Some questions for managed VoIP service providers
My focus has long been on enterprise business systems. With regard to VoIP, most of my study of managed services slants toward a telecom-centric view. And in that view, many telecoms took an approach referred to, sometimes openly and sometimes more discreetly, as IP Centrex.
Centrex services have long been the acknowledged cash cow for local service providers. While there is merit in managed services, Centrex as too often been overpriced, oversold, and customers held to lengthy contract. Very profitable for the provider. Far less beneficial to the customer. Saying that openly often annoys some of my telco friends, but it's the truth.
VoIP News provided a nice set of their Top 10 Questions to Ask Your VoIP Service Provider. They've touched on contract termination liabilities, startup costs, day-to-day usage costs. They bring up add-on services, fax support, remote workers. They point out the contractual questions of upgrade support and Quality of Service guarantees.
If you're seriously considering managed VoIP services, this post is a must read and a great set of questions to begin your discussion with your provider of choice.
Technorati Tags: VoIP, managed VoIP, managed services, important VoIP questions
Email This!
Digg it!
Sphere it!
Del.icio.us
Reddit!
Newsvine