NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: AMY SCHURR ON IT LEADERSHIP 11/09/04 Today's focus: Negotiating telecom contracts
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Resources to help you negotiate telecom contracts * Links related to IT Leadership * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Cisco Systems Special Report: Bridging the Gap; Enterprise ROI IT professionals today don't indulge in the latest-greatest technology for their own sake; instead they concentrate efforts on projects that are most likely to help achieve business goals. Read about the challenges and opportunities when IT starts 'bridging the gap' and directly contributes to enterprise ROI. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87950 _______________________________________________________________ WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DATA CENTER? Sign up for Network World's Data Center Newsletter in which Johna Till Johnson and the team at Nemertes Research will provide an ongoing assessment of current data center business drivers and future trends; concrete advice and guidance for IT executives seeking to consolidate data centers, improve disaster recovery, and deploy virtualization techniques. Click here to subscribe: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87881 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Negotiating telecom contracts By Amy Schurr Many of you who work for companies that budget on a calendar year basis are knee-deep in spreadsheets as you plan for 2005 IT expenses. After staffing, telecom generally gobbles the largest chunk of IT spending. With that in mind, here are some resources from the pages of Network World that can help you pinpoint potential for savings. No matter what you're negotiating, one of the most important principles is leverage. The more you have, the more likely you are to receive advantageous contract terms and rates from carriers. In order to get that leverage, you have to be willing to walk away from a deal and give some of you business to a second carrier. Hank Levine, an attorney with Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby, represents large companies in their negotiations with carriers. He offers tips on getting more bang for your telecom bucks in the interview at <http://www.nwfusion.com/research/2003/1201howtotelecom.html> Columnist Johna Till Johnson provides a refresher on good negotiation practices. Go to <http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/072604johnson.html> if you've forgotten why you need to spend so much time crafting an RFP and when to get started on the onerous task. And for ideas on other ways to cut costs, see Johnson's column at <http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/0209johnson.html> Voice and data rates have dropped over the years as carriers duke it out for your business. Read about the rates carriers have been offering at <http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/070504pricewar.html> and <http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0329specialfocus.html> It also helps to keep up to date on the newest plans the service providers are offering. For example, Sprint recently introduced an all-in-one combo plan for wireless, data and traditional voice, which is advantageous towards meeting your minimum annual commitment. Find out more at <http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/092004specialfocus.html> As wireless becomes more prevalent through the enterprise, also consider flat-rate plans that let you pay as you go for wireless service with no overage penalties. Go to <http://www.nwfusion.com/research/2004/1018wireless.html> to see how this arrangement could benefit your company. In the next newsletter, I'll pass along tips for negotiating software contracts. _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Amy Schurr Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by SBC Gimme Shelter! Converged Services Spell Relief For Beleaguered Network Managers Switched IP networks are rapidly becoming the corporate communications architecture of choice. By converging voice, data and video onto IP telephony platforms and Virtual Private Networks, enterprises can supply bandwidth when and where end users need it, while significantly lowering administrative and equipment costs. Click here to download this Whitepaper now http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88033 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the IT Leadership newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/itlead/index.html _______________________________________________________________ Security is no longer about simply keeping the bad guys out Discover how intelligence and insight can prevent attacks and unauthorized uses of corporate information. Tune in to take advantage of new technologies that provide proactive security at the application layer. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88066 _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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