Strategic Planning

Everything worthwhile (Important) begins with a plan!

Over the years, it has become apparent that there are two types of organizations when it comes to strategic planning for their telecommunications infrastructure:

Type 1: Procrastinators:

These organizations do not view telecom as a strategic tool in their organization. Their phone systems are likely to be legacy equipment.

Statements they are making are:

• "Why do we need a new phone system? Our system has been running for years without any problems."
• "Our staff can’t understand how to use the phone now, I don’t want to suggest more features because that would create more calls to our help desk."
• "We never considered it important to keep our systems current and now it’s 'end of life' and we are being forced to make a change."

Type 2: Can't Execute:

This type of organization recognizes the need for new communications but do not know how to take the next steps.

Questions they are asking are:

• "All of our systems are separate; voicemail, e-mail, video, and cell. We want to bring them together under one converged infrastructure, but how do we do it?"
• "We are unable to control cost because we are simply unable to manage our cellular and desktop services. Having easy to use reporting tools would be an asset. Where do we find them?"
• "Our vendor is always willing to sell us the latest gimmicks; but is it something that we would use?"

Basic planning is something that many forget to do. It starts with the basics;

1. Inventory your equipment and services.
   Review support contracts and indentify product “road maps”.
2. Conduct a business requirements review starting with the Executive vision then proceeding with departmental needs.
   The feature requirements should always be supported by the business requirements.
3. Optimize your network and services.
   Indentify the “quick hits” and earmark monthly savings into telecom capital budgets.
4. Prioritize your applications.
   If budget constraints prevent you from purchasing all of the applications you need on day one, implement your critical applications first. Always remember to budget for application expansion in future . 
5. Monitor Your System
   All too often once a system is deployed the project is considered finished. As your business changes, your needs change; so, review your needs on a regular basis.

Strategic Planning Made Easy

Call us to see how we can help develop your strategic plan!

Nielsen IT Consulting Inc. Providing Premium Service for 11 years in Ontario.
Call Jennifer today at 519-963-3033 for more information.