Proximiti Announces MyTools, An Innovative Application for Benefits Management for Smart Phone, Tablet, and Personal Computer Users

TAMPA, FL – February 25, 2013
Proximiti Communications announced that its innovative MyTools application is now available for employers to better communicate with employees about benefits programs and providing helpful links to information and help sources.   Unlike applications and web sites from specific benefit providers, MyTools aggregates all of the information of various benefits in one easy to use app.   Set up allows employees to only view the benefits applicable to them.   Employees appreciate the immediate access to the information they need, when and where they need it.   Employers benefit from lower call volumes and the instant ability to update benefits programs in one place.

MyTools can buzz or otherwise alert an employee of important messages or calendar items that need attention and unlike a HR web site or e-mail is designed to get fast attention from users instead of waiting on users to log in and retrieve messages or visit web sites.

Gregg Smith, CEO of Proximiti comments:  “We designed MyTools with the assistance of benefits professionals including benefits consultants to meet the diverse needs of employees and employers.   MyTools works for any company, large or small and can be set up quickly with the assistance of Proximiti personnel.   It’s free for spouses and dependents who are often significant users of employee benefits.”

MyTools also includes helpful corporate tools as well including a phone book, human resources calendar, emergency contact information for employees and family members, and bulletin boards that allow for a wide range of message types including video and audio.   Employers are finding innovative ways of using MyTools including CEO’s recording video messages that can be viewed by employees on phones, PCs, or tablets.

Smith continues:  “If you forget a health insurance card, no problem, you can fax or e-mail it instantly from your phone in the tablet to your doctor.   This is just one simple example of how apps can simplify business management tasks and make employers more productive while providing important benefits to employees.”

Proximiti partners with benefits professionals to deliver MyTools to companies and their employees.   While a simple app to set up and use, it’s very powerful and can handle diverse needs.   MyTools users better appreciate the benefits they receive and have all of their data in one place.   There is no need to post bulletins in coffee rooms, instead, the data is instantly available on any smart phone, tablet, or PC.   MyTools is an indispensable part of any HR communications program and can even be used by benefits providers to introduce useful voluntary benefits, including video summaries and PDF forms.   Users can make a single click and be routed to enrollment engines managed by benefits consultants or their providers increasing take rates and can supplement traditional programs or make smaller employers profitable to offer voluntary benefits.

For more questions, call Mark Herring at 813-579-1003 or e-mail at mark.herring@proximiti.com.

TEMIA Recommends Employers Update Mobile Policies and Enforcement, in Response to NTBS Call for Ban on Driver Use of Mobile

The Telecom Expense Management Industry Association, the authoritative voice for Telecom Expense Management (TEM), Wireless Expense Management (WEM), Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Solutions Providers in related areas, is calling for employers to update their mobile policies and enforcement mechanisms.  

This comes after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTBS), called for a ban on driver use of personal electronic devices (PEDs).   An investigation into a 2010 highway accident with two deaths and 38 injuries found that a driver had sent 11 text messages preceding the multi-vehicle accident.  

More than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in accidents due to driver distractions.   A Virginia Tech study found that accidents are 163 times more likely if drivers text, e-mail, or access the Internet.   The NTBS recommendation applies to hands-free and hand-held phones, and it exceeds existing state laws on texting and mobile phone use while driving.  

Employers should not wait for government action. TEMIA recommends that employers review their mobile policies to manage risk in four areas:

• Danger from use of mobile devices while operating vehicles
• Acceptable use standards to limit company liability for inappropriate actions by employees
• Data on devices from session hijacking, malware, viruses or theft of devices
• Excessive spending

Gregg Smith, CEO of Proximiti Communications and software developer of CellTRAKR, a compliance management tool for companies, comments, "Companies are increasingly aware that if their employees are in accidents involving employee use of cell phones it is very likely that they will be named as a defendant in the lawsuit.   This is particularly true if the cell phone is necessary for employees to perform their jobs.   Therefore, it is imperative that companies adopt stringent policies.   They must also consider if they have tools to reduce risks and insure compliance with mobile policies."  

"For several years, we have been recommending that companies have explicit clauses in their wireless policy prohibiting ALL cell phone use while driving.   We also recommend all users sign an acceptable use policy.   This call for a ban on use while driving makes it more important to have the appropriate language and wireless policy whether it is a company with 2 employees or 20,000 employees.   Not having appropriate language in a mobile policy exposes companies to significant litigation risk in the event of employee accidents while using mobile devices," added John Perri, president of Comview Corporation.  

"Bans on texting and handheld cell phone use while driving can save lives; employers should not wait for new laws before they act.   Organizations need to understand that corporate liability for employees that get into accidents when they use devices while driving extends to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and individual liable plan employees.   Employers need to institute strong corporate wireless policies with clear mechanisms to enforce policy", stated Jim Elliott, telecom consultant with The Tellennium Group.  

Leo Berz, director professional services for Telecom at Ecova (www.ecova.com) added, "Proliferation and expanding use of wireless devices with proprietary data and client records require corporations to protect themselves.   Employers may also be liable for employee actions from harassing calls or accidents while driving.   Ecova recommends employers act to limit liability from wireless devices:  

1. Ensure collection of devices with removal of proprietary data when employees leave the company.
2. Develop a comprehensive Acceptable Use Policy (with regular updates) to clearly identify inappropriate use of devices.
3. Develop a program that requires and tracks employees’ acceptance of the Acceptable Use Policy.
4. Maintain a complete inventory of all wireless devices with monthly updates.
5. Make monthly usage and charges available to employees and their immediate supervisors to help curb costs."

TEM firms can help employers balance compliance monitoring with privacy concerns.   Cost savings can pay for the program by optimizing service plans and eliminating wasteful spending.   TEMIA members can help with policy updates and tools to monitor policy.  

TEMIA firms can help employers balance policy monitoring with privacy concerns.   Cost savings can pay for the program by optimizing service plans and eliminating wasteful spending.   Employers will see a solid ROI through policy updates, telecom cost reduction and risk mitigation from tools to monitor policy.  

About TEMIA
The largest Telecom Expense Management service providers founded TEMIA, the Telecom Expense Management Industry Association, in 2006.   Since that time, TEMIA has grown to 38 members with international corporate headquarters managing over $61 billion of telecom and data spend.  

TEMIA's mission is to raise awareness and knowledge of the values and benefits of Telecom Expense Management TEM, Wireless Expense Management WEM, and Mobile Device Management MDM solutions, to improve the quality and value of these solutions through the development of open industry standards, and industry knowledge among Solutions Providers, business partners, telecom service providers, and enterprise clients.  

Visit temia.org to learn more.

Proximiti Communications Presents Webinar on Behalf of the Telecom Expense Management Association

TAMPA, FL – December 7, 2011
Proximiti Communications is presenting "Mobility Management:  Solutions and Strategies for Optimizing Results and Avoiding Risks" in a webinar hosted by the Telecom Expense Management Industry Association on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 11am eastern time.   Login information can be obtained at the www.temia.org web site and a copy of the presentation will be made available at www.proximiti.com and www.celltrakr.com or by Clicking Here.  

The presentation is designed for corporate IT managements, CFOs, and risk managers and addresses important issues related to mobile devices, users, and integration with business processes.   Proximiti offers a cloud based software as a service called CellTRAKR that addresses many key issues for almost any business:  real time access to usage detail, budgets for users, bypassing high cost cell phone services, location reporting, enforcing corporate policies such as no texting while driving, and integration with popular CRM packages including Microsoft CRM and Salesforce.  

Gregg Smith, CEO of Proximiti commented:  "Traditional telecom practice management programs address key issues with wireless expense management and a new field, mobile device management can help companies manage a wide variety of devices and improve mobile security.   CellTRAKR can augment these programs and even provide important capabilities in these areas but also addresses other mobile management challenges including international calling, capturing data from smart phones that can be automatically inserted into management systems, and enforcing corporate policies such as no texting while driving.   CellTRAKR is a swiss army knife for mobile management programs:  different tools can be applied for each situation but it would be rare for any company not to realize a substantial return on investment by deploying CellTRAKR and for many the impact is highly significant in managing costs, risks, and also improving business processes."  

Proximiti CEO Gregg Smith discusses CellTRAKR for Teen Drivers with WFLA News Channel 8 in Tampa, FL

TAMPA, FL – December 6, 2011  

Proximiti Communications Announces the Addition of International Calling Capabilities for CellTRAKR

TAMPA, FL – December 1, 2011
Proximiti Communications announced this morning the immediate availability for CellTRAKR business clients to better manage their international calling from company owned and individually owned mobile phones.   Significant savings can be realized both for US based employees calling overseas and also for international travelers to save substantially in calling from overseas back to the United States and other countries.   For example, a US business person traveling in Paris can call back to the United States for less than 10 cents per minute compared to $1.29 per minute if on Verizon or AT&T standard services.  

CellTRAKR software can be downloaded and instantly activated on most smart phones including Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Windows Mobile (Version 5 and 6) phones.   CellTRAKR software is a set of capabilities that work real time with users to better manage mobile costs, security, and compliance with corporate policies.   Versions are also available that include integration with legal management software programs and Microsoft CRM.   Key features include real time notification to users that they are roaming, location based tracking, budgeting per device, secure wipe, activity and budget tracking, and now with international calling capabilities the ability to sharply reduce international roaming costs.  

Gregg Smith, CEO of Proximiti comments:   "It’s not unusual for companies with international travelers to have 30% or more of total wireless expenses concentrated among a minority of users that need to communicate internationally on their wireless devices.   The wireless carrier tariffs for international calling are expensive, European countries are often $1 or more per minute, and much of Asia is above $2 per minute.   There are a range of solutions from specialty providers that can cut those costs by 90% or more but are often cumbersome to set up and utilize.   Or they require the user to replace their SIM cards, have unlocked phones, and then tolerate not being able to receive inbound calls while traveling overseas.   While companies would like to drive international communications costs to the lowest level possible, they also need to have solutions that are readily usable and maintain the essential ability to receive inbound communications.   We believe CellTRAKR serves the user as a virtual assistant, first notifying them of their roaming status and then allowing for suitable options to not use standard calling rates for this traffic."  

CellTRAKR is an app that is always on and it immediately recognizes that a phone is in roaming status.   It then intelligently interacts with dialing actions to assist the user in realizing savings and does much of that work in the background.   It also maintains the ability of a user to override the suggested call routing and make the call over the traditional networks.  

CellTRAKR can also help manage data roaming costs.   First, it notifies the user of roaming and that high data rates may apply.   Android software now includes the ability to not download files or in the background upgrade applications automatically and CellTRAKR automatically selects that option if in roaming status and then turns this off when the user gets to a WiFi location.  

Smith further notes:   "Companies have attempted and to a certain extent have succeeded with users in using in country SIM cards and call rerouting through PBXs to address international calling costs.   But with CellTRAKR, driving down international costs can be done much more easily and accommodate the need to remain connected while traveling.   CellTRAKR is practical, easy to use, and can make an immediate difference in costs of communicating to and from overseas."  

About Proximiti Communications
Proximiti Communications is a software developer and communications services company headquartered in Tampa, Florida.   It serves over 250,000 end users with a strong focus on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, with products ranging from telecommunications-oriented solutions to innovative health care offerings available online or via mobile applications.   For more information, visit www.proximiti.com.

Contact:
  Gregg Smith, CEO
  Proximiti Communications, Inc.
  813.579.1001
  gsmith@proximiti.com

White Paper on Law Firm Challenges and TRAKR Benefits

TAMPA, FL – November 1, 2011
This whitepaper describes business and communications challenges faced by law firms and effective approaches for optimizing billing processes, staff productivity, carrier costs and risk management.  

Download White Paper

CellTRAKR CRM White Paper

TAMPA, FL – June 30, 2011
CellTRAKR CRM is a service built on top of Proximiti’s TRAKR Series Platform.   Its primary mission is to make it faster and easier for CRM users to enter information into their CRM system.   A secondary mission is to provide easy and fast remote access to a subset of CRM information that is most often needed remotely.  

Download White Paper

Understanding Bill Shock and the FCC and CTIA’s Wireless Usage Notification Guidelines
TEMIA members comment on FCC and CTIA guidelines to prevent bill shock and why TEM, WEM and MDM are more critical than ever.

Naperville, IL (PRWEB) – October 20, 2011
The Telecom Expense Management Industry Association (TEMIA), the authoritative voice for Telecom Expense Management (TEM) and Wireless Expense Management (WEM) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solutions Providers, asked its members to respond to the "Wireless Consumer Usage Notification Guidelines," from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), CTIA and Consumers Union.  

On Monday, October 17 the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the Consumers Union Paul Desai and the CTIA, wireless trade association, President and CEO Steve Largent announced a plan to help users avoid unexpected charges for wireless bills.   Under the CTIA’s "Wireless Consumer Usage Notification Guidelines," carriers will send alerts to customers when they near or reach monthly limits on voice, text, data services and international roaming charges.   By October 17, 2012, participating carriers will provide customers with at least two out of the four notifications for data, voice, text and international roaming and by April 17, 2013, they will provide all of the alerts.  

