A salesperson was on a conference call with his potential client. During his pitch, their office network suddenly shut down. He lost his connection as well as the multi-deal contract because of a network interruption. You probably have a network uncertainty story too. Whether you are on the road or at work‚ attending an online meeting or on a phone call‚ telecommunications have to function accordingly.
Anticipating issues that might come up as early as possible saves you from unnecessary nuisances. Here are the baseline questions before switching or selecting a telecom provider.
First question: What telecom services do I need?
Questions to ask yourself:
From there, you will have a better idea of the services your organization needs. This sets the ground as you move along the process. Taking into consideration the future changes in the process or industry helps shape the plan and inhibits you from undergoing different directions.
Second question: Is it a converged network with consolidated infrastructure based on IP, Ethernet, and optical technologies?
It is essential to check the technology offered by the service provider. You should ensure that the systems are continuously updated with seamless rollouts of new features and less maintenance. Consolidation creates enormous cost benefits and efficiencies. Look for ways to optimize technologies such as servers, storage, computers, networks, and mobile devices. The prime motivations for a converged network with consolidated infrastructure are reducing complexities, enhancing productivity, minimizing power costs, and addressing disaster recoveries.
Third question: How much budget do I have?
Cost is a determining factor in selecting a carrier service. It depends on the services you procure, but chances are your investments will pay off. There is a myriad of telco service providers out there where their products are almost identical to each other. Verizon and AT&T offer competitive packages that orient with businesses of all sizes. Most telecoms allow you to customize solutions hinged on your preferences. Fretting over costs will just take much of your time when in reality, you can mix and match plans that meet your demands. Think about the long-term profits you can gain while creating new revenue streams and protecting your existing client base.
Fourth question: Is it scalable and flexible?
Gauge the growth of your business from the number of employees to the magnitude of data, app usage, and client requirements. Your pace might be nimble, but does your technology keep up with the weight of work? Sometimes we hear our machines make noise from overheating. This could mean your system is overperforming or the vent is blocked. Installing new technologies or apps that can scale as your business grows should be a top priority. The scalability and flexibility of technologies allow you to adapt to different circumstances and handle any operation load without performance issues.
Fifth question: Is the network secure and reliable?
These are two important factors before choosing a service provider. Test and evaluate whether the network is secure. It should react with different defense mechanisms if an attack occurred. You should also take into account natural disasters and human errors. In some cases, networks truncate when a storm occurs. A reliable network withstands these cases with solid support from the provider, a robust backup plan, and redundancies. You can ensure uninterrupted operations while catering to different countries and markets.
Key Takeaways
Pro tip: You can find a wholesale price for a network, phone devices, and infrastructure. Blackpoint IT is one of the companies that negotiate with telecoms to get you the best bundle at a reasonable price. A free assessment is available, or you can contact them directly here.
