Switching to VoIP

This is the Title of the Book, eMatter Edition

Copyright © 2007 O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

182

|

Chapter 8: VoIP Readiness

Manpower

To program and deploy IP phones and servers and to provide project leadership

Training

For the end users of the system

Standards basis

To ensure proper interoperability with old and new voice systems

Knowledge Foundation

Your technical know-how will prepare you to project the size, scope, and commit-

ments of time and money that will be required to complete your VoIP rollout. Learn

the technical nuances of IP telephony, and you’ll be much better prepared to qualify,

delegate, and prioritize the tasks involved in the rollout. Technical depth also gives

you a better foundation for dealing with your telephony system salespeople and con-

tracted engineers.

Time

How long will it take to assess your network? Assess your voice applications? Think

about the way your organization uses voice systems—do you have a receptionist who

handles all calls? A small office or a large, multilingual call center? How will the size

and scope of your user base affect the completion date you, as an integrator, are will-

ing to commit to?

A good way to get a realistic grasp on just how big your voice project will ultimately

be is to interview the end users who are most familiar with the usage of current voice

systems in your office. The receptionist, if you have one, probably