Decision Criteria for VoIP Christine Moe Common Solutions Group January 5, 2005

Remember when phones were simple?

Dials were added and styles changed, but they were still black…

Then came push buttons and color…

Every generation learned to use them at an early age…

Then things started to get complex It’s just a phone! How hard can it be?

Decision Criteria for VoIP  Motivation  How much risk is appropriate  When reality strikes  Choosing your VoIP system  Total cost of ownership

Motivation  Strategic vs tactical decision  Size and shape of campuses  State of current infrastructure  Role of emerging technologies

Risk  Human element  Service expectation  Public safety  Due diligence

Reality Strikes  Vendors set overly ambitious expectations for new technology

Gartner Hype Curve Applies to VoIP Estimate of where Stanford is today

More Reality  Universities as a vertical market  Do it or do it right  Staffing  Service expectations  Campus readiness  Not-so-hidden costs

The Good Closets… Capable of servicing the growth, security, & networking issues at Stanford for the next 7 years Good lighting and A/C Backboard space for growth Rack space for growth Proper grounding Power protection

Capable of servicing the growth, security, & networking issues at Stanford for the next 7 years More Good Closets …

Not capable of servicing the growth, security, & networking issues at Stanford for the next 7 years Difficult to work with, open to environment No backboard space for growth Little rack space for growth No grounding No power protection The Bad…

Closets that can not expand and will not support new technologies The Truly Ugly!

Choosing Your VoIP System?  Buy, lease, or outsource  Reliability/Scalability  Features/Function  Industry standards  Regulatory issues  Integration with other systems

Total Cost of Ownership  On premises PBX or Centrex?  Where do you converge services?  Beyond the “call server” purchase  Service expectations  Reuse/Refresh  Ongoing support  Cost of NOT deciding

Summary  Timing consideration for VoIP installations will most probably be when, not if  Nothing takes the place of due diligence  Many types of coin  Many, many solutions  Don’t drink the marketing Kool-Aid

Thank you! Christine Moe