Can Call Accounting Truly Reduce Costs?
October 05, 2015
By Susan J. Campbell
TMCnet Contributing Editor
As much as communications lends value to our business environments, it can also have a significant impact on the bottom line. We have to stay connected – that much is clear. But how do we ensure the technology we have in place represents the best use of our resources and capabilities? Can call accounting really make an impact?
The goal of any technology purchase should be to improve processes and deliver a lower cost of doing business. If there isn’t a demonstrated return on investment (ROI), it’s much harder to achieve buy-in from those who control the budget. In terms of communications cost, it can be difficult to associate the individual charges with the right source, unless you have call accounting in place to help with the process.
The goal of any call accounting solution should be to demonstrate improvements within the established environment. If outlandish numbers are promised in return once the software is put in place, this is a red flag. If the provider instead offers to reduce telecom costs through organized information, this is a legitimate offer. The goal should be to gain the ability to fully manage the telecommunications system, which could be the primary reason for purchase. Over time, however, the insight into usage offers clear opportunities for change.
For instance, call accounting solution, Infortel Select provides proper reporting in an engine that draws out raw data collected from telecom sources. Companies can then make proper business decisions and save money. With Jurisdiction Summary Report, users can analyze and plan trunk facilities and trunk groups within a data source. The report can also be used to identify routing issues and overflow, carrier bill reconciliation and a summary of total activity and cost.
If you’re worried that you may be overstocked on call capacity or that demand outweighs availability, look to the Concurrent Call Analysis. This tool offers a way to determine just how many people are using the phone at any given time. You can the identify peak hours of concurrent use to better determine optimal network bandwidth for SIP trunking. Adjust your numbers daily, monthly or annually as needed.
With ISI’s (News - Alert) Telecom Audit and Optimization tool, the Telecom Profit Optimizer, you can leverage key information on the best ways to reduce your telecom costs. At the same time, obtain vendor refunds due to billing errors. If too many or not enough assets are available to manage communications, you can leverage keen insight to make cost effective decisions.
At the end of the day, you’re going to continue to support communications that are most conducive to effective operations. If call accounting can help you do so at a lower cost, what’s stopping your implementation?
Edited by Stefania Viscusi