenses and align their communication infrastructure with their business objectives – ultimately driving long-term success in an increasingly digital landscape.

Ready to transform your telecom expense management? Discover how Sakon's advanced TEM solutions can streamline your operations, reduce costs, and provide actionable insights. Don't wait – let's talk and see how we can help your business thrive in the modern telecom landscape.