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Unifying Mobile and Landline Telecom Management

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Mobile Management Featured Article


July 28, 2008

Unifying Mobile and Landline Telecom Management

By Mae Kowalke, TMCnet Senior Editor


Telecom expense management (TEM) is not what it used to be. This discipline has expanded in recent years to include a new segment which, by some estimations, has overtaken the traditional management of fixed-line phone services.
 
The new area of TEM is mobile management, sometimes also referred to as wireless management. Like traditional TEM, mobile management involves tools and processes that automate the various tasks of tracking and reducing the costs associated with communications services. But, mobile management is more complex because there are so many more options available for wireless devices and services.

 
As companies large and small have come to realize that they need automated tools for managing a myriad of wireless devices, TEM has become somewhat siloed into two main disciplines: mobile and landline.
 
An even more recent trend, however, has been the realization by enterprises and TEM provides alike that the most useful platform for tracking communications costs is one that unifies mobile and landline.
 
For example, TEM firm Amtel (News - Alert) has developed a platform called TIMS, short for Telecom Life Cycle Management Systems, that addresses both sides of the modern TEM coin. Unlike some other systems that separate the two disciplines and make things even more complex for enterprises, TIMS centralizes all aspects of TEM for streamlined efficiency.
 
As the name suggests, TIMS is all about the entire lifecycle of TEM. It includes modules that handle the following aspects of TEM:
 
Procurement Management  — Determining which services and devices will be used, and placing orders for them.
 
Inventory  —  Recording and tracking all services and devices being used.
 
Contracts  — Managing negotiations with carriers to obtain the best possible rates.
 
Knowledge Base (News - Alert)  —  Extensive database of business intelligence about different carriers and the plans they offer.
 
Invoices Processing  — Data entry and tracking of invoices into the system so billing can be handled smoothly and efficiently.
 
Audit  — Thorough look at inventory and contracts to determine potential savings.
 
Mobile Policy  — Development, recording and enforcement of policies regarding how devices and services can and cannot be used.
 
Reporting  — Extensive reports generated using information stored in the system.
 
To learn more about TIMS and how it addresses the full lifecycle of TEM, please visit the Mobile Management and Wireless Management channels on TMCnet.com, brought to you by Amtel.
 
Mae Kowalke is senior editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Mae’s articles, please visit her columnist page. She also blogs for TMCnet here.
 
 

Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Jim Cossetta, President, CEO, 4What Interactive, Creators of The VoIPTrainer, brought to you by 4What Interactive (News - Alert).



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