Technology: Mobility - ' Technology '
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Technology
Software can help ease the pain of tracking policies and billing.
The process of managing mobile data policies and ferreting out wireless data
costs may seem daunting. But there are software and services that can automate
many of these steps, turning a potential accounting nightmare into a relatively
straightforward exercise in financial discipline.
Such applications can help companies set up use policies, linking users to
appropriate plans and alerting business managers if employees exceed their
allocations. They can also compare billing against use to determine if the
company has been overbilled. It's possible to perform these tasks manually,
but users say that communications cost management is most effective when it's
automated. "Having a tool to do that is very important," maintains IHC's Wilhelmi.
The complexity—and the value—of installing such software depends
on issues like the number of vendors you're using and the kinds of links you
require to your accounting systems. Smaller companies that are unsure if they
can afford to manage an in-house application can use outsourcers for everything
from hosting to handling carrier negotiations. Unfortunately, it can be difficult
to receive bills in electronic format. Some carriers support bill transmission
by EDI, while others send CDs with spreadsheets. Smaller local carriers are
likely to provide paper only.
Armed with good data, however, you're on a far more even footing with carriers,
who in the past held all the information cards. You might even be willing
to accept slightly higher rates for your wireless data contracts if it means
you'll be more assured of easier accounting.
Ask Your Software Guru:
How difficult would it be to integrate telecom management applications into
our ERP and other systems?
Ask Your Line Managers:
Would better visibility of wireless costs help us budget better?
Tell Your Accounting Department:
We should partner on reviewing telecom cost management applications and services.
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