Telecom Expense Management Featured Article

Telecom Expense Management Space Enhanced with Nine Telecom's Dataflow Acquisition

Communications within the enterprise is an important business initiative, regardless of the channel enabling collaboration. With the growing number of channels and devices supporting communications for companies of all sizes, there is an increased need for telecom expense management. 

This Manda Deals article focused on growth within the telecom expense management space, as Nine Telecom Group has just announced the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in Dataflow Communications. The transaction amount has not been disclosed. 

The Kent-based company’s acquisition is reportedly aimed at replacing the ‘Billie’ billing platform which the company acquired through the 2009 purchase of Club Communications. A subsidiary of Nine Telecom Group, Nine Telecom delivers technologies for telecom customers in the business mobile, VoIP and outbound call recording spaces. 

For its part in telecom expense management efforts, Dataflow Communications offers managed billing services for communications providers. Dataflow owner, Fran Edwards shared that the perfect acquisition partner for telecom expense management provider, Dataflow, has been found in Nine Telecom Group. 

According to James Palmer, chief executive officer of Nine Telecom, the Billie platform lacked the necessary capabilities Nine Telecom believes are essential for the future of the independent reseller focused on telecom expense management. The solution also lacked the development capacity to emerge as a proven telecom expense management solution, forcing the company to look for an alternative. 

Palmer noted that Nine Telecom had two options: to start from the beginning and build a new telecom expense management service, or identify a product in the marketplace to acquire. The company reviewed the marketplace over the past 12 months, determining that Dataflow and its Web-based Cascade billing service in particular, was the right platform for Nine Telecom resellers. 

The terms of the deal dictate that all existing Dataflow staff will stay with the business at its current base in Somerset. 

Edwards went on to highlight that with this acquisition, the future for Dataflow is assured, as well as its growth potential. The company will be allowed to continue to provide the same quality service to its clients, retaining its entire staff while focusing on the development of the Cascade WEB billing system to support telecom expense management efforts. With the backing and support of a much larger and very successful group, this solution set is sure to continue to evolve. To secure its focus on telecom expense management, Nine Telecom is comprised of three divisions, including Nine Telecom Group, Nine Wholesale and Shipton Communications.

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Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein