How important is an ARC RRC software solution

I have been with a team to develop software for ARC RRC billing. Many of the comments I have heard during my week here is that other accounts feel that this is very easy and they will use an Access Data base to bill via ARC RRC, other accounts will use "Spreadsheets", and other billing manager feel that this will magically happen. Having a good software solution is going to help prevent issues in billing or not billing at all.

I am biased when it comes to this topic that a billing manager should look at a more enterprise solution for billing. I as a Billing Manager I don't want to be responsible for the engine that develops the bill as well as developing the bill. I also don't want to be the single point of failure. The days are over when you entrench yourself a a subject matter expert. This is just very shortsighted.

I may not have convinced you that a software solution is important, this may convince you. Everything will be standardized from the Resource Units to the invoices.

I also like the fact that you can create reports that help you understand your clients consumption and possibly give your client the ability to understand their IT spend in this case.

ARC RRC and all the Bits and Pieces

The concept of a "TPI" or "ARC RRC" model of Outsourcing consumption and/or inventory has in many years gone in and out of vogue. It seems to be back in some form of resurgence.

I have been working on a outsourcing program for a large global telecom company, my client is a large consumer product company. In the last six years I have not only learned a lot about many of the aspects of an ARC RRC model of billing, I have also discovered that without a keen eye on the financials the whole thing could get away from you.

I am also responsible for nearly 20,000 Resource Units (RU) on this account. Yes I do stay away late at night and putting many things into 20,000 buckets to make sure we count stuff correctly.

This Blog will help me share with you real life experiences regarding this wonderful world of ARC and RRC. At the same time I hope to have a bit of fun and relax around the topic.

Lets get started.