Deciding to migrate to Voice over IP service may be the easiest part of the decision to move to next-generation services. However, the decisions that follow may not be quite as easy. Some of the decisions you may face include selecting an on-premise or hosted system; selecting the most appropriate features; validating system reliability; determining system security; and evaluating system service and support.

Voice over IP (VoIP) is perhaps the buzz word of the year. And while the term is so popular, upgrading your phone system to VoIP can be anything but simple. A VoIP solution can be beneficial if you need additional features, improved quality of service, the ability to manage multiple office locations easily, additional phone system capacity, or to reduce long-term costs. Once you have made the decision to migrate to a VoIP system, there are two basic options for phone system upgrades: on-premises deployment and hosted solutions.

Deployment Options

On-premises deployment means that you purchase the required equipment (IP PBX, IP phones, Power over Ethernet switches, etc.) and install, manage, and maintain that equipment. Companies selecting on-premises deployment typically have on-site IT personnel or rely on resellers or a systems integrator to aid with the selection of equipment; equipment configuration, installation, and ongoing maintenance. In addition to these costs, circuit installation and additional circuit costs may add to the bottom line.

Hosted solutions, on the other hand, are completely controlled by the carrier. The carrier provides all of the necessary equipment, installation, maintenance, support, etc. to keep the system up and running as part of a bundled service. This option, while less labor intensive on your behalf also brings monthly recurring costs in the form of usage fees, service contracts, management requirements, and data line charges. Ironically, this model is virtually the same as Centrex service, which had its origins in the 1950s.

General Considerations

Regardless of which approach you choose, you might want to consider the following:

• Will I be able to maintain or enhance the functionality of my current phone system?
• Will the new system offer equal or enhanced reliability?
• What security issues must be addressed with this new system?
• Will I be able to maintain existing directories within the new system?
• What features will be gained by implementing a new system? and
• Are these new features helpful or harmful?

Other Considerations for On-Premises Deployments

With on-premises solutions the burden of equipment selection falls on you. This offers benefits in terms of selecting the equipment that best meets your individual needs, but also brings some additional considerations such as equipment vendor selection, feature evaluation, warranties, as well as service and support.

When selecting an equipment vendor, look for a vendor with a longstanding record for quality products and high reliability. In addition to typical IP-PBX providers, you might want to also consider your current Wide Area Network (WAN) hardware vendors. Some traditional WAN vendors have expanded their portfolios to include LAN products since IP is now the technology of choice for the WAN. These vendors have been the ones you have relied on for all of your data transmission and with whom you have a good comfort level. These vendors are using their expertise with data to develop high-quality, reliable products that take your total network (both voice and data) into consideration.

Interoperability; industry standards, and the ability to expand for future growth in terms of users, features, and functionality should also be examined. Make sure to evaluate products that have the features that are really needed and that integrate into your current network infrastructure. Some systems may offer a long list of "whiz-bang" features, but these features are of no benefit if they are never implemented. You do not want to pay for something you are not using.

Since you are responsible for equipment maintenance and repair, choose products that offer extended warranties. Service and support are also very important. Products that offer free technical support and the availability of reasonably priced service contracts bring added value and help protect your investment. Close attention to these considerations will help define the system you need and lower the total cost of ownership over the life of your network.

Jan Heering is Enterprise Networks Marketing Manager at ADTRAN, 256-963-8320; email: jan.heering@adtran.com; web: www.adtran.com.