The Telecommunications Audit: Money Saving Tool
By MAE KOWALKE
TMCnet Associate Editor for Channels
Enterprises today are finding it increasingly challenging to manage their telecommunications assets. Getting a full handle on all the various services: voice, data, and mobile requires a telecommunications audit. The introduction of mobile devices in recent years has only made the situation more complex. Bottom line: enterprises can no longer afford to avoid investing in a telecommunications audit and a system for ongoing telecom cost management.
A telecommunications audit is a comprehensive examination of communications expenses that looks for ways to streamline billing processes and to eliminate billing errors. In-house accounting resources retained by enterprises are not enough; a truly robust telecommunications audit must be performed by specialists.
The complexity of telecom spend today-involving many technologies, audit bills, chargeback accounting, and network optimization-often results in little or no visibility into what assets are being used for and how much they cost. A telecommunications audit removes this opacity and lets enterprises finally realize efficient use of their telecom assets.
A professional telecommunications audit is performed by knowledgeable consultants who use specialized software tools and their knowledge of telecom services, regulations, and billing procedures to advocate for the enterprise. This robust examination of telecom spend typically results in 10-40 percent savings on telecom assets.
Telecommunications audit services are part of the broader telecom cost management spectrum, which also includes infrastructure analysis, contract negotiation, consolidation, and project management. The telecommunications audit uncovers billing discrepancies and recovers overcharges due to carrier negligence and database errors.
Telecommunications audits come in two flavors: historic and ongoing. When a telecom cost management system is initially deployed, an historic telecommunications audit must be performed to examine past telecom spend and establish an inventory of existing assets. Once this initial process is complete, a telecommunications audit must be performed periodically to keep the system up-to-date.
When enterprises look for ways to cut costs and become more efficient, a telecommunications audit should be put on the short list. Thoroughly examining telecom assets is the only sure way to avoid billing errors and get the best rate plans. When it comes to a telecommunications audit, there are no shortcuts.
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Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke’s columnist page.