What happens when my current system no longer meets
our needs?
That’s the ideal time to take advantage of today’s technology
and extend VoIP technology out to your desktop – and take advantage of
increased functionality and virtually limitless capacity. Our Hosted PBX capabilities will fit nearly
every business need you may have and still save you money over your current
system.
“To my desktop”? What does that mean?
In simple terms, it means you would replace your existing
telephones with new IP-based phones. We
support a number of IP-based phones and predominately use the Polycom IP
Soundpoint Family of phones.
Ok, so what’s involved if we decide to take this “next
step”?
Your IP-based phone is still just a telephone. However, in
making the transition from your old phone system, we’ll need to meet certain
requirements in order to maintain business-class voice quality. But don’t worry, we will be there all the way
to help you.
What requirements?
To begin with, your infrastructure must now use Ethernet cabling
instead of your old analog cabling. In most small- to medium-sized businesses,
VoIP installations will simply share the existing LAN (Local Area Network)
infrastructure that already transmits their data. Chances are that your current
LAN can easily support the transition.
However, your LAN will need to be validated, which means
ensuring that the various devices it supports – virus protection software,
100MB switches and cable plant (i.e., the physical wires used to tie the
network together) – are in the tiptop condition needed to ensure business-class
quality voice transmission.
What else?
Your broadband circuits (lines) must also be evaluated for their
capacity, reliability and usage. For example, if the evaluation results
indicate that your company is a heavy data user or hosts functions like
terminal services, it’s generally more cost-effective and design-efficient to
install separate circuits for voice and data.
That’s a fairly easy resolve.
Why all the fuss over my LAN infrastructure and lines?
They work fine now.
They probably do, but voice transmission is a much more
human-sensitive application than data transmission.
For example, if your data circuit were to experience small
“bursts” of downtime or other minor problems, you might not even be aware of it
because nothing would tip you off. However, if your company were running voice
over that same line, the symptoms would likely be loud and clear – in the form
of noise, echo or other problems that could distort the communications, distracting
your customers as well as your employees. In your business environment, your
voice communications can and should meet the highest standards of quality.
Is that all?
No, Quality of Service (QoS) parameters must also be built into
your system. Simply put, QoS guarantees certain minimum levels of performance
to a voice/data flow. QoS may be incorporated into the lines themselves or into
your onsite equipment. However, without QoS, the quality of your voice
communications is likely to be sacrificed at some point, because bandwidth
alone cannot assure satisfactory business-class service.
Is that why I hear that some companies are
dissatisfied with their VoIP technology?
Probably. Residential installations – the earliest VoIP market –
typically lack QoS standards and therefore are subject to extreme bandwidth
fluctuations. Additionally, not all VoIP vendors who sell to the business
community engineer their systems for business-class quality; some may design
simply to meet their prospects’ lowest-price requirements. Although QoS does
bear a cost, it should never be sacrificed.
What does Prospice Networks do to assure the
business-class voice quality my company needs?
As the network provider, Prospice follows strict procedures to
assure true business-class voice; the following two processes benefit our
customers most directly.
BroadWorks – the world’s number one VoIP platform – forms the
working core of our network. A multitude of products are approved for use in
the BroadWorks environment. However, Prospice certifies only the best of these
– devices that have been pre-tested and proven – for use in our architecture.
More importantly, every time these products undergo revisions, they’re
extensively retested before being placed into production – a process which
ensures that our customers never experience negative impacts.
The second advantage is our QoS (Quality of Service, a set of
standards that guarantee certain minimum levels of performance to a voice/data
flow), which is delivered on your circuit or at your site. Prospice has
engineered designs in every solution to meet QoS standards, which ensures
business-class quality in all customer environments. These designs are not only
implemented in our retail customers’ communications systems; they’re also
taught and embraced by our Business Partners.
How do I minimize impact to my business while
extending my VoIP technology out to the desktop?
The process is very straightforward. It’s important to plan your
transition with the people who manage your IT infrastructure, so that Prospice
can plug in seamlessly, without taxing your resources.
A popular strategy is to run your new system parallel with your
existing one while your employees become familiar with the new phones and
features. This procedure eliminates the anxiety of a “hard cut” and allows
ample time for the changes to be absorbed smoothly. You can even go live before
the actual porting of your numbers, by call-forwarding the old system to the
new!
