7 Keys to Investing in IP-PBX Telephony for the Economic Crisis

The natural reaction of all the constant news about the global economic crisis is to succumb to panic, while it should be focused on the challenges and pay attention to the revenue stream for our business remain in a reasonable manner. So it is good that a crisis is also opportunity, and this includes the possibility to get more of what you need while investing less in this case IP/PBX Telephony is the perfect partner to create opportunities.

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An important point to remember is that technology vendors are also facing the same challenges that their company and the tendency may be to submit tenders in order to maintain cash flow, so that you can take the opportunity to do better business taking into account the following key:

1. Be sure to RFPs (Request for Proposal) and detailed request for purchase. In the current environment is a necessity in the battle to tackle the various vendors. Rather than simply choose the vendor who offers the best price or the proceeds from fashion, to select him for better services or value-added benefit to your business even in the medium or long term. Do not believe that RFPs are only for major purchases, if they are useful to buy a communications system for 500 users will also be for a 20.

Do not use any RFP. Using an RFP out for wrong or make a purchase may be worse than not using any. For example, the section of specifications must be clear and concise to avoid ambiguous phrases or signs that leave out one or more sellers then you can not negotiate the best terms.

Note that some sellers who fail to fulfill the offerings send confusing trying to confuse the purchasing staff, so the recommendation is simple: If you is not considered an expert in the field, try to hire a consultant to help you deal with suppliers who send their tenders. If your budget does not allow him to hire a consultant, consider laying at the same table on the same occasion to different proveedoresde way to openly explain their advantages, open competition between them will serve as counsel for purchases.

2. Get a contract of one year or more for the support and maintenance. If you expect your company to continue to grow after the crisis or recession, then think of buying long-term with the best prices today. It is always more effective to achieve volume discounts in the purchase of equipment, software or services if you will require for a year or more. The advantage of this strategy is that you pay less when the crisis ends and your company the momentum back before.

3. Try to get new features and / or additional services with your purchase. If you are buying an IP/PBX, there are things that your provider can offer and that the manufacturer will cost you as little or nothing, and if this is the difference in winning or losing a purchase insurance you will get. Try to negotiate services such as Unified Messaging, Reports, Call Center Management Conference, or that might be of interest for your company and does not come as part of the standard provider.

4. If you are upgrading or updating an existing system, consider a new fund. If you also considered a process or Rent Financial Leasing, could opt for a grace period without payment and also consider the tax benefits that this could lead to your company. This way you move the investment to a longer period during which the crisis could have ended while being smaller payments over time.

5. Ready to buy now. In times of recession, dealers need sales now, not six months or a year, so that sellers are ready to make concessions if you buy them now. Cisco System for example, gave greater discounts in 2008 than in 2007, reflecting that made many more concessions during the difficult days of the recession of 2008 than in 2007, good morning. The important point to remember here is that the offers and concessions are valid and will last until the seller decides, so buying time is an important factor.

6. Be ready to change their suppliers, especially in services. Many providers of communication services are more interested in getting new customers to maintain existing ones, if you are renewing a support contract hardly get additional concessions, but if you negotiate with a new provider of this insurance is willing to give advantages.

The problem here is that switching supplier can be more costly than the benefit you get with a new one, so you must choose correctly to your new provider or even sit down with your current provider and show an analysis of the possible decision to change the supplier of insurance that will attract your attention and you move to take more account of his company during the negotiation.

7. Become a showcase of technology purchases. Although this factor is not as easy as in the early days of VoIP, while sellers may be willing to include some names to its portfolio of clients associated with your brand or product. If your company is ready to open the doors and window displays of the technology you purchase is also possible that the seller is willing to provide additional services or even some discount.