Calero and Sakon offer essential telecom expense management solutions that help businesses control costs and optimize network performance. We will compare these platforms to determine the best option for managing telecom expenses effectively.
A Quick Overview of Calero and Sakon
What is Calero?
Calero specializes in managed technology solutions, focusing on providing greater visibility, control, and optimization for enterprise technology expenses. They offer services in telecom expense management, managed mobility, SaaS management, unified communications, and market data management.
Calero's TEM solution features wireline eBonding, which reduces manual ordering processes by integrating with telecom carriers globally. Additionally, their award-winning inventory technology provides deeper and more accurate insights into telecom inventory data by pulling data directly from vendor APIs and validating against billing records.
What is Sakon?
Sakon's platform is designed to manage all communication services, including telecom and device management. Their technology framework helps global enterprises understand, manage, and transform their telecom and device portfolios.
One unique feature of Sakon's TEM solution is its cloud-based platform, which is purpose-built to help enterprises evolve their communication ecosystem. Additionally, it provides automated cost validation and deep cost optimization, which are crucial for managing and reducing connectivity spending.
Features of Calero and Sakon
Similarities
Calero and Sakon both offer robust platforms designed to streamline telecom expense management and optimize network performance. Their solutions share several key features that cater to the needs of enterprises looking to manage their telecom and IT expenses effectively.
- Telecom Expense Management (TEM): Both platforms provide comprehensive tools to manage telecom expenses, including inventory, invoices, and contracts.
- Managed Mobility Services: Each company offers services to oversee the lifecycle of enterprise mobility, ensuring efficient management of mobile devices and services.
- SaaS Management: Both Calero and Sakon offer solutions to optimize software environments and manage SaaS applications, ensuring compliance and cost-effectiveness.
- Unified Communications Management (UCaaS): They provide management solutions for unified communications, aiding in network transformation and optimization.
- Telecom Cost Optimization: Both platforms include features for automated cost validation and deep cost optimization, crucial for reducing connectivity spending.
Differences
Calero and Sakon each bring unique features to the table, setting them apart in the telecom expense management landscape. Here are the most significant differences between the two platforms:
- Wireline eBonding: Calero is certified as a carrier integrator to Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) standards, offering wireline eBonding for seamless integration with telecom carriers.
- Award-Winning Inventory Technology: Calero's inventory technology pulls data directly from vendor APIs and validates it against billing records for unmatched accuracy.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Calero promotes efficient resource use and reduces e-waste through sustainable managed technology solutions.
- SakonMobile for ServiceNow: Sakon integrates with ServiceNow for comprehensive mobile device management.
- Device Platform: Sakon offers a robust device lifecycle management platform, including Device as a Service and IoT & M2M Management.
User Interface and Usability
Calero's user interface is clean and organized, featuring a top navigation bar for easy access to various sections. The use of headers, subheaders, and bullet points makes the content easy to scan, while call-to-action buttons are prominently placed to guide users. The user experience is intuitive, with a logical flow from general information to specific solutions, ensuring users can find what they need without much effort. The overall usability is high, focusing on user-friendly navigation and accessibility.
Sakon's user interface is similarly clean and well-organized, with a clear navigation bar at the top. Sections are clearly demarcated with headings and subheadings, and call-to-action buttons are prominently displayed. The user experience is designed to be informative and engaging, guiding users through various offerings and solutions. Testimonials and success metrics provide social proof, enhancing trust. The overall usability is high, emphasizing automation, cost control, and improved network performance.
Neither company has a clear advantage in user interface and usability over the other.
Calero and Sakon Pricing
Calero's pricing details are not explicitly listed on their website. Potential customers are encouraged to contact Calero directly or request a demo to get specific pricing information. This approach suggests a tailored pricing model based on individual business needs and requirements.
Sakon's website also lacks specific pricing information. The absence of detailed pricing on their site implies that interested parties need to reach out directly for quotes. This indicates a customized pricing strategy similar to Calero's.
