Help with a project.
A company that provides counseling, education and career assistance to rural citizens countywide, found out the advantages of using VoIP. Five staff members work in the central office, which is located in the county seat and is connected to the Internet via a T1 that's shared with the county government offices. Three other staff members work from their homes in three small towns, each at least 30 miles away from the county seat. Two of the home offices connect to the Internet using DSL, and the third home office connects using broadband cable service. What seven questions would you ask the company's staff (for example, related to their business practices or current technology) to determine whether VoIP makes sense for them.
What single factor might make or break the company's entry into VoIP?
To determine whether VoIP makes sense for the company, here are seven questions you can ask the company's staff:
1. How frequently do your staff members communicate with each other? Do they make a lot of phone calls or rely more on emails and messaging apps?
Explanation: Understanding their communication needs will help gauge the importance of a voice communication system like VoIP.
2. What are the current challenges your staff faces in terms of communication, especially considering the geographical distance between the county seat and the small towns?
Explanation: Identifying the specific challenges will help identify if VoIP can address these issues effectively.
3. How reliable and consistent is the existing phone service in both the central office and the home offices?
Explanation: If the current phone service is unreliable or inconsistent, VoIP may offer a more stable and consistent communication solution.
4. What is the current phone bill for the company, including long-distance charges?
Explanation: Understanding the company's telecommunication costs will help determine if VoIP can provide cost savings.
5. Are there any features or functionalities missing in the current phone system that the staff members require for efficient communication?
Explanation: VoIP can offer various features like call forwarding, voicemail, conference calling, etc. Understanding the staff's needs will help assess if VoIP can provide those missing functionalities.
6. Do staff members frequently travel for work or meet with clients outside the county? If yes, how do they currently communicate during these instances?
Explanation: Understanding the communication requirements during travel or client meetings can help determine if VoIP can provide the necessary flexibility and mobility.
7. How comfortable are the staff members with using and adapting to new technology?
Explanation: It's essential to know if the staff members are open to adopting and learning new technologies, as VoIP may require some initial training and adjustment.
The single factor that could make or break the company's entry into VoIP is the ability of the staff members to adapt to and effectively use the new technology. If the staff members are resistant to change or struggle to utilize the features of VoIP, it may negatively impact the company's successful transition.