As the Telecom Expense Management solution space continues to evolve, companies such as Veramark Technologies (News - Alert), Inc. are developing value through synergies of expert knowledge and leading edge technology.
I recently had the opportunity ask Tony Mazzullo, president and CEO of Veramark Technologies, Inc, about the industry and the direction Veramark is moving in 2009.
Veramark offers for Call Accounting; Invoice Processing and Auditing; Invoice Payment; Inventory Audit and Optimization; Wireless Management; Asset and Inventory Management; Procurement and Order Provisioning.
Who has influenced you most in your career and why?
I can’t single out any one person as having had the most influence on my career. I’ve been influenced by many people, and I continue to learn from people I work with, from my customers, from industry analysts, and from lessons learned in our ever-changing business environment. You can’t be successful in today’s economy without being open to new influences, listening to others, and always seeking to understand new concepts.
What excites you most about our industry?
Telecom Expense Management (TEM) is an exciting industry these days for a number of reasons. First, it’s rapidly evolving. Nothing is more exciting than change, because it keeps you on your toes, rewards innovation and agility, and forces you to think strategically. Veramark has been energized by the opportunities presented by change in the industry, and we look forward to meeting the challenges ahead. Secondly, is all about delivering value through the synergies of expert knowledge and leading edge technology – both of which Veramark possesses in abundance. And finally, it’s about creating value. Nothing is more satisfying than delivering solutions that improve productivity, save money, and provide competitive advantage – especially in today’s economy. “Win-win” is an overused expression, but it accurately describes a successful solution – positive results for us and for our customers. I’m excited about being able to provide those kinds of solutions.
What areas do you wish you could devote more energy/attention/resources?
We have a solid business strategy at Veramark and are making investments in areas that will provide very high value products and services for our customers. We are committed to expanding our role as a leading provider of and to developing expertise in the broader, emergeing market of information technology expense management (iTEM). Over time, I anticipate that we will shift increasing resources into ito reflect the changing expense management needs of our customers.
What pain does your company take away for customers?
The pain our customers are feeling, simply stated, is that money is scarce and technology is expensive. Organizations are struggling to keep up with the technological and process change I mentioned above with very limited financial resources.
Veramark helps customers “find” additional capital by removing inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses from day-to-day operations. The reduction in expenses is being used to either improve profitability or to fund new technology to drive future sales and profitability. Either way, we help our customer get more for less when it comes to information technology and communications networks.
We take away the pain for these customers by providing solutions that give them visibility and control over their complex communications networks, allowing them to gain all the benefits of these technologies at lower cost.
How did your company get to where it is and where is it headed?
Veramark is a leading provider of solutions because we provide market-leading enabling software technology coupled with expert services.
We’ve expanded our services and solutions to keep pace with changes in communications technology, business processes, and best practices. Clearly, the trend is toward unified communications that leverage digital networks, which completely changes the expense management landscape. Our customers need help dealing with increasingly complex environment and processes - multiple vendors, billing and payment processes, contracts, fixed and mobile asset management, etc.
New technologies and techniques are required to measure, minimize and allocate costs associated with complex communication networks. That’s where we’re headed as a solution provider.
What does your dream mobile device look like?
Veramark isn’t in the business of creating mobile devices, but if we were, it would integrate with the corporate network in much the same way as the wireline for the purpose of call accounting and expense management.
If you were forced to head Nokia, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, GM, Cisco, Nortel (News - Alert) or the US… Which would you pick and why?
It would be interesting to head any of these companies. Each has specific strengths to build upon and challenges to overcome.
Poof – you become President Obama’s top advisor on tech. What should he do to foster more technology use in the US and abroad?
First of all, my goal would not necessary be “more technology use,” but rather smart use of technology. Technology is a means to an end. In business, the smart use of technology leads to higher efficiency, greater productivity, improved accuracy, more opportunity for high paying employment, competitive advantage. Poor technology, or good technology thrown at problems it isn’t meant to solve, is simply a waste of money. I’ve been in the business of applying technology to solve business problems for over 20 years and selecting technology properly matched to the business problem is the key to success and results.
How has open-source changed our space and what more can it do for us?
I don’t believe that open source is a compelling issue for our customers. Technology is an enabler to a solution, not the solution itself.
When does Microsoft become a major force in communications?
Microsoft is already a major force in communications.
As I see it, there is an ecosystem of suppliers that defines the market for communications. Each company has core strengths – Apple for entertainment, RIM and Nokia for mobile devices, and Microsoft for enabling software platforms. Each company offers value but each can be replaced if they fail to keep pace with the market’s most current concept of value.
What surprised you most about 2008?
The meltdown of the financial industry was not something that I could have predicted. Assuming we need it (and who couldn’t use some extra cash), what do we tell Congress to get a multibillion dollar US government communications bailout?
I believe that US government bailouts are fundamentally misguided. It seems to me that capitalist markets are based on changing value propositions and product innovation. Companies that don’t keep pace, have a poor business model, or produce products that people don’t feel compelled to buy (General Motors (News - Alert) for example) cannot be maintained through government bailouts. Let the bankruptcy courts reorganize failed companies and let the market pick the winners.
Government money is better spent developing new markets and industries that will assure our future rather than propping up companies with flawed business models.
Is the green movement dead now that oil is plummeting in cost?
The green movement began before the spike in energy costs last year and it will continue despite the subsequent drop in prices. The green movement is driven by many factors including oil prices; it is related to the alarming change in our climate, dwindling natural resources, population growth, and ultimately the need for a sustainable economy. We are beginning to recognize the opportunities of green industries – they create jobs, drive technologies with widespread applications, and help ensure stable growth for the future by disengaging business potential from volatile energy prices. Far from dead, the green movement is alive and well. Because it is a market-driven phenomenon, it responds to forces of supply and demand. It may be moving more slowly when oil process are low, but it is still moving in the right direction.
How does IP communications help in a recession?
Short answer: expense reduction. The cost of moving voice and video packets across the IP network is far cheaper than traditional wireline communications. And of course digital communications opens up a new world of capabilities that boost business productivity and generate value. The long answer is: all this new value isn’t free. Digital communications eats up bandwidth, may require capital investment, and calls for new management solutions to keep costs in check. Even so, the right telecom expense management solution can be self-funding and can pay for itself in as little as one year. ROI for Veramark is typically 2:1 or greater. That’s great in any economy, and especially in a recession.
You are speaking at ITEXPO which takes place Feb 2-4 2009 in Miami. Why do people need to hear what you say, live and in person?
First, not all people need to hear what I have to say – only the decision makers who can benefit from Veramark solutions. ITEXPO (News - Alert) provides a great venue for me to reach that audience. They have the most to gain from our telecom expense management solutions, especially early adopters of leading edge communications technology. And why in person? Is there a better way to convey important information?
Make some wild predictions about 2009/10.
I expect that we will remain in a recession through 2009 and into 2010. A catalyst is required to stimulate new business and new markets, and I don’t see that catalyst emerging any time soon.
An emerging new market, such as alternative energy and energy conservation, might provide the spark for economic recovery. For example, the need for conservation might fuel development of an intelligent power grid that could monitor every electronic device in your home or business and send data back to the power company to regulate supply and demand automatically. High electric costs would drive this kind of innovation; the consequences would be new companies, new jobs, and a resurgence of economic expansion.
Rich Tehrani is President and Group Editor-in-Chief of TMC. In addition, he is the Chairman of the world�s best-attended communications conference, INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO (ITEXPO). He is also the author of his own communications and technology blog.Edited by
Tim Gray
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