TMCnews Featured Article

When implementing technology, it always makes sense to install it in phases or in a phased implementation.

 

These parts of your implementation will make you a believer in Murphy's Law, Finagle's Law (Hackers and Science fiction writers’ version) or as its known in England-- Sod's law.

 

For example toast will always land butter side down--- Adolph Coors III, who was allergic to beer, was the heir to the Coors beer empire – being allergic to beer is bad fortune for many--- but it is Sod’s Law that someone allergic to beer would inherit a beer empire.

 

 

First, determine the communication infrastructure that is being developed--

Is it in place? Is it analog or digital? T-1 based, E-1 or copper lines (POTS)? POTS (Plain old telephone service) is the service available from analogue telephones prior to the introduction of electronic telephone exchanges into the public switched telephone network. These services have been available almost since the introduction of the telephone system in the late 19th century. The system was originally known as the Post Office Telephone Service or Post Office Telephone System in many countries. The term was dropped as telephone services were removed from the control of national post offices.

 

 

Second, is there an Existing PBX in place? Is it viable? Or is a newer “Voice over IP” (VoIP) System in your future? What are the advantages and disadvantages of any of these components?

 

Third, determine how the Predictive Dialer interfaces with the PBX system. Is it going to, or can it use existing infrastructure? Or will it be interfaced using a different scheme? What’s the age of the PBX? Can it be serviced in the future?

 

When was the last time the number of communications lines was audited? I bet they never have. Are you paying too much for lines you aren’t using? How many Telco lines do you have? Most companies don’t really know especially if they installed many lines more than 10 years ago, and the Telco Company has gone through a few mergers and acquisitions, upsizing and downsizing. AT&T (News - Alert), Sprint (News - Alert), and MCI are all names we’ve heard of, it’s not in their interest to Audit line usage.

 

Fourth, will the Predictive be used to transfer to and from the PBX directly or indirectly? What’s the best method for your communications carrier to deliver those Telco lines?

 

Fifth, determine the number and types of Agent Stations needed. The “I’ve got a LIVE ONE” calls need to go somewhere. Will using your existing equipment work and how will that equipment fit into the overall plan now and in your long term plan? Will the Agents be in-house? Or will your Agents be distributed in other locations around the Globe?

 

Sixth, how does the new equipment fit into your existing Ethernet Network? How are the router and switches being integrated?

 

There is no 100% plan that will take care of every instance presented. Our job is to recommend what we feel is the best plan for you, based on our many levels of expertise. Then let you build it into your business processes.

 

Each of those phases has various pieces of equipment and software to be installed as part of the implementation.

 

Every ingredient also must have a level of proficient people and services that provide systems integration, front end development, installation, and project management during the install process.

 

Also, there needs to be a point person who is responsible for overseeing the overall implementation-- to keep the project within parameters, cost, and on-time.

 

An effective plan and schedule can help identify the order to take necessary steps in for the best installation channel for the customers, employees, and the business. Also it wouldn’t hurt to ask during the team meeting for any eventualities some of the members have faced during previous installations dealing with companies like the telecommunication vendors.

 

 

Murphy's Law (also known as Finagle's law or Sod's law) is a popular adage in Western culture, which broadly states that things will go wrong in any given situation in which error is possible. "If there's more than one way to do a job, and one of those ways will result in disaster, then somebody will do it that way." It is most commonly formulated as "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Technically speaking, this latter definition is incorrect, given that it refers more accurately to the law of pessimism.

 

That said; always take the installation phase with a grain of salt. It isn’t Rocket Science, but more like a recipe in which you must follow some basic steps. And always have some alternative plans laid out just in case a phase falls apart. (Murphy-Finagle-Sod) “MFS”.

 

It is not productive to let stress take the better part of the installation process. There are two types of stress: eustress ("positive stress") and distress ("negative stress"), roughly meaning challenge and overload. Both types may be the result of negative or positive events MFS.

 

If a person both wins the lottery and has a beloved relative die on the same day, one event does not cancel the other — both are stressful events. When the word stress is used alone, typically it is referring to distress. With effective installation planning you will be a victim of positive stress.

 

 

This stage begins by ensuring that the proper people are involved in the Call Center project in both a pre-sales and post-sales mode to analyze the company's requirements so that the right mix of people, process, and technology can be applied to the customer care center solution. OPC Marketing's technology sales group will make sure no single component of your installation is overlooked.

 

The analysis includes understanding your business direction, focus and value, as well as the short and long term vision, technological environment, and culture.

 

The likeliness of the project is decided on during this stage.

 

 

 

 

 

Does your organization have an overall sound relationship management strategy?