Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions like those from Tangoe and Calero are crucial for businesses to manage and optimize their telecommunications expenses. We'll compare Tangoe and Calero to determine the best TEM solution, focusing on their unique features and capabilities to see which one offers the most comprehensive and efficient service.
A Quick Overview of Tangoe and Calero
What is Tangoe?
Tangoe provides Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions that help businesses manage and optimize their telecom expenses through AI-powered tools and global carrier integrations. Their services cover the entire telecom lifecycle, from order and inventory management to expense auditing and payment.
One unique feature of Tangoe's TEM solution is its AI-powered automation, which identifies billing errors and drives efficiencies. Additionally, Tangoe offers a centralized platform that integrates with a wide range of business systems, providing detailed reporting and analytics for comprehensive expense visibility and control.
What is Calero?
Calero specializes in simplifying complex technology needs by providing managed technology solutions that offer visibility, control, and optimization. They focus on telecom expense management, managed mobility, SaaS management, unified communications, and market data management.
One unique feature of Calero's TEM solution is its wireline eBonding, which integrates with telecom carriers globally to reduce manual ordering processes and accelerate digital transformation. 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.
Features of Tangoe and Calero
Similarities
Both Tangoe and Calero offer robust Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions, focusing on optimizing telecom expenses through comprehensive lifecycle management. Their services share several key features that streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
- Invoice Management: Automated capture, processing, and validation of invoices against contracts and service usage.
- Expense Management: Tools to aggregate and analyze telecom expenses, enforce spending controls, and generate financial reports.
- Audit & Optimization: Services to identify cost-saving opportunities, manage vendor disputes, and ensure contract compliance.
- Inventory Management: Visibility into telecom assets, usage tracking, and error reduction through automation.
- Order Management: Simplified processes for getting quotes, submitting service orders, and managing telecom changes.
Differences
While both Tangoe and Calero offer robust Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions, they differ significantly in their unique features and services. Here are the key differences:
- AI-Powered Tools: Tangoe leverages AI for end-to-end lifecycle management, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
- SaaS Management: Calero provides a dedicated SaaS management solution to optimize software environments, including compliance and expense management.
- Global Carrier Ecosystem: Tangoe supports a large number of global carriers, offering extensive integration capabilities.
- Market Data Management: Calero offers solutions to automate and streamline market data management, ensuring clarity and compliance.
- Wireline eBonding: Calero integrates with telecom carriers globally to reduce manual ordering processes, a feature not emphasized by Tangoe.
User Interface and Usability
Calero's user interface is clean and well-organized, featuring a clear header navigation menu and multiple sections that are easy to navigate. The use of links and call-to-action buttons is consistent, making it straightforward for users to find the information they need. The user experience is designed to be informative and user-friendly, with comprehensive information about Calero's solutions and services, along with easy access to resources like blogs, newsletters, and podcasts.
Tangoe's user interface is also clean and well-organized, with a top navigation bar that categorizes services, solutions, industries, partners, resources, and company information. The main content area is divided into sections with headings, subheadings, and call-to-action buttons, making it easy to navigate and find relevant information. The user experience is designed to be engaging, with a mix of text, visuals, and interactive elements to keep the user engaged.
Overall, both companies offer high usability, but Tangoe's interactive elements and detailed case studies may provide a slight edge in user engagement.
Tangoe and Calero Pricing
Tangoe's pricing details are not explicitly listed on their website. Instead, they emphasize the benefits and features of their services, encouraging potential customers to request a demo for customized pricing. This approach suggests that Tangoe offers tailored solutions based on specific business needs, focusing on ROI and cost savings.
Similarly, Calero does not provide specific pricing information on their website. They also encourage potential clients to contact them directly or request a demo for detailed pricing. This indicates that Calero, like Tangoe, offers customized pricing based on the unique requirements of each business.
Both companies follow a similar approach to pricing, making it difficult to determine which has better pricing without direct consultation.
