Hey Ken,
Before considering a VoIP solution for our business, I wanted to pose this question to you: Are security and management expectations for VoIP different from other networks?Very interested in your perspective on this. Thanks!

In some way's we've worked around this question a bit with some of the earlier questions about both call quality and security. Unfortunately many companies don’t think so and have found that their implementation of VoIP and other convergence technologies was impacted in some way. Some VoIP vendors sell solutions that are supposed to be just plug in and go. Some are intended to be that way. Some are protrayed incorrectly as being that simple.

I've written many times about how crucial performing a readiness assessment is to success in implementing VoIP. The truth is that few networks can support VoIP as is. Most require some changes in  one or more areas - service delivery quality, security posture, management/monitoring, and/or policies. That's just reality. The other reality is that far too many companies believe, without any documented reason, that their network is in the small percentage that can just add VoIP services. The problem comes when the rubber meets the road and things don't work as desired.

Because VoIP is a critical business application and has very rigid requirements for success it will impact your infrastructure cabling, cooling and power in the wiring closets, your current business critical applications, and your network management processes. A complete lifecycle will need to be followed from assess to optimize.

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