Top Ways Midsize Companies Can Cut Costs on Network and Mobile Bills
For midsize companies, managing operational costs is always a top priority. As technology continues to advance, network and mobile expenses can quickly spiral out of control without proper oversight. However, with the right strategies in place, IT decision-makers can significantly reduce these expenses while maintaining high service standards. Below are some practical and actionable strategies that can help midsize companies cut costs on their network and mobile bills.
1. Conduct Comprehensive Audits of Current Services
The first step in cutting costs is to thoroughly assess your current network and mobile services. A complete audit of all existing contracts, services, and usage patterns will provide valuable insights into where savings can be found. This process should include:
- Identifying underutilized lines: Many businesses have mobile lines or network services that are no longer needed or underused. For example, employees may have unused devices or data plans that are unnecessary. By identifying these inefficiencies, you can either downgrade services or eliminate them altogether.
- Reviewing contracts for outdated terms: It's common for businesses to renew contracts automatically, often at rates that may no longer be competitive or aligned with current needs. By reviewing the terms of existing agreements and renegotiating with your provider, you can often secure better rates or terms that suit your current business needs.
- Spotting duplicate services: In some cases, a business might have multiple vendors providing similar services, leading to redundant or overlapping costs. Consolidating services under one vendor can streamline management and reduce overall costs.
By conducting a comprehensive audit, you’ll identify hidden inefficiencies and areas where services can be optimized or cut altogether. This will give you a clearer picture of your true needs and how to adjust your strategy for maximum savings.
2. Leverage Cloud-Based Solutions
As more businesses move to the cloud, it’s an excellent opportunity to reassess your network infrastructure. Cloud-based services offer multiple advantages that can help reduce IT costs, particularly in terms of hardware and network maintenance. Benefits include:
- Scalability: Cloud-based services allow you to scale up or down based on your actual needs. Unlike on-premise infrastructure, which requires significant investment upfront, cloud solutions offer a pay-as-you-go model. You pay for what you use, which can lead to significant cost savings, especially for growing companies.
- Reduced maintenance costs: Managing physical servers and network equipment can be costly and time-consuming. With cloud services, your service provider handles maintenance, patches, and upgrades, reducing the need for in-house IT resources dedicated to infrastructure management.
- Better performance and flexibility: Cloud services often come with advanced features such as automatic updates and enhanced security, reducing the need to manually upgrade systems and manage security risks. Additionally, many cloud providers offer bundled services (like data storage, computing power, and software) at a lower cost than purchasing each service separately.
Transitioning to cloud-based solutions may require an initial investment in time and resources, but the long-term savings from avoiding hardware expenses and reducing the need for in-house maintenance can pay off quickly.
3. Negotiate Contracts and Explore Alternative Providers
Regularly reviewing and renegotiating contracts with your network and mobile service providers is an essential part of cost management. Many businesses find that their initial agreements no longer match their current requirements, whether that’s due to changes in the business model, employee numbers, or service usage. Here’s how to approach contract renegotiation effectively:
- Know your usage and needs: Before entering negotiations, review the services you actually need. Are you paying for extra features that are not necessary? Have your data or call volumes decreased, allowing you to downgrade to a less expensive plan? By having a clear understanding of your actual usage, you’re in a stronger position to negotiate.
- Don’t settle for the default offer: Many service providers will offer introductory or promotional pricing at the beginning of a contract. However, once the promotional period ends, prices can increase significantly. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal, even after your initial contract has expired. If your provider isn’t willing to meet your needs, consider exploring alternative vendors that might offer more competitive pricing.
- Bundle services for discounts: Service providers often offer discounts when multiple services are bundled together. Consider consolidating your network, mobile, and even IT management services with a single provider, which can result in better rates across the board.
Negotiating for better rates and switching providers when necessary can lead to significant savings. Service providers are often willing to offer competitive pricing to retain customers, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
4. Implement Mobile Expense Management Tools
Mobile expenses are one of the biggest challenges in managing network costs, especially in a company with a large mobile workforce. Mobile expense management (MEM) platforms can help monitor and control these costs effectively. These tools offer a variety of features, such as:
- Usage tracking: MEM platforms allow you to track mobile usage patterns in real-time. You can see which devices or employees are exceeding their data or voice allowances and adjust services accordingly to avoid overage charges.
- Reporting and analytics: These tools provide detailed insights into mobile spending, helping you identify areas where wasteful spending is occurring. You can use this data to make better-informed decisions about mobile plans and usage.
- Policy enforcement: By setting data caps and alerts within the MEM platform, you can encourage employees to adopt better mobile usage habits, such as using Wi-Fi when available, limiting roaming, and avoiding unnecessary app downloads.
Investing in a mobile expense management tool can be a game-changer in controlling and reducing mobile-related costs.
5. Optimize Data Usage and Encourage Best Practices
Optimizing data usage is an effective way to reduce mobile expenses. Many businesses struggle with high mobile bills due to employees’ inefficient use of data. Encouraging best practices among your staff can go a long way in managing this expense. Consider implementing the following strategies:
- Wi-Fi-first policy: Encourage employees to connect to Wi-Fi networks whenever possible to avoid using mobile data. A Wi-Fi-first policy can help limit data usage on mobile plans, which is especially important for employees working remotely or in the field.
- Data limits and monitoring: Set reasonable data limits for each employee and provide alerts when they approach their limit. Additionally, monitor data usage regularly to identify any employees who consistently exceed their limits and determine whether they need a different plan or more training on data management.
- Educate employees on data-efficient practices: Offer training to staff on how to manage mobile data effectively. Simple habits, such as closing apps that use data in the background or downloading large files only when connected to Wi-Fi, can make a significant difference in overall data consumption.
By optimizing data usage, you can prevent unnecessary charges and better control your mobile expenses.
6. Outsource Management to Specialized Providers
If managing network and mobile services in-house is proving to be too complex or time-consuming, consider outsourcing to specialized providers. Outsourcing network and mobile management can save time, reduce errors, and lead to better cost control. Here’s why:
- Expertise and experience: Third-party service providers who specialize in mobile and network management have extensive experience optimizing these services. They know how to streamline operations, identify inefficiencies, and negotiate better deals with providers.
- Reduced administrative overhead: Outsourcing these tasks frees up your internal teams to focus on strategic initiatives instead of spending time on day-to-day network and mobile management. This allows you to focus resources on growing your business, rather than getting bogged down in operational tasks.
- Improved billing accuracy: Specialized providers can also help ensure that your billing is accurate and that you aren’t being charged for services you don’t need or use. They often have access to tools and systems that can catch billing errors and discrepancies, ensuring you’re only paying for what you’ve agreed to.
Outsourcing these tasks can save both time and money, and it allows you to focus on what truly matters—growing your business.
Conclusion
Reducing network and mobile expenses doesn’t require drastic measures or cutting corners. By conducting audits, leveraging cloud solutions, renegotiating contracts, utilizing mobile expense management tools, optimizing data usage, and considering outsourcing, midsize companies can effectively reduce these critical costs. These strategies not only lead to significant savings but also streamline operations, improve efficiency, and contribute to long-term business success.
By implementing these cost-saving measures, IT decision-makers can confidently manage their company’s network and mobile expenses, freeing up resources for growth and innovation.