Recently, I have seen so many small businesses purchases the first product or service that solves their immediate problem without exploring multiple options or considering long term plans. The natural response is they don’t know the options. Know that there are always options. Ask the person trying to sell you their product what other options are available. If they are honest and want to build trust, they will discuss them with their along with pros and cons. Take that information and contact their competitor or another vendor that makes similar products to discuss their options.
Compare, Compare, Compare
Take the data that includes price, support, features, growth and other important factors to you and compare them side by side. This will give you a clearer picture of what fits your business today and 3 years from now.
Hosted Services (Software as a Services / Saas) or Local Installation
SaaS is becoming ever popular with Google, ZoHo and Hosted Voice Over IP (VoIP) services.
The main attractions are:
1) Upfront cost is less
2) No hardware or software to implement and
3) Upgrades or feature enhancements are rolled out to all customers.
SaaS does have it’s place but there is an on-site local product or service alternative. They have advantages
to:
1) You own the product, no one can take it away or shut it down
2) Quicker to implement changes and enhancements and
3) Many 3rd party software integration capabilities that can’t be done with a hosted provider.
Conclusion
We all just want our immediate problems to go away. Stop and thing about your companies long term needs, Total Cost of Ownership and compare multiple solutions for your overall needs.
Aaron Magruder
NonStop Networks, LLC
Cisco Unified Communications Solutions
http://www.nonstopnetworks.net
(816) 846-0676
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There is no warranty in the information listed. It is always recommended that your seek the advice of a trusted professional.
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NonStop Networks, LLC is dedicated to small and medium business Cisco Unified Communications Solutions including planning, design, installation and support. Our comprehensive range of Cisco services and products include Networking, Network Management, Security, Wireless, Video, Voice Systems and Telecommunications Service (Internet, Voice, MPLS, Cellular).
We specialize in:
• Small businesses looking to replacement their aging phone system or a start-up looking for their first VoIP phone system
• Medium sized businesses with understaffed voice, security and network groups that need staff augmentation, looking for a reliable Cisco Partner.
What makes us different?
1. We care about your business and provide personalized service. As Network Operators, Engineers and Managers we have been in your shoes and know what it takes to make you successful.
2. Expert Service from Sales to Design to Implementation to Support.
3. Priced Right. Our services are ~35% less than other companies providing CCIE resources. We are only interested in selling you the right sized services and equipment for your project, not what will make us the most profit.
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