The key to a successful phone system rollout is a well-planned, phased approach founded on reliable information and technical expertise. This paper includes a checklist identifying the ten steps to planning and implementing a successful phone system overhaul.
Ten Steps to a
Successful
Business
Phone System
Implementation
By Clare KaufmanContents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2Planning a Business Phone Solution...........................................................................................................2 1. Define business requirement.......................................................................................................3 . 2. Line Up Technical Support...........................................................................................................3 3. Call in the Experts.........................................................................................................................3 4. Establish Implementation Timeline.............................................................................................3 5. Prepare Metrics............................................................................................................................3Implementing a Business Phone System...................................................................................................4 1 Perform a Network Assessment..................................................................................................4 2. Integrate New Equipment with Legacy System...........................................................................4 3. Diagram the New Network...........................................................................................................4 4. Set Up the Network.......................................................................................................................5 5. Pilot Program.................................................................................................................................5Case Study.....................................................................................................................................................5Sources...........................................................................................................................................................6About the Author...........................................................................................................................................6Introduction
Even the most advanced business phone system is only as effective as its implementation. Despite its streamlined architecture, an IP telephony system presents some of the greatest hurdles to successful installation. The first challenge is converging voice and data networks onto a single communications platform. This integration usually involves a hybrid assortment of legacy and next generation technolo-gy. Multiple offices and mobile employees add an additional layer of complexity to the implementation. Finally, the rapid pace of the economy demands a system with the flexibility to accommodate changing business needs.
The key to a successful phone system rollout is a well-planned, phased approach founded on reliable information and technical expertise. The following checklist identifies the ten steps to planning and implementing a successful phone system overhaul. Today's IP business phone systems play a crucial role in productivity and overall cost; a smart implementation helps you realize the full potential of this powerful technology.
2Planning a Business Phone Solution
The first five steps lay the groundwork for a successful phone system installation.
1. Define business requirements.The implementation phase calls for a specific understanding of user requirements. Whether you've chosen a hosted service like Vocalocity or an in-house solution, customization options abound. Consult end-users in your company to determine:
. varying communication requirements from department to department . how much scalability to build into the system . varying levels of data access . remote access needs . security issues
2. Line Up Technical Support. Determine whether your IT department has the training to converge voice and data into a single, uni-fied communications platform. Companies may have voice and/or data specialists on staff, but IP telephony calls for a diffe... [download for more]
