LINQ vs. Brightfin: A Comprehensive Comparison for Managed Mobility Services

When it comes to managing mobile devices and telecom expenses, businesses have many options. As a leading providers in the Managed Mobility Services space, our team here at LINQ frequently gets asked about other players in the space. 

One such company is Brightfin. While both LINQ and Brightfin offer robust solutions, their approaches and strengths cater to different needs. This article compares LINQ and Brightfin to help you determine which is the best fit for your business.

Overview

LINQ specializes in managed mobility services, providing comprehensive solutions to streamline enterprise mobile management. With a focus on personalized customer support, simplified billing, and guaranteed cost savings, LINQ ensures a seamless mobile management experience for businesses of all sizes.

Brightfin offers a Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solution, known for its integration capabilities, especially with ServiceNow. Brightfin focuses on providing visibility and control over telecom and mobile expenses, aiming to reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies.

Managed Mobility Services vs Telecom Expense Management: What’s the Difference? 

When navigating the complexities of enterprise mobility, two critical solutions often come into play: Managed Mobility Services (MMS) and Telecom Expense Management (TEM). Understanding the distinctions between these two can help you make an informed decision for your business needs.

Managed Mobility Services (MMS)

Managed Mobility Services encompass a holistic approach to managing your enterprise’s mobile devices and services. MMS providers like LINQ handle everything from device procurement and deployment to ongoing support and lifecycle management. Here’s what sets MMS apart:

1. Comprehensive Device Management: MMS covers the entire lifecycle of mobile devices—from setup and configuration to maintenance, repair, and eventual replacement.
2. Unified Support: Providers offer personalized, U.S.-based customer support that addresses technical issues, carrier management, and user assistance, ensuring your team stays productive.
3. Streamlined Operations: With an MMS like LINQ, you benefit from simplified billing, as we consolidate all carrier charges into one predictable monthly invoice, saving you administrative headaches and unexpected costs.
4. Enhanced Security: MMS ensures your devices are secure with regular updates, security patches, and compliance with industry standards, protecting sensitive data.

Telecom Expense Management (TEM)

Telecom Expense Management, on the other hand, primarily focuses on optimizing and controlling the costs associated with telecom services. While TEM providers like Brightfin can help manage expenses, their scope is narrower compared to MMS:

1. Cost Optimization: TEM’s core function is to audit and analyze your telecom bills, identifying areas for cost savings, eliminating redundant services, and negotiating better rates with carriers.
2. Billing Management: TEM providers manage invoicing, ensuring accurate billing and resolving discrepancies, but this does not typically extend to device management.
3. Usage Monitoring: TEM solutions offer detailed insights into telecom usage, helping to identify patterns, reduce wastage, and optimize your telecom spend.

The Key Differences

While both MMS and TEM aim to streamline and optimize your telecom operations, their scopes and focuses differ significantly:

• Scope of Services: MMS offers a broad range of services covering device management, support, and security, whereas TEM primarily focuses on expense management and cost control.
• Operational Impact: MMS directly enhances operational efficiency by managing devices and providing end-user support. In contrast, TEM helps reduce costs through financial oversight and auditing.
• Billing: MMS provides consolidated billing, simplifying financial management across carriers. TEM focuses on auditing existing bills to ensure accuracy and cost savings.

Choosing between MMS and TEM depends on your business needs. For a comprehensive solution that manages every aspect of your mobile devices and services, MMS is the way to go. If your primary concern is cost control and billing accuracy, TEM might be more suitable. LINQ excels in delivering robust MMS solutions, while Brightfin specializes in effective TEM services.

Strengths

Both LINQ and Brightfin have unique strengths that make them suitable for certain customers and situations. 

LINQ

• Flexibility: LINQ’s solutions are not tied to any specific platform, making them adaptable to various systems and business needs. LINQ also has the ability to provide customized solutions that integrate with various systems beyond just ServiceNow.
• Personalized Service: With a U.S.-based support team, LINQ emphasizes personalized customer service, ensuring each client receives tailored solutions.
• Cost Efficiency: LINQ guarantees savings with straightforward billing, making it an attractive option for small and medium enterprises.

Brightfin

• ServiceNow Integration: Brightfin is natively built on the ServiceNow platform, providing seamless integration for users within that ecosystem.
• Comprehensive Expense Management: Offers detailed insights into telecom spending, focusing on reducing costs and increasing operational efficiencies.
• Global Reach: Supports multinational operations with extensive language and currency options.
• Industry Recognition: Recognized as a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Mobility Services.
• Automated Processes: Employs heavy automation in invoice processing and expense management to streamline operations.

Weaknesses

Just as each company has its own strengths, each also has certain areas that could be considered weaknesses. 

LINQ

• Integration Depth: While flexible, LINQ may not offer the same depth of integration with specific platforms like ServiceNow.
• Global Presence: LINQ’s operations are more U.S.-focused, which might be a limitation for businesses with extensive international operations.

Brightfin

• Dependency on ServiceNow: Brightfin’s reliance on ServiceNow may limit its appeal to clients not using this platform.
• Complex Setup: The initial setup and integration can be complex and resource-intensive.
• Niche Focus: Primarily targets large enterprises, which may alienate smaller potential clients looking for more adaptable solutions.

Conclusion

Both LINQ and Brightfin offer valuable managed mobility solutions, but they cater to different needs. LINQ is ideal for businesses seeking flexibility, personalized service, and cost efficiency, particularly small and medium enterprises. On the other hand, Brightfin excels in environments deeply integrated with ServiceNow and large enterprises with complex, multinational operations.

Choosing the right provider depends on your specific needs, platform preferences, and business scale. For a comprehensive, personalized, and cost-effective mobile management solution, LINQ stands out as a strong contender.

Ready to simplify your mobile management with LINQ? Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve guaranteed savings and a hassle-free mobile experience.