Don't be shy about asking for outside help. Shelving the PBX and putting hundreds or thousands of calls across the network can be a daunting task, and few IT departments have the staff count and specialized talent to make the switch exclusively with in-house resources. Ask your VoIP vendor for integrator recommendations. Once you select an integrator, tell that person you want to know up front all the costs of implementing VoIP, and that your goal is to have minimal impact on users during the transition. At Syracuse, we handled our pilot project rollout in-house, but if we deploy VoIP across campus, we'll probably use an integrator to supplement our in-house skills.
It's worth looking into the history of outside contractors before you sign on the dotted line, too. VoIP is new enough that many consultants are still learning the ropes. The last thing you need is a green consultant using your deployment as a VoIP training ground so he can make a name for himself. Make sure you know your integrator's specific areas of expertise. There's a big difference between implementing an IP call-processing server and actually setting up a complex IP call-center application.
Although few midsize to large enterprises have made the jump to VoIP pilots or production systems, it's still the likely future of voice. Start studying, planning and upgrading your network now. That's the best way to prepare for deploying VoIP when the time is right.
Lee Badman is a network engineer at Syracuse University. Write to him at [email protected].
How to Plan for VoIP
1. Analyze your network wiring infrastructure. You need Cat 5E wiring, minimum, for VoIP.
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