Recently, ECS assisted a mid-size business moving from the east side to downtown Seattle. ECS coordinated the moving of the Avaya Aura Communication Manager Servers and Gateways, as well as provided new phones, programming changes, etc. The move of the technology went smooth and the set up at the new location happened quickly.
Unfortunately, a hitch did exist. That hitch came in the form of their voice carrier service provider (dial-tone). The provider had issues related to Demarc extension, available phone numbers, and installation access problems. The worst problem they encountered was a timing issue, in that they did not have the circuits ready by the time the customer’s move in date.
The provider ended up failing to provision the circuits by the move date, and then ran out of DID numbers to offer them. The customer was forced to move into their new space without any voice service (dial-tone). ECS and the customer worked together to come up with a “work-around” and they managed to get reasonable temporary phone service in their new space. This is not a typical occurrence, but it can and does happen.
Don’t fall victim to this same situation. Here are some steps to help:
- Use ECS as an agent to your carrier service provider. Let ECS manage the move for you and work with the carrier service provider to ensure the move goes as smooth as possible. ECS works with Comcast, Integra, Century Link, Intermedia and others.
- Identify your target move date as soon as possible and notify your provider or ECS as your agent early. Installation can take weeks to complete, especially if you are porting numbers from one area to another or from one provider to another.
- Have ECS complete an assessment of your current set up.
- The provider will generally only bring your circuits into the building, not to your suite or telecom room. Have ECS complete a site survey of your new building/suite to find out where the Demarc is and what it will take to extend it if necessary.
- Create a project timeline with ECS so everyone involved is on the same page.
- Question everything! Really! Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. We are here to help.
(Article by Charles Bressler – ECS Account Manager)