Unified CommunicationsVendor Selection process

[heathersuzanne]

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone else out there is looking at different Unified Communications Solutions from different Vendors (such as Microsoft, Avaya, Cisco..)? I've been looking at all of the vendors and different peices of the UC puzzle, and I'm looking for any advice on how best to go about this. Seems like a huge nut...

I've been thinking about a checklist of the things we would like and basically 'scoring' the vendors to see how close they get to our requirements list. Better way to do this? Thanks!!!!

 

[IPT4U]

Heather,

Take a look at Mitel; from an applications standpoint its the most bang for your buck and is much easier to implement than those you mentioned besides being the most cost effective.

 

[Dexman]

Another factor to consider is the company that will install and support your system.

While any of the mentioned brands will work quite well, take into consideration how many authorized local installers there are and how pleased their customers are with the service & support they receive.

 

[GSmitherman]

I can't agree more with Dexman. If you get the wrong vendor the product won't work for you no matter how good it is.

 

[heathersuzanne]

Thank you all for your Posts!

We ahve selected two very compltent vendors that we have worked with before on installing these solutions - if we install an Avaya solution, our BP will handle the install, if we install from another vendor our BP for that product will handle. In that regard I have confidence in the vendors.

It's more the technology that eludes me a bit, sad to say. I really liked Microsofts platform, and we are a Microsoft shop. I like that their solution is software and license based as opposed to hardware based. But on the otherhand, I feel a bit leary of Microsoft since they are new to voice, and this stuff is still in development. Avaya's been around forever, I know what I'm getting with them, and for voice we are standardized on Avaya. The downside is that I'd have to replace a ton of hardware...

 

[kmefford]

Without getting into who's better, you are on the right track. There is no "easy" way to pick a solution. Just about of the major players have most of the same features, just different ways of implementing them.

You should make a list of your requirements in order of importance then see which products will fill the most requirements that are most important and in a way you feel comfortable with. Once you are down to two or three systems, ask for a demo from each BP that would implement.

By asking for a demo, you not only get to verify your choice of features, but the capability of the installer.
Just be willing to travel to the BP office or other location to see the demo in action for full effect.

 

[heathersuzanne]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that the path I am on is the right one, as I have createda grid of requirements and a scoring system to see which vendor might be the best fit - I just wasnt sure if that was aa correct approach. Thanks for the feedback, now I feel more confident!

One other thing I was considering, and tell me if this sounds silly, is asking managemnet for approval to put together a UC panel when the time comes, that is to include on represenative from the Data Dept, Server/Exchange dept, and Desktop group, along with us (Telecom). UC tends to touch everyone (hence, unified communications). Deciding on a vendor and solution without everyone's input to me seems silly, as I can't speak for all of these dept's... Anyuone else do anything like this and how was the request reacted to?

 

[kmefford]

Since it would involved everyone like you said, it would be an excellent idea to get all groups involved. You will need them to work with you and/or the BP to get everything configured so they should have some input. They may know underlying reasons why certain products would work better or worse in your given situation.