6 Hosted VoIP Implementation Best Practices you need to know

Deploying reliable business class Hosted VoIP with the priority being the long term customer experience is not challenging when best practices are considered.

When considering a move to Hosted VoIP, there are many details to consider in order to avoid becoming a VoIP Horror Story. 

One aspect that needs attention upfront before a VoIP Provider has been selected, relate to implementation.

In order to ensure a great experience, use these 6 Hosted VoIP implementation best practices to guide you to the right provider.

1. Who does the Install?

If the Hosted VoIP provider does not come onsite and simply ships you the phones ready to "plug and play", I wish you the best of luck. It is important for the Hosted VoIP provider to understand the onsite environment, if they are going to manage it...which leads us to…..

2. Managed Router = Managed Service

A Managed Router allows you to off load the telecom to the experts, have them manage the solution. A major benefit of the Cloud is the Customers ability to handoff phone system responsibilities to an expert. So don't be swayed by a low cost VoIP service because you will not only be the VoIP User, but also the VoIP engineer.

3. Onsite Redundancy Option

Redundancy is a major advantage of Hosted VoIP.  Confirm the option to purchase (2) data connections from diverse carriers for onsite redundancy. The beauty is if done correctly, that secondary voice connection can be your primary data connection which gets the customer the most bang for the buck.

4. POE Switches

The phones need power, so don't let someone convince you to use power supplies. If POE switches are not being brought up during the sales process and they are not on the proposal and/or contract (and you are not providing them), there is a problem.

5. Wire

If the Hosted VoIP Provider is not asking about wire, he or she is not doing their job. Hosted VoIP needs CAT5e or better to pass voice. Anything less, the experience will be terrible or you will be hit with a bill for wire and labor in the 11th hour.

6. Bandwidth

This seems obvious, but for some businesses the question gets asked post implementation..."What is your bandwidth, what type of connection". A true Business Class Hosted VoIP Provider will tell a potential customer that their DSL connection is not up to par for VoIP. 

This may seem like a daunting task, vetting the providers, but it is necessary because the Cloud and Hosted VoIP are rapidly gaining momentum which means players are entering the game daily and some should be on the JV squad, make sure you are dealing with a Varsity Hosted VoIP Provider.

If this blog was helpful you should take a look at our Buyer's Guide infographic: 5 questions to ask before you see a price.