Mobile networks, devices and budgets have always been challenging for businesses to control and support. Mobile devices are with their users all the time, they support both business and personal life through applications and the internet; and commonly they sit outside of secure, corporate IT networks. To compound matters further, they’re more prone to loss and damage than all other forms of IT hardware and they’re easy to resell.
Unlike most IT expenditure, mobile costs are also highly sensitive to end user behaviour. Controlling that behaviour whilst also ensuring employees remain productive is both difficult to achieve and resource intensive. The way we use our mobile phones also varies dramatically from user to user, and it’s extremely difficult to draw clear boundaries between personal and business use.
ABOUT THE TECH FUND
Tech funds are a virtual pot of money that allows you to purchase products and services at any time without the need to make additional capital investment. The fund itself is created when mobile networks add “extra” costs on top of your underlying mobile network charges, then refund an element of this extra cost in the form of the “tech fund”.
The tech fund allows businesses to pay for mobile devices out of a pre-agreed pool of money. Until a few years ago, most IT teams just about balanced their mobile device budget by sweating mobile assets. This was done by introducing ‘BYOD’ and avoiding large scale smartphone roll outs. However, for most IT decision makers those days are over and the impact of increasing mobile data consumption, more expensive smartphones and implementing effective device security is now a growing, visible change.
THE FOUR SIGNIFICANT MOBILE CHALLENGES
INCREASING MOBILE DEVICE COSTS
That can no longer be subsidised by network 'tech funds'
INCREASING MOBILE DATA CONSUMPTION
Driving greater management challenges & increased airtime costs with more frequent 'bill shock'
BYOD PROGRAMS FAILING TO DELIVER EXPECTED SAVINGS
Driven by higher IT support costs coupled with lower BYOD adoption rates & device purchase savings
INCREASING MOBILE SECURITY, DATA LEAKAGE & COMPLIANCE RISKS
Leading to increased pressure to issue corporate devices, as well as increased security and support costs
IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH MOBILE BUDGETS, THEN YOU NEED A PLAN
These challenges are rapidly driving up mobile costs and can no longer be hidden as part of mobile network charges. To address this challenge Finance and IT teams are going to need to work together with a strategic plan for mobile management and procurement.
As the real challenges of administrating and securing personal devices for business use continue to grow, and the forecasted cost benefits associated with ‘BYOD’ fail to materialise. More and more large regulated businesses need to expand their UK corporate device programs.
Mobile Tech Funds Prevent Effective Mobile Management & Lead To Overspending
Tech Funds Tie Customers Into Purchasing Locked Devices From Their Mobile Provider
Tech Funds Tie Customers Into Flexible Contracts With Unnecessary Spend & Term Commitments
Tech Funds Encourage Hidden IT Spending And Remove Governance And Accountability
Tech Funds Distort Business Technology Investments And Remove Much Needed Flexibility
Will you carry on overpaying for mobile services and devices, locking your business into inflexible and outdated mobile contracts and commitments, in the hope of hiding a growing mobile device expenditure challenge? Or, will you face up to this device funding challenge, restructure your mobile contracts and put in place a clear strategy for mobile device and airtime purchasing and investment?
Traditionally carriers bundle devices & airtime into one contract, meaning you have a bill that covers device cost, call minutes, texts and data. This allows carriers to hide costs and provide you with additional items you may not require.
Our airtime agreements allow you to un-bundle devices & airtime whilst simplifying costs & contracts. We can also provide multi-network contracts ensuring your staff have the best coverage for their location.
Get in touch today to find out more.
