Mobile Expense Management: Three Questions to Ask

The first step in finding a solution is to understand what you’re trying to solve. Let’s start with a little context: global IT spending will reach $3.7 Trillion in 2018! That’s a pretty startling number. Here’s another one: there is a 40% projected growth in global data generated per year vs. 5% growth in global IT spending! The connected, mobile-first world gives you instant access to almost anything you can dream of. You have company data at your fingertips. Email, video conferencing, apps and so much more keep you in contact anywhere, whether in the office or remote. It’s probably no surprise that more than 5 billion people are calling, texting, tweeting and browsing on mobile phones worldwide.

All that usage comes with increased costs. You’ve probably noticed an uptick in your company’s mobile expenses. If you’re looking for solutions to decrease hard and soft mobility costs, being prepared with the right questions is invaluable. Ask your potential Mobile Expense Management provider the following questions to help gather the critical information you need to make the best decision for your business.

“Global IT spending will reach $3.7 Trillion in 2018!”

Do you offer real-time tracking of mobile expenses? Real-time expense management means that you can catch potential overage charges before they show up on your monthly invoice. This level of service enables proactive monitoring of your company’s mobile device usage and prevents costly overage charges. Real-time expense management gives you up-to-date visibility into the active lines that might be at risk of costly overages.

Example: we are working with a company that was using a Mobile Expense Management service provider and they didn’t have a real-time data feed with their carriers. In one month they experienced a $250,000 charge for data overages. This could have been avoided. Look for a vendor with a centralized platform that integrates carrier invoices and provides you with a comprehensive view of your company’s mobile environment.

Do you offer a service desk for end-users?

This problem is multifaceted. Chances are, your IT team is already swamped with an endless list of tasks. Tech support eats up their valuable time, meaning they spend less time innovating your business. On the other hand, your end users need their devices to perform their job. In fact, an employee without a device can suffer a loss of 12.5% efficiency!

Not all solutions are created equal.  Look for a vendor who includes service desk to support international travelers and should have in-depth experience in mobile device troubleshooting, activation questions and complicated mobility issues..

How do you handle your fees?

The best Mobile Expense Management providers are willing to deliver guaranteed savings. This often results in a zero-net cost through their proactive expense control. Look for a Mobile Expense Management provider who provides a flat, per-device fee. This will ensure that you’re spending is predictable.

These questions can offer you a starting point as you evaluate Mobile Expense Management providers. For more detailed information and resources, connect with one of our mobility experts.