BENCHMARK OF THE MONTH
Aberdeen Study: 4 is Wireless Management's Magic Number March 5, 2007 (Vol. 28, No. 5) Less is more, at least when it comes to the AberdeenGroup’s selection of enterprises as “best in class” at reducing the cost of managing wireless spend. Enterprises that say they actively manage 89% or more of their wireless costs almost always require employees to select from a menu of four or fewer mobile devices, rely on four or fewer carriers and use four or fewer service plans. Their reward: The cost of managing wireless for these enterprises is almost two-thirds that of the average enterprise, according to the latest study from the Aberdeen Group. Communication technology professionals from more than 135 enterprises participated in Aberdeen’s study, “The Real Cost of Enterprise Wireless Mobility,” the findings of which were delivered in a keynote presentation at Voice Report’s Mobile Explosion conference late last month. The enterprises in Aberdeen’s study spend an average $3.7 million for voice and data wireless services annually, compared to $30 million for wireline, Joe Basili, senior research director for the Boston-based research firm, told the audience. But to manage their wireless services, including service order management, help desk and plan optimization, enterprises spend an average 10.2 times more on wireless than wireline, he noted. But not those Aberdeen labeled “best in class.” To manage wireless, these enterprises spend an average 7.6 times what they spend to manage wireline, Aberdeen found. Meanwhile, the group classified as “laggard” for managing 55% or less of their wireless spend were predictably the least cost effective. To manage wireless, this group spends an average 12.7 times what they spend managing wireline. ( | 