TEMIA’s Opinion
"The rise in unexpected wireless charges has become one of the biggest concerns facing our industry today, so we applaud the FCC, Consumers Union and CTIA in their efforts to protect users against this mounting issue," said Xigo CEO, David Spofford.   "This plan greatly supports our efforts in helping our customers avoid bill shock and more efficiently manage and minimize their mobile expenses."  

"Proactive notifications are a good first step to avoid unexpected charges or bill shock for the wireless services of the consumer," said David C. Perdue, Chief Executive Officer for Asentinel.   "For the enterprise, maximum expense savings comes from telecom expense management solutions built on powerful software technology."  

Some also suggest that bill shock occurs when subscribers compare quotes for wireless service to the larger bills that they receive due to extra charges for Universal Connectivity Fee or Universal Service Fund (USF), Taxes, Federal Excise surcharges, Federal regulatory recovery fees and other government levies.   TEMIA members can help scrutinize the accuracy of bills including these hidden charges, and they can provide effective expense management strategies.  

Beginning on October 17, 2012 wireless carriers will be offering alerts on usage.   These proactive carrier notifications are a good first step to avoid unexpected charges or bill shock for wireless services.  v However, as noted by Gregg Smith, CEO of Proximiti Communications and a TEMIA member:   "There is no need to wait.   Comprehensive, real-time management is a reality today with cloud-based applications that run on mobile devices."   The benefits of such an approach are many for preventing carrier roaming charges and overages, employee misuse, and the risks and costs associated with lost or stolen devices and unsafe driving related litigation and insurance costs.  

Smith also notes that:  "Real-time mobility applications, when integrated with billing, CRM, and other business processes, improve the accuracy and completeness of information and also enhance the productivity and value of key employees."  

The best way to avoid bill shocks and unnecessary wasteful spending for organizations that pay bills on behalf of their employees is to follow TEM and WEM best practices.  

These include:

• establishing policies that limit unnecessary use of mobile services
• use of TEM/WEM portals to manage procurement of wireless devices and service plans
• optimization of service plans through real-time and historical multi-variable analysis to ensure that employees have the right plans
• sourcing and contract negotiation to secure more cost-effective plans
• automaton of invoice processing to gain processing efficiencies and avoid late payment penalties for corporate and employee paid devices
• validation of charges on bills through TEM/WEM systems
• better accountability and visibility through charge-back reporting of usage and mobile expenses
• proactive measures using real-time management software and other approaches to prevent international roaming, high expense calls (such as 411), and other types of misuse and abuse.

"Anything that helps customers better control their communications costs is a positive, but this is just one small part of the solution to the challenges of trying to reign in telecom expenses.   Organizations should not rely solely on carriers to solve this problem.   A complete Telecom Expense Management program will audit and optimize for maximum savings.   Contract negotiation will secure better plans this can help avoid cheaper "limited" plans that cause overages in the first place.   Developing and communicating corporate mobile policies will help employees be more aware of usage, rather than relying on alerts or notifications," said Cameron Sowder Director of TEM Operations and Strategy for Manage Mobility.  

"With all the technology, regulatory and internal changes impacting the cost of telecommunications today, and the increase of "hidden charges" over the past several years having a good TEM program in place with a trusted advisor have become a necessity more than ever before.   It is critical for companies to take the time to find right solution and provider who not only meets their requirements but is a good cultural fit for their organization," stated Leo Berz, director of professional services, Telecom Ecova (formally Advantage IQ).  

TEMIA members have the technology and professional services to adjust employees’ plans to maximize savings and avoid unnecessary expenses, and they can help manage carriers’ alerts when they become available.   TEM and WEM can help organizations proactively manage fixed and wireless expenses.   This can have a real impact on the budget, and drive savings to the bottom line.  

About TEMIA
The largest Telecom Expense Management (TEM) service providers founded TEMIA, the Telecom Expense Management Industry Association, in 2006.   Since that time, TEMIA has grown to 38 members with international corporate headquarters managing over $36 billion of telecom and data spend.  

TEMIA's mission is to raise awareness and knowledge of the values and benefits of TEM solutions, to improve the quality and value of TEM solutions through the development and promotion of open industry standards, and industry knowledge among TEM Solution Providers, business partners, telecom service providers, and enterprise clients.