Migrating to a Single Stack Billing Platform
"Single-Stack" Billing and Back-Office Platforms
What Is a Single-Stack Solution?
Before we get into the benefits and considerations of single-stack back office software, let's define it. A single-stack solution is a unified set of software components designed to operate as a single solution.
In a single-stack solution, components are tightly integrated and generally delivered by a single vendor. Some components may be provided by different vendors, but they are pre-integrated to work as a single solution.
The number one reason companies seek a single-stack solution is to eliminate the "swivel chair problem."
Some key points:
- A unified set of software components to facilitate back-office operations
- Tightly integrated
- Single vendor or pre-integrated 3rd party
- Typical components include:
- CRM
- Quoting
- Billing
- Product catalog
- Usage rating
- Reporting
- Payment processing
- Ticket management
- Workflow
- Customer portals
- Collections management
Benefits of "Single-Stack" Software Solutions
A key benefit to the single-stack solution is that it naturally provides improved data access, reporting, and analytics. The data in a single-stack solution is often stored in a common database. Ad hoc reporting or a similar tool will link data from different components, enabling you to generate reports on virtually "anything."
- Eliminate the "swivel chair" / data duplication
- Minimize data entry error
- Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)
- APIs, 3rd parties, quote to cash
- Improved Data Access/reporting & analytics
- Common DB, report on "anything"
- Single vendor with a single point of contact
- Unified support structure
- Visibility & insight
- Streamlined External Integrations
Things to Consider When Selecting a Software Vendor
Although this may not be one of your first concerns when evaluating a new software platform, security is critical! CPNI, credit card, and ACH data are all moving through this software, so the security policies should be as strong as industry standards. Vendors should also be audited for compliance on an annual basis.
- Domestic support?
- Data/report access
- Track record
- Product growth & releases
- Infrastructure
- Security
- Ability to implement incrementally
Internal Issues to Consider When Moving to Single-Stack
Internal Considerations
Surprise, not everyone loves change! I’m sure most of us can think of some common factors for resistance. Users have been following the same process for years; they may not have been involved in the vetting process, or they just might not agree with the system selection.
- Employee resistance
- Data accessibility
- Implementation resources
- Internal - incremental conversion?
- Vendor resources
- External resources
- Existing network infrastructure
Conclusion
- A single-stack solution has many advantages.
- More efficient
- Lower costs
- Greater access to data
