The results of a carrier
value assessment, whether they are sub-par or super-par, represent
game-changers for the buyer organization, according to Alsbridge Inc., a
benchmarking, sourcing and transformation advisory firm. The firm’s latest
report- Assessing The Value of Network Carrier Relationships-explains how carrier
value assessments can help buyers ascertain and gain real, sustainable and
business strategy-aligned value from their carrier partners on par with market
standards.
“Today's enterprises struggle with assessing the value - or lack thereof
- that their relationships and contracts with their carriers actually deliver
in support of their strategic, cost, and operational goals,” says Chip Wagner,
CEO at Alsbridge.
Alsbridge benchmarking data proves
that even though carrier price points are declining, the 30 to 40 percent price
spread it regularly sees during client engagements makes it clear that the
savings aren't being actively passed on to customers. Even when buyers ask for
and receive price concessions, most lack the benchmarking data-based knowledge
to help them determine what the market will bear, resulting in less than
optimal savings.
“It's up to buyers to take the home field advantage with carrier value assessments,”
adds Wagner. “To ensure alignment with strategic imperatives, the buyers must
instill carrier accountability and make certain pricing, service levels, and
terms and conditions on par with market standards.”
Alsbridge recommends enterprises undertake comprehensive carrier value
assessments every 12 to 18 months. The assessments should address revenue,
expense/profit, operations and image, both in and of themselves, and in
relation to current carrier practices and industry trends.
Their next step, according to the report, should be engaging in a multiple
vendor RFP at least 12 months before their contract expires, unless the carrier
value assessment results drive RFP tendering farther in advance of agreement
expiration. The RFP should include all full-service and business grade
providers, and specialty players as appropriate, in order to enable evaluation
of all proposed solutions, service levels, and contract terms.
For further details on how buyer organizations can ascertain and gain real,
sustainable and business strategy-aligned value from their carrier partners,
download the complete whitepaper Assessing
The Value of Network Carrier Relationships.
About
Alsbridge Inc.
Alsbridge is a global consulting firm that helps companies transform and
optimize the way they purchase, manage and leverage technology and business
processes. We have over 200 team members on 3 continents serving
over 200 clients a year including more than 40% of the Fortune 500.
Alsbridge has helped hundreds of companies reduce costs and get more value from
their vendors. Our experienced consultants leverage proprietary tools and
information databases to identify and engage the optimal vendors for your
situation, negotiate best practice terms at fair market prices, and improve the
way you work with your service providers. Alsbridge clients utilize the
most cost effective and value added sources globally for IT infrastructure
services, network carrier services, hardware and software, application support
and development, business processes and cloud services.
EDITORS/WRITERS: Journalists interested in covering the
above topic or interviewing one of our SMEs please contact:
Scott Tims
Office: 214-378-7970 ext. 278
stims@thepointgroup.com
www.alsbridge.com
