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first and most important question that any decision
maker must answer about VoIP (or any new technology)
is “Why use it, why not continue with what we
have, what are the incentives?” In the case of
VoIP, the possible answers are:
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What
Scope Should We Choose for VoIP? |
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Local in this context means a drop-in replacement
for PBX or Centrex service. Users have IP phones
on their desks, and make all calls normally. Calls
to other phones in the building or campus go through
the IP PBX; calls to outside locations (local
or long distance) are converted to an analog form
and handed off to the local or long distance provider.
Long distance means that links between widely
separated sites will be accomplished using VoIP
rather. than conventional circuit-switched service.
The VoIP calls can either originate in a VoIP
PBX or be converted to VoIP by a special card
in a conventional PBX.
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Bear in mind that conventional PBX technology and
available long distance plans are extremely cost-effective.
They are also exceedingly reliable and familiar
to users. Improving upon this “legacy”
technology is not easy. Therefore, as Augustus said,
“Festina lente: Make haste slowly!”
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Go through the steps described, carefully considering
all factors, so as to minimize the risk of an expensive
bad decision.
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Do
not be railroaded by vendors, pundits, or others
into a premature decision. Existing equipment, in
nearly all cases, is adequate for corporate needs
in the short term, at the very least.
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If
the decision is made to rollout VoIP, then be sure
to:
- Determine performance requirements that must be
met in order to satisfy the needs and demands of
the organization—Do not assume that all VoIP
systems are the same, or that they can do everything
that the current phone system can do.
- Determine geographic coverage requirements needed
to make any offering viable—If a WAN is envisioned,
verify that all locations can be connected by a
suitable network infrastructure or service.
- Determine features which must be available, and
those which are optional, in order to make the service
of use to the organization— Interoperability
among different VoIP systems
will be key here, as will the need for directory
services which work transparently across the network.
Standards for VoIP are still not yet mature, in
the sense that VoIP equipment is not plug-and-play,
as is Ethernet equipment. Features will have to
provide a way of dealing with this until full interoperability
becomes available.
- As always, negotiate price, availability from
vendors.
Overall, the main bit of advice is simple—make
sure the value proposition is clearly stated, carefully
evaluated, and rigorously decided.
Call
us now to get more information, with no commitment,
to our toll free number 1-877-243-0657
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