Wireless and wired TEM are conceptually the same. The idea is that managing things better – both internally and with outside vendors – will save money. Lots of money. There also are side benefits, such as better security and an all-around improvement in efficiency. TEM enables organizations to drive more advantageous deals with carriers and create better policies for their employees.

The two disciplines are different under the covers, however, simply because the workings of wired and wireless technology and the industries that support them are so different. And, since wireless/cellular has become a corporate mainstay so recently, there are more unique nooks and crannies of savings to explore.

Like many new endeavors, the early wins of wireless TEM – the low-hanging fruit of savings – will generate more dramatic benefits. Indeed, it seems that wireless may be the best place to start a TEM program. Last week, eChannelLine reported on comments by Compass senior consultant John Lytle on the efficacy of an organization getting its corporate arms around its wireless spending.

TEM in general and wireless TEM in particular are promising because there is so much waste that can be wrung out of the proceses. On the wireless side, organizations are increasingly decentralized. There is a tremendous amount of duplication and inefficiency. Carriers have no reason to educate their corporate customers. What is learned during the process will enable organizations to create better policies for employees. Like many new endeavors, the early wins – the low-hanging fruits of savings – will generate the highest-level benefits.

The rationale for outsourcing wireless TEM is deconstructed in this blog posting by TEM service provider Voceo. President Noel Huelsenbeck says the mobile area has tremendous potential because rates change more fluidly than in the wired world. The piece ends on a very honest note: He acknowledges that the savings will melt away if the organization must dedicate an internal person to the task in addition to paying the outsourced organization, and asks for input from users.

It is important that every organization that has a substantial mobile workforce -- or encourages people to use their cell phones and smartphones for business -- clearly consider wireless TEM. The first step is to understand just how complex the contracts and other operational aspects of a cellular program are. That is likely to convince decision makers of the need for TEM. Indeed, it's a valuable exercise even if no program is implemented.