Comparing Tangoe and Calero to Lightyear
Lightyear offers a telecom operating system designed to automate the telecom lifecycle using data-driven software. Their platform drives savings across procurement, inventory management, and bill payment, providing a comprehensive solution for optimizing telecom operations.
Pros of Lightyear
Lightyear automates the telecom lifecycle with data-driven software, driving savings across procurement, inventory management, and bill payment.
- Time Savings: Achieve over 70% time savings on telecom procurement and management tasks.
- Cost Efficiency: Realize more than 20% cost savings by leveraging proprietary data and competitive pricing.
- Comprehensive Quoting: Access over 1 million price quote data points from a vast network of over 1,200 global carriers.
- Centralized Management: Streamline procurement, vendor selection, contract signing, and renewal shopping through a single, user-friendly dashboard.
- White-Glove Service: Benefit from a dedicated team that handles all communications with ISPs, ensuring a seamless experience.
Lightyear's Pricing
Lightyear offers custom pricing tailored to your specific telecom needs, ensuring you get the best possible options with minimal effort. Book a demo with Lightyear to see how we can optimize your telecom operations.
What Are Others Saying?
Tangoe Reviews
Overall, users have given Tangoe a rating of 4.5 out of 5, appreciating its ease of use and effective expense management, but finding the mobile app and dashboard complex. Here are some specific reviews:
- "The mobile app is user-friendly and shows a lot of data. However, the portal lacks customization, and customer service could be better." - Verified User in Accounting, 3.5/5
- "The application is effective for managing daily business expenses and orders. It integrates well with e-commerce platforms and provides detailed reports. However, the portal lacks customization features." - Shravan G., 3.5/5
- "The app allows for mobile use without needing a desktop. The software is simple and merges everything on one page. Initially, the orientation was overwhelming, but it improved over time." - Matt H., 3.5/5
Find more of Tangoe reviews on G2!
Calero Reviews
Overall, users have given Calero a rating of 4.2 out of 5. Customers found it difficult to manipulate aggregated information and experienced a lack of communication with the assigned team.
- "The presentation doesn’t flow well, making it hard to identify trends." - Nagy F., 4.0/5
- "The amount of workload on employees affects the attention given to customers." - Verified User in Consumer Services, 4.0/5
- "Issues with VDI reconfiguration taking a long time to resolve." - Verified User in Utilities, 4.0/5
Find more of Calero reviews on G2!
Lightyear Reviews
Our users have given Lightyear an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5. Customers find our platform incredibly useful for its efficiency and comprehensive data access. Here are some highlights from the reviews:
- "The perfect resource for sourcing anything in the telecom ecosystem." - Verified User
- "Lightyear is a game changer." - Henry C.
- "No more Internet sourcing headaches!" - Jeremy H.
Find more of our reviews on G2!
Why choose one over the other?
Why Choose Tangoe Over Calero:
- Consumers who prioritize AI-powered tools and extensive global carrier support might prefer Tangoe. This is ideal for large enterprises and mid-market companies looking for comprehensive telecom lifecycle management.
Why Choose Calero Over Tangoe:
- Consumers who need advanced inventory tracking and seamless wireline eBonding integration might opt for Calero. This suits large enterprises and IT departments focused on accurate inventory management and efficient procurement processes.
Why Choose Lightyear Over Calero and Tangoe:
- Consumers seeking significant time and cost savings through automation and data-driven software should choose Lightyear. This is perfect for enterprises and businesses aiming to optimize telecom operations with minimal manual effort.
Tangoe, Calero, or Lightyear: Which is the best platform for you?
Choosing the right Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solution depends on your specific needs and priorities. While Tangoe and Calero offer robust features and capabilities, we believe Lightyear stands out for its automation and data-driven approach. Any of these platforms would be a solid choice, but we recommend Lightyear for its significant time and cost savings, making telecom management effortless and efficient.
