7 Factors To Consider When Evaluating Phone System Vendors
February 22nd, 2012 by admin
When you are in business you need to go over every expense with a fine-tooth comb. This is especially true of your vendors for communications. You need to be working with a vendor who is more than just a service provider; your phone system vendor needs to be your partner in making your phone system their top priority. For that reason you should carefully evaluate phone system vendors who likely are involved with the impression given between your customers and your whole staff.
- Sales Staff – One of the things which will help you evaluate phone system vendors is to ask yourself, how is their sales staff? Are their people top-notch individuals who take the time to get to know you and understand your business? Or do they just try to rush you through the purchasing period so that you are stuck with whatever the company has to offer you? A sales force can be an excellent eye into the heart of what a vendor will be all about.
- Technical Staff – How is their technical staff? Can they answer your questions when first setting up your service? Do they have a long-standing team of professionals who will do what needs to be done for your business? Or are they an ever-changing lineup of uncommitted individuals who just want you to take a number and get in line?
- Data Staff – Another window into the soul of a business and a good way to evaluate phone system providers is to see if they are knowledgeable with computers and networking. In today’s world, phones no longer stand alone. Voice has converged with data and often voice is riding on your data network. Is the data staff competent in evaluating your network for voice applications? Do they have the tools to do so? Are they able to tell you about the ways in which information is handled and the way about which security is afforded? Are they looking for ways to help your business handle your voice and data network more effectively? These should be important points for your selection of a phone system vendor.
- Take Interest in Your Business Goals – This is where a little bit of interest can go a long way. Does the vendor even care about your business? Do they ask about your business goals? Do they assure you that their company can handle any amount of influx in your traffic and do they back this up with facts? To the larger point; why would any business want to be working with a vendor who doesn’t take interest in whether or not their business succeeds?
- Do they evaluate ROI on phone system purchases – Another important thing when taking on or changing vendors is the ability for a company to sell themselves to you as the clear alternative. Of course you would want to think that a vendor would take an interest in showing you why you need their business, but people would be surprised at how often words like those go unspoken; a vendor may just feel entitled to your business and not really care if you get any kind of return on investment. That is something which you should never have to put up with as an employer of a vendor.
- Tools for System Assessment for VoIP – Even if you don’t use VoIP for your business right now, you will be using it at some point. So many businesses use this technology everyday; it’s only a matter of time before you’ll have to take a meeting via a video conference call or some other VoIP technology. You’re going to have to take the time to evaluate phone system vendor and their ability to keep up with the changing face of phone technology.
- Gut Check – At the end of the day whoever your phone vendor is will have to be a gut decision. When in doubt; go with your gut. When taking these factors into consideration, your choice will likely not be the lowest cost decision, but it will be the one that helps your business improve its profitability, enhance its image with your customers and give your business a competitive advantage.
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