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Many small and medium sized companies are moving their communications to the cloud these days and, in some cases, ending up with more headaches than benefits. The secret to successfully implementing IP communications is choosing the right VoIP management solutions. If done properly, companies can reap the benefits of modern communications technology.

A recent blog post at itnewsafrica.com detailed four important steps companies must consider when selecting a VoIP management provider. The first step, of course, is to find out about the reputation of the prospective provider. Does the company have a strong track record? Does it have references you can check? Do they have the necessary skills to support their deployments and help you whenever you may have problems?

The next factor to consider is your connectivity. If your Internet connection is not suited to VoIP traffic, it will lead to frustration down the road. You can do speed and quality tests on your connection to ensure it meets the minimum standards for the services you need.

Before switching to VoIP, it is also a good idea to determine exactly what value it will add to your business. Find out if the provider in question offers a complete solution; VoIP is not merely about savings alone. Think about whether the switchover will improve business communications, workflow, cost management or customer service.

Finally, you should investigate the financial relationship you’ll have with the service provider, should you choose it. Is there a high up-front cost involved? What are the monthly fees? What is the length and nature of the contract you are expected to sign?

If you keep all of the above in mind, it will be much easier to avoid VoIP horror stories and select the VoIP management solution that is right for your business.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

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