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Technology Expense Management Insights & Blogs | Valicom
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Telecom ExpenseManagementBlogs

Explore our TEM blogs for expert perspective, real examples, and clear guidance to manage telecom and technology expenses confidently, with fresh insights added routinely.

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The “Death of Blackberry” Illustrates Mobile Transition Challenges for Enterprise

The “Death of Blackberry” Illustrates Mobile Transition Challenges for Enterprise

Jan 23, 2014

The Telecom Expense Management Industry Association (TEMIA), of which Valicom is a member, is the voice for telecom and mobile expense management providers in the US.  In conjunction with member organizations, they just released a new report on best practices for organizations that are transitioning employees’ mobile devices. The report, titled “BlackBerry Concerns Dial up Bigger Issues for Enterprises”, is available online from the Valicom telecom management white paper library.

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20% of BYOD Implementations “Destined to Fail”?

20% of BYOD Implementations “Destined to Fail”?

Jan 15, 2014

Firms are adding security measures to manage mobile at an unprecedented pace, but that may not be enough.  Personal mobile devices are still considered that to their owners – “personal”.  “My stuff, not your stuff.”   So security policies designed to protect the company may be balked at by users, and users’ own sloppy personal habits – like storing passwords ON their devices, or not setting up PIN access – can also undermine the efforts.

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Smartphone Tech Highlights from CES 2014

Smartphone Tech Highlights from CES 2014

Jan 10, 2014

The buzzword for the Consumer Electronics Show in 2014 appeared to be “wearables”.  Vendors are racing to market with eyewear, monitors, watches and fitness-related devices that all chain to your smartphone.  The reach has expanded to every imaginable corner of human activity.  Companies touted wearable baby monitors, golf gloves, gaming devices, and pet-tracking collars to keep a digital eye on Fido.  Wireless carriers must love this trend, as unless you’re within a wi-fi zone, all that delicious data comes out of your capped plan and has the potential to drive up usage, and profits. For a peek, check out this slide show.

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T-Mobile’s Shot Across the Bow – The Wireless War Continues

T-Mobile’s Shot Across the Bow – The Wireless War Continues

Jan 9, 2014

At the widely watched Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, the latest volley in the ongoing wireless carrier battled was unleashed.  T-Mobile, in a move that has been hinted at by CEO John Legere, has offered to pay customers’ penalty fee with other carriers if they make the jump to them.  The early-termination fee rebate could go as high as $650.

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Wireless Expense Management Software + Services

Wireless Expense Management Software + Services

Nov 14, 2013

With many telecom managers wringing their hands over whether “to BYOD or not to BYOD”, others find they aren’t so ready to jump on the bandwagon.   They prefer to get down to business by better managing their current wireless environment, both to control costs and to increase visibility.  As the old adage says, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”

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BYOD Market worth $181 Billion by 2017: But does it cut costs?

BYOD Market worth $181 Billion by 2017: But does it cut costs?

Nov 5, 2013

Market to Market just released a report noting that the BYOD and mobile management arena will be worth $181.39 by 2017.  This (impressive) figure includes all areas of mobile and telecom management for enterprise.  The upward growth curve is huge, coming from just $67 billion 2011, and the majority comes from North America with 36.10% of the overall managed BYOD & Enterprise Mobility Market in 2011 at $24.26 billion; expected to reach $58.60 billion.

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Telecom & Wireless Management: Contract Negotiation

Telecom & Wireless Management: Contract Negotiation

Oct 28, 2013

It’s easy to see that when you remember the telecom vendors are in business to make money.  YOUR money.In other words, they are good at this, and maybe you aren’t.So either get someone experienced to the negotiating table with you, or at least put a game plan in place so you have the time and the information to make an informed decision.  Here is where to start:

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Telecom & Wireless Management: Inventory Management

Telecom & Wireless Management: Inventory Management

Oct 14, 2013

Keeping track of telecom stuff has always been a pain.  However, as the line between telecom and IT continues to blur (think: iPads) it is getting even more complicated.  One employee could easily have several voice, data and wireless assets assigned to them.  And to use the old cliche “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”, that complexity can have dire implications for your telecom budget.

