Communication in business has become more complex and varied, with any given business day including video conferencing, working in customer relationship management software, and screen sharing. These activities make managers motivated to combine technologies through MPLS unified communications capabilities for significant cost savings and streamlined efficiency.
As with any major technology streamlining project, there are pitfalls to a transition to MPLS implementation. Keep these steps in mind to avoid major setbacks and extra costs as you choose a single provider for all your communication needs:
Don’t underestimate the scope of the implementation. A complete transition to MPLS entails the actual installation, a detailed needs analysis before you select a system, testing and training on the new communications applications, and integration with your existing IT structure. It’s an involved process, so make sure your team knows it will not be quick or simple.
Don’t choose a public Internet connection. When you run your VoIP over a public connection, you’re mingling your VoIP packets and other data with all the data of your vendor’s other customers. At certain times of day, the connection is going to become crowded as demand for bandwidth peaks. You’ll experience noticeably slower speeds. Select a vendor that offers dedicated data connectivity.
Choose a vendor that offers a full range of communication options. Make sure to ask about the biggest company they’ve done an implementation for, and which communication tools that company uses. You need to make sure that, even if the vendor has what you need now, they will have what you need in the future, too. Ask about an implementation that was similar in scope and size to your own, and find out how smoothly the transition went by contacting the customer directly.
Balance price and features. If you’re too frugal, you may end up with a system that lacks the security you need or the features that help your processes run smoothly. Spend too much, and you’re likely paying for communication media that you don’t use and losing sight of your communications goals.
Plan for your existing structure. Too many transitions start by evaluating MPLS solutions, rather than documenting what you need and then finding the option that fits best. Start with a careful summary of your current processes and communication needs before you consider vendors or products. Otherwise, you’ll be dazzled by features and have trouble remembering what your specific needs are.
Plan for quick wins. A technology transition can be challenging for staff members that are forced to relearn and change key parts of their jobs. It’s helpful to get buy-in through some quick wins that demonstrate immediate cost savings, productivity improvements, or user-friendly changes. Talk up these quick wins and celebrate when they happen.
An MPLS transition can be an exciting time, because you’ll experience significant cost savings and integration benefits. To avoid common pitfalls of a unified communications system implementation, partner with Enterprise Visions. Talk with one of our consultants today about your MPLS transition.