How to trim those rising telecom costs

More than a few enterprises have yet to get a good grip on what their increasing telecommunications costs are and it's likely that more than a few tech leaders don't even want to know. But as more services get piled on and more devices are deployed, tech leaders are urged to corral current costs and work with other business unit leaders, including the CFO's office and human resources, to try and map out future expenses as wireless connectivity and device demand continue to climb.

One way is to choose a telecom expense management product; The good news is that there are dozens to consider. The bad news is that just trying to figure out which one is the right solution can be time consuming. A good stepping stone is to start benchmarking--by mapping out the number of routers in place down to the number of circuits. It's all about updating inventory and assessment before bringing in a TEM product, say experts, as the up front work can end up costing a bundle if you leave it up to a services provider. Once you've done all that, then you can list out what features and functionalities you'd like in tracking and budgeting and check out the various tools available. As experts note, getting a grip on telecom costs isn't just about saving money. Having a strong strategy can enhance the company's bill payment and credit processes and can foster needed efficiencies in various operations. Article