Summary
Technology Expense Management (TEM) goes beyond simple cost management. Other lesser-known features of TEM are:
- Automating processes like billing and vendor management
- Improving operational efficiency through IT Asset Management and order management
- Securing IT assets to minimize risks such as unauthorized access or data breaches.
However, many companies find themselves frequently switching TEM providers due to various shortcomings, such as high service costs with low return on investment, limited platform features, poor customer service, or inconsistent engagement.
Companies expect their TEM providers to offer solutions that adapt to the constant changes in their needs as well as technological advancements. This requires TEM providers to listen to clients throughout the contract, rather than limiting themselves to identifying initial needs. While each company has unique requirements, all clients wish to benefit from support with quick response times and effective problem-solving skills.
Additionally, clients expect their Technology Expense Management providers to ensure the Operational Maintenance (MCO) of their platforms to guarantee optimal performance of the TEM software.
Saaswedo, a TEM provider based in France with offices in the United States, stands out by offering an innovative platform combined with consistently high-quality customer service. Saaswedo’s commitment to adhering to SLAs throughout the relationship, not just at contract renewal, sets it apart from competitors. Our NPS score of 38, an increase of 12%, is proof that we have earned the trust of most of our clients. The company’s customizable support services, proactive approach, and focus on delivering tailored solutions help build long-term partnerships based on trust and performance.
What is Technology Expense Management?
Formerly known as Telecom Expense Management, Technology Expense Management (TEM) ensures that you gain visibility into your technology expenditures and identify unnecessary services. Besides financial management, TEM improves operational efficiency by automating processes such as billing and vendor management, reducing the time and effort spent on manual tasks. TEM also ensures that you can monitor and secure your IT assets, track usage, and minimize risks such as unauthorized access or data breaches.
As most business operations require IT equipment and a constant connectivity, most companies need TEM providers to keep processes running smoothly. However, many businesses find themselves replacing their TEM provider regularly.
Customers have numerous different options when selecting a TEM provider
The Technology Expense Management industry is very competitive, and with one Google search you can find several TEM providers pitching their solutions. This leads to consumers (rightfully) raising their standards when seeking a Technology Expense Management vendor. These requirements include price-quality ratio, a proactive IT helpdesk which timely solves clients’ problems, and consistency in service and engagement.
Since the Technology Expense Management industry is not short of vendors, customers can replace their TEM provider with a vendor that better suits their needs. In fact, this is the case: On average, contracts between customers and TEM vendors usually last between one to three years. Why do companies stick with one TEM provider for so little? Does the solution not meet the clients’ criteria?
Reasons why businesses switch TEM provider
There are several reasons that might drive a customer to search for a new Technology Expense Management solution. For starters, businesses may feel that the costs associated with the platform are not justified by the benefits.
A provider that charges high subscription fees while providing a low ROI – i.e. little reduction in cloud or telecom expenses – will not keep a client on for long. But why do such providers struggle with yielding the expected results?
Firstly, their platform may contain limited features. Nowadays, Technology Expense Management solutions are expected to provide visibility of your entire IT inventory, predict future expense and usage trends, manage mobile devices, and so on. Customers also need their provider to manage newer technologies such as 5G and IoT. To top it all off, TEM tools need to integrate with ERP systems as well as security solutions such as Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM).
If a TEM solution only contains basic expense tracking, and does not seamlessly integrate with other enterprise systems, it will not generate the expected savings.
A lackluster Technology Expense Management platform is not the only factor driving clients away: the quality of customer service is equally important to retain clients.
If the provider’s IT helpdesk fails to understand the customers’ needs or resolve issues quickly, clients will turn to competitors offering more proactive support. A provider capable of addressing each client’s unique requirements – even before the customer becomes aware of them – will build loyalty and stand out in a competitive market.
Nevertheless, a TEM business can provide a cutting-edge platform as well as an efficient helpdesk, and still lose clients to its competitors.
The reason for that is more commonplace than we would believe: Lack of consistency throughout the engagement. Which means that the TEM provider will deliver excellent service at certain moments and slack off at others, where the stakes are not as high…for the provider, not the client, that is.
To elaborate, a TEM provider will be the most proactive while signing a new contract, or during its renewal. Whereas its service will be more lackluster in the middle of the contract, which leaves the provider with an abundant amount of time to redeem itself before the renewal.
What differentiates Saaswedo from other competitors?
Since 2011, Saaswedo has been a renowned leader in the Technology Expense Management industry, with offices in Paris and in Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA).
Our platform is quick to deploy and is continuously updated to incorporate the latest technological trends.
Additionally, we handle tedious tasks such as cost allocation, catalog management, report control, and the import and quality control of data, enabling companies to focus on their core business.
Our professional TEM services deliver the following benefits:
- A TEM platform with optimal performance
- Savings of 10–30% through better contract management and the elimination of unnecessary expenses
- Project management to support your digital transition and ensure high-quality results
- Well-structured RFPs to compare solutions and select the best TEM provider
- Device management and security platforms to protect sensitive data
However, it is our IT helpdesk’s dedication that has drawn clients to our solution. We address the business needs of interdisciplinary teams, from the CIO to IT Asset managers. We meet our SLAs consistently throughout our engagement – and not only when convenient for us – and promptly respond to any requests via mail, phone, or ticket. The requests do not necessarily have to be technical: We will gladly reply to any questions asked out of curiosity.
Our helpdesk will quickly solve any issue related to the platform itself and your devices’ hardware – configuration, repairs, end-of-life management, etc. – either remotely or by sending an expert on your premises. Our support services are 100% customizable depending on your needs, and we will adjust them based on your business growth. Our NPS score of 38, a 12% increase, is evidence of the trust we have earned from most of our clients.
In short: Our values are centered around delivering service first, with a strong emphasis on proactivity and reliability. We believe in providing custom-made solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring consistent data quality and maximizing ROI. By prioritizing these principles, we strive to build lasting partnerships based on trust and exceptional performance.
Our NPS score of 38, a 12% increase, is evidence of the trust we have earned from most of our clients.