Self-service cuts mobility costs

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15 August 2016

Up to 70% of chief procurement officers are looking to invest in self service to reduce costs.

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Cost reduction is the leading priority for CPOs worldwide

According to the Deloitte Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey 2016CPOs are looking to digital solutions to achieve savings, with an investment in self-service being undertaken by 70% of respondents worldwide. 

The findings are no surprise to VoicePlus managing director, Michael Giffney.

 "At face value, employee self-service procurement presents as a scary scenario for business, but with the digital technology available it is a more secure, more efficient and less expensive option than the alternative centralised labour-intensive model."

Productivity gains are the most obvious outcome of self-service, and then businesses become aware of all the other procurement benefits, according to Giffney.

Download eBook: What is a Managed Mobility Service?

Fulfilment speed improves by 50%

The most obvious improvement which everyone will experience is fulfilment speed, with self-service on average cutting fulfilment times in half.

"Before moving to self-service procurement it will typically take up to two weeks for an employee to receive a new mobile phone in an Australian enterprise business.

"A typical scenario is for the employee to first have to download and complete a form, and have it signed off by their line manager. Then it will be emailed to a centralised location - often the IT department - who will collate the orders and forward them to Finance for approval. When finance-approved, an order will be placed with a supplier, and when the device is finally delivered it will go to IT, who will eventually transfer it to the end user.

"With mobile self-service - such as VoicePlus' Atrium portal - it is possible for a device to be delivered to a VIP end-user within 2 to 4 hours. Even our standard service will see the device delivered next business day."

Automation will reduce headcount

A clear cost saving arising from self-service is achieved by automating processes which are otherwise labour-intensive.  Typically moving to self-service will allow at least one full-time position to be redeployed, says Giffney.

Most self-service technologies will also automate approval gathering and cost allocation, make ownership costs transparent, auto-inform the asset registerand enforce corporate compliance.

Employees embrace self service

Employees are very positive about self-service portals, appreciating the ability to self-select and to order whenever it suits them 24/7, according to  Giffney.

"As consumers we are already buying groceries online, renewing our car registration, doing our banking, and buying clothes. We are comfortable with googling for information, making a decision and placing an order - all without talking to another human being. We are actually using self-service in so many areas of our lives that it is a familiar routine practice. 

"In the past employees may have been a barrier to self-service but today they appreciate being 'trusted' to self-select their mobility. Being able to place their own orders not only engages employees but also gives a transparency to the costs of what is being ordered and encourages

personal responsibility."

eBook: 12 strategies for reducing enterprise mobility costs

Self service is one strategy for reducing mobility costs.  Learn 11 more savings strategies with our free guide.

Free 12-step guide to cut mobile costs


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