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Telecom & Wireless Management: Invoice Processing

Telecom & Wireless Management: Invoice Processing

Oct 10, 2013

In our series of posts on telecom management pain points, this one is a biggie.  Most telecom managers get tired of dealing with invoice processing and payment.  Invoices should really be audited every time, but even without that, there is still the matter of getting the invoices – either electronically or paper – GL coding everything, getting it approved, and then paid on time.  Anything to keep Accounting is happy.

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Telecom & Wireless Management: Invoice Auditing

Telecom & Wireless Management: Invoice Auditing

Oct 8, 2013

As we discuss pain points of telecom and wireless management, this one will probably be most familiar to readers.  Invoice auditing is a long time tactic for reducing telecom expenses.  Even if you just do a cursory overview of your bills each month, you can often spot problems that can be corrected to save money. 

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Telecom & Wireless Management: Data Loading

Telecom & Wireless Management: Data Loading

Oct 4, 2013

As we discussed in our blog post on telecom expense management software, which is Pain Point #1 – everyone seems to want online tools these days.   But the pain that rapidly comes after you get the software is the realization that someone has to put all the information in there before it becomes useful.  Enter “Data Loading”.

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Telecom & Wireless Management: We need software!

Telecom & Wireless Management: We need software!

Oct 2, 2013

One of the top things we see in the market is firms searching for software.  And we don’t mean old school Windows 95 type tools, but modern cloud-based subscription software.  They want software, they want it to accessible online – minus the hassles of loading and managing it themselves – and they want it affordable.

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Telecom & Wireless Management Pain Points: What are yours?

Telecom & Wireless Management Pain Points: What are yours?

Oct 1, 2013

In recent posts, we have been covering some of the top pain points we are currently seeing in the market.   Pain points meaning a spot where a company is losing enough time, money and patience that they are willing to pay someone the make it go away.  That’s where we come in, or where one of our consultant or partner affiliates can help.

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Increase Wireless Savings with a Wireless Audit

Increase Wireless Savings with a Wireless Audit

Aug 22, 2013

A recent article on No Jitter highlighted the excellent ways firms can save on their wireless expenses by contracting a wireless expense management firm or consultant to audit their environment.  Valicom offers wireless mobility audits, in addition to our wireline services.  Some things an auditor looks for while conducting an audit were listed:

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Valicom Relocates Office to New Madison Area Facility

Valicom Relocates Office to New Madison Area Facility

Jul 17, 2013

Founded in 1991, telecom expense management firm Valicom has weathered the changes, consolidations, technological expansion and increasing complexity of the telecom industry to grow and thrive.  Effective July 15, they have relocated to an updated facility in the Madison, Wisconsin suburb of Fitchburg.

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Mobile Carriers Move to Shorten Upgrade Cycle

Mobile Carriers Move to Shorten Upgrade Cycle

Jul 16, 2013

As the market gets more saturated with smartphones, carriers are finding a new challenge in keeping profits up.  It seems that even as smartphones get smarter, the perceived technical leap between models shrinks, and the drive to upgrade slows down.   Most users would agree that going from a flip phone to any smartphone model – HTC, Apple, Samsung–  is like going from a buggy to a spaceship. 

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White Paper: TEM in 2013

White Paper: TEM in 2013

Jul 10, 2013

Ever wonder how telecom got so complicated? Valicom’s white paper “TEM in 2013: History and Trends”, offers some clues. The paper is a brief solid overview of the telecom expense management industry – where it came from, where it stands now, and trends for the future.

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TEMIA Spotlights Valicom Mobile Services Case Study

TEMIA Spotlights Valicom Mobile Services Case Study

Jul 9, 2013

The Telecom Expense Management Industry Association (TEMIA), an authoritative voice for the Telecommunications Management, Telecom Expense Management (TEM), Wireless Expense Management (WEM), Mobile Device Management (MDM) markets and Solutions Providers publishes a case study on mobile services. TEMIA is upgrading its website with case studies that feature TEM, WEM and MDM solutions from its members.

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