This post is sponsored by Sakon and Bearstone.

Sakon is the Telecom Cloud — a governed architecture that brings clarity, control, and automation to global enterprise telecom and mobility operations. As a pioneer in telecom lifecycle management, Sakon created the industry’s first unified system of record and continues to lead with data-governed solutions that power real-time visibility, intelligent automation, and modernization across network, wireless, and financial systems. Built for outcomes, Sakon helps CIOs, CFOs, and IT leaders stabilize platforms like ServiceNow, Coupa, and SAP, reduce risk, and drive transformation. Beyond technology, Sakon supports global connectivity through its teams and Kids Connect Global, making telecom smarter, simpler, and more equitable. Learn more at www.sakon.com.

Bearstone is a telecom vendor governance firm founded by Bill Henrichs, Former Head of Telecommunications at Simon Property Group. Managing telecom for a 200+ site portfolio, Bill saw what most CIOs learn: invoices routinely carry unauthorized charges — services billed after disconnect, rates outside contracted terms — that no one is validating line by line. He built Bearstone to close that gap.
Bearstone delivers BearGuard — a managed governance service that validates invoices against contracted terms, surfaces unauthorized charges and variance, and holds carriers accountable for correction. Where TEM platforms stop at reporting, BearGuard begins.
Headquartered in Noblesville, Indiana, Bearstone serves multi-site enterprises — retail, hospitality, and distribution — with 200+ locations or $2M+ in annual telecom spend.
Learn more at www.BearstoneLLC.com/ExecutiveBrief