The rising cost of data usage on mobile devices

Employees consuming a massive amount of high-speed data is leading to huge increases in company cell phone bills, as most companies pay by the gig.

Data usage on mobile devices is at an all-time high. Smartphone users lead the pack in this respect, with average usage hitting 314 GBs per month, per user.  That’s a 25% jump over usage in 2016.

Those gigs can add up, fast.

That’s especially true if your employees have the tantalizing unlimited plans available from telecom vendors.  NPD reports that users with unlimited plans consume 67% more data than users on limited plans.

Again, that can add up for companies who are paying for that data by the gig.

And here’s the kicker – data usage is projected to double over the next several years.

Capacity problems

Without more competition in the market, existing networks are threatened.  The huge capacity required strains providers to keep up with demand.  That means increased costs which are passed on to consumers.

But entering the US market is a proposition requiring billions of dollars, so it’s unlikely we’ll see much movement in that respect, at least for the time being.

5G is now on the immediate event horizon, but it will be a while before it’s rolled out beyond key urban areas.

Video no more

The capacity strain is taking a toll on providers like telecom giants Verizon and AT&T.  Data for video streamed are now capped at a ridiculously low level unless you shell out for the top plan, which only allows 720p for video.

T-Mobile now charges users an additional $10 per month for HD video.

Vendors are also finding ways to ding users in their contractual fine print and even those with older plans once grandfathered in are seeing changes to their plans that push charges on their accounts upward.

5G internet speeds are compelling manufacturers to bring their devices up to speed (quite literally, as 5G’s anticipated speeds are blistering), but the cost of infrastructure is where users are certain to see major hikes concerning data usage, for the foreseeable future.

And that’s bad news for business.

Good news for business

So, where’s the silver lining?  It’s in opting to choose membership with a trusted procurement advisor – CenterPoint Group.

Our members receive the benefit of keenly focused account management, including reviewing billings and helping them avoid unforeseen, sudden price increases.

Our wireless telecom services including performing exacting RFPs with vendors, ensuring you get the best possible pricing.

The procurement experts at CenterPoint know how to help you get the most out of industry competition, by leveraging the power of numbers.  Our members collectively pool resources, which enables us to offer the most advantageous contracts, with the most beneficial terms and the lowest rates.

You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to beat the rising cost of data usage on mobile devices.  Centerpoint Group’s members do it, regardless of their companies’ size or prominence.

If you’re ready to beat the rising cost of data usage, contact us.

The post The rising cost of data usage on mobile devices appeared first on Centerpoint.

source http://centerpointgroup.com/rising-cost-data-usage-mobile-devices/

How the Cloud is Making Procurement More Efficient

They say that the bigger they come, the harder they fall.  But when it comes to procurement, the bigger you are, the more complicated the process.

With a growing roster of suppliers and employees dedicated to the supply chain, chaos can ensue, if due care isn’t taken to institute policies and practices which govern procurement.  Inefficiencies set in, causing bottlenecks and costing money.

How the cloud is making procurement more efficient is that it dispenses with the need for in-house procurement which can be costly and ponderous to implement and maintain.  The cloud owns the software and hardware required, serving as a portal that employees interact within the process, but aren’t responsible for constructing or maintaining.

The cloud does all that on your behalf.

Collaboration and accessibility

Buyers and sellers are enabled to collaborate because the need for client software and system integration is eliminated.  Everyone has access.

The key to implementing the cloud solution is to roll out automation gently, getting buy-in from all stakeholders as you move forward and they see the value of what you’re doing.

Establish workable, clearly-defined processes which lend themselves to automation to trim the chaos and inefficiency of traditional, cumbersome procurement.

Clear guidelines

To tame your procurement process, your first move is to establish and clearly document your key criteria for suppliers.  In the absence of guidelines, you’re going to see the injection of a variety of worldviews and workstyles entering the equation and muddying the waters, as procurement employees follow their noses.

You don’t have to write War and Peace.  Establishing as few as 5 clear, simple criteria can form the foundation of vendor evaluation by your procurement team.

At this point, you’re better positioned to begin implementing automation.  Most manual interactions can be readily automated.  These include mechanisms for approval and invoicing.  Your procurement staff will be empowered to make more informed decisions, as they’ll have access to a wealth of information about suppliers, products and historical customer service, including the timing of deliveries.

Compliance made easy

With the cloud doing the procurement administration for you, you’ll find that keeping track of communications between your procurement staff and the vendor is much less problematic.  You’ll be better able to police compliance, as all purchasing will be pursued with vendors you’ve developed contractual relationships with.

You can also customize the approval process to mesh with your company’s policies, ensuring staff compliance with the new reality, as well as that of your vendors.

CenterPoint Group

The cloud makes procurement a much cleaner, more efficient process.  But there’s an even better way to do your purchasing – with a trusted procurement advisor like CenterPoint Group.

We create the right conditions for companies like yours to save on everyday business needs by leveraging $850 million in the collective, indirect spend.

With innovative analytics and up-to-date market information, we provide you with business essentials like office supplies and energy at a price that’s available only with the power of numbers – CenterPoint’s members.

Discover the procurement power of numbers.  Join us!

The post How the Cloud is Making Procurement More Efficient appeared first on Centerpoint.

source http://centerpointgroup.com/cloud-making-procurement-efficient/