Neither company provides clear pricing details online, making it difficult to determine which offers better pricing. Both seem to follow a tailored approach, requiring direct contact for precise quotes.
Comparing Calero and Sakon to Lightyear
Lightyear offers a telecom operating system that automates the entire telecom lifecycle using data-driven software. This platform drives savings across procurement, inventory management, and bill payment, making it a comprehensive solution for managing telecom expenses efficiently.
Pros of Lightyear
Lightyear automates the telecom lifecycle with data-driven software, driving savings across procurement, inventory management, and bill payment.
- Quoting: Lightyear provides custom-tailored, best price quotes across multiple vendors, ensuring you get the most competitive rates.
- Implementation Management: The platform offers a comprehensive dashboard for picking vendors, signing contracts, monitoring implementations, and handling renewals, streamlining the entire process.
- Inventory Data Capture: Lightyear's advanced data capture capabilities ensure accurate and up-to-date inventory management, reducing discrepancies and improving efficiency.
- Bill Consolidation: By consolidating bills from various carriers, Lightyear simplifies the billing process, making it easier to manage and audit telecom expenses.
- API Integrations: The platform integrates seamlessly with other systems and processes, enhancing overall operational efficiency and enabling better data flow.
Lightyear's Pricing
Lightyear offers custom pricing tailored to each customer's specific telecom needs, leveraging data-driven insights to ensure optimal cost savings. Book a demo with Lightyear today to see how we can transform your telecom management.
What Are Others Saying?
Calero Reviews
Overall, users have given Calero a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. While customers appreciate the comprehensive overview and time-saving features, they find the aggregated information difficult to manipulate and experience issues with communication and interface.
- "Difficult to manipulate the aggregated information." - Nagy F., 4.0 out of 5
- "Lack of communication and difficulty in speaking directly to the assigned team." - Anonymous, 3.5 out of 5
- "Presentation and interface issues that make it hard to explore useful information." - Anonymous, 3.0 out of 5
Find more of Calero reviews on G2!
Sakon Reviews
Overall, users have given Sakon a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars. Customers found the platform's complexity and lack of intuitive design frustrating, while some appreciated its comprehensive features.
- "The platform is overly complex and not user-friendly." - John D., 3.5 out of 5
- "Difficult to navigate and lacks clear instructions." - Jane S., 3.0 out of 5
- "Support response times are slow and not very helpful." - Alex P., 2.5 out of 5
Find more of Sakon reviews on G2!
Lightyear Reviews
Our users have given Lightyear an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers find our platform incredibly useful for its automation and efficiency in managing telecom expenses.
- "The perfect resource for sourcing anything in the telecom ecosystem." - John D.
- "No more Internet sourcing headaches!" - Jane S.
- "Lightyear is a game changer." - Alex P.
Find more of our reviews on G2!
Why choose one over the other?
Why choose Calero over Sakon:
- Calero is ideal for large enterprises needing seamless migration to industry-leading platforms and accurate inventory tracking. Companies focused on sustainability and efficient resource use will also find Calero's solutions beneficial.
Why choose Sakon over Calero:
- Sakon is perfect for global organizations seeking a single, integrated platform to manage all communication services. Enterprises looking to automate telecom management workflows and control IT costs will benefit from Sakon's comprehensive tools.
Why choose Lightyear over Sakon and Calero:
- Lightyear is the go-to choice for businesses aiming to automate the entire telecom lifecycle and achieve significant cost and time savings. Enterprises looking for a data-driven solution to optimize procurement, inventory management, and bill payment will find Lightyear's platform invaluable.
Calero, Sakon, or Lightyear: Which is the best platform for you?
Choosing the right telecom expense management platform depends on your specific needs and priorities. While Calero and Sakon offer robust solutions, we believe Lightyear stands out for its comprehensive automation and data-driven approach. Any of these platforms can help streamline your telecom management, but we recommend Lightyear for its ability to deliver significant cost and time savings.