Ok, we’re three months live and pleasantly surprised.
However, the broadband connection just went dead today. What now?
Since we’ve preplanned together for this, there’s no need to
panic! You may have dual connections for voice and data so a simple failover
takes place until the dead circuit comes back. However, let’s assume the worst
case: one connection, one location.
First, the network is still accepting and delivering your calls.
“Hosted services” means that the real work is happening elsewhere. So,
depending on the situation, it’s easy to reroute calls – both for your
individual employees and for your organization. Rerouting can be done from cell
phones, available landlines and/or Internet connections. If you do choose to
panic, just call us, and we’ll take care of it. However, enjoying more control
is one of the perks of your new system, so the ability to redirect your calls
will soon become part of your new communications culture.
Business is good, it’s time to expand. Can we tie two
new offices into the system?
Can we ever! Managing your Prospice communications system will
be the easiest aspect of your process for opening or adding new sites. One of
the most rewarding benefits of transitioning your communications to Prospice is
your new ability to provide service under a single platform. With Prospice, you
gain one cohesive system, in which all employees can communicate as if they
were in a single campus – even if they’re hundreds of miles apart. And if your
business requires it, you can even centralize incoming calls – because everyone
is simply an extension away.
The new offices will only have two or three people to
start. Do I need to install a T1 circuit channel for access?
Definitely not. The type of access required is certainly in part
measured by capacity, but it is mostly defined by quality standards. In fact,
the majority of Prospice customers simply use DSL and cable for their voice
circuits. A word of caution: not all circuits deliver the same quality. That’s
why they must first be tested and evaluated for their ability to handle voice.
How many calls can I get on a DSL, cable or T1
circuit?
To determine this, your broadband circuits must first be
evaluated for capacity, reliability and usage.
As an example, let’s use a typical business-class DSL circuit
that provides 3.0MB download and 768kbps upload capabilities. The lower of the
two values (outbound, in this case) is 768kbps, of which roughly 85% (650kbps)
is available for use, with the balance allocated to overhead support.
Two types of compression are common to VoIP applications: G711 and
G729. A voice call using G711 compression consumes approximately 90kbps of
bandwidth; using G729, it would consume approximately 30kbps of bandwidth. Another type of compression is G722, which
will be utilized for customer who will be wishing to use Polycom’s HD (High
Definition) Voice phones.
Other variables also enter the picture. Is the circuit dedicated
or shared with data? If shared, what is the level of data usage? Does the
circuit actually deliver a consistent 768kbps level of data?
Obviously, these critical details differ from one communications
environment to the next. It is precisely these variations that drive the need
to validate your infrastructure’s readiness prior to adding VoIP services.
Ok, now I have a better understanding of business
VoIP. How can I get a quote? Can I talk to your existing customers for
references?
Give us a call. We’ll be delighted to answer your questions,
work with you to define your requirements, and help you start taking advantage
of all the powerful benefits that Prospice voice services can offer your
business!
My phone system meets our needs, why would we want to change?
You probably wouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take
advantage of the additional benefits delivered by VoIP. Throwing away your existing
equipment is not a requirement for moving your communications to Prospice
business-class quality Voice over IP (VoIP). For example, our Trunk Services
option lets you use your existing PBX or key system and enjoy all the same
services you have now, but at a lower price. Or, benefit from even more
services, for the same price.
That’s interesting, but how do Trunk Services work?
It’s simple: when you choose the Prospice Trunk Services option
for your voice communications, your VoIP service will start in your
communications “closet” rather than on the desktop. Everything else will remain
the same – no changes, no training required, just improved cost-efficiency for
your business communications.
Does that mean no rewiring?
That’s right: when your PBX or key system is enhanced by
Prospice Trunk Services, your existing analog infrastructure will remain in
service.
So, is that my only benefit with Trunk Services –
saving money?
No, depending on other needs you may have, Prospice can extend
valuable key features to your existing system.
What if I just need to add more trunk capacity?
When you choose Prospice Trunk Services, we can support the
current capacity of your existing system. But that’s not all. We can also offer
you a capital-efficient plan for growth well beyond your existing trunk
capacity. Because when it comes to growth and capacity, VoIP knows no limits.
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