Click to enlargeCreating RFPs for<br>IP Telephony Systems<a name="top">

PBX, IP Telephony, and IP Centrex System & Services

Author: Robert T. Flood

Number of Pages: 86
Number of Diagrams: 10

Printed or Electronic Version (2.1MB) Available - Electronic Version has Color Diagrams




This book explains the typical objectives and processes that are involved in the creation and response to request for proposals (RFPs) for IP Telephony systems and services. It covers the key objectives for the RFP process, who is involved in the creation and management of the RFP, and how vendors are invited, evaluated, and notified of the RFP vendor selection result.

You will learn what are RFPs and RFQs and why and when companies use and RFPs for more....

Sample Text and Diagrams

There are 10 explanatory diagrams in this book

Key IP Telephony System Requirements

Figure 1.6 shows the many requirements that are commonly considered when creating a request for proposal (RFP) for an IP Telephony system. This diagram shows that some of the requirements include services such as telecom voice and data communication. The requirements also include installation, testing, and support requirements along with disaster recovery and security considerations..


RFP Document Creation Process

Figure 1.7 shows that the creation of a request for proposal (RFP) document typically involves content and feedback from multiple departments within a company. Approval and formatting requirements come from the purchasing department, terms and conditions from the legal department, financing terms from the accounting department, company background information from the public relations (PR) department, and critical date requirements from the operations (Ops) department.


Table of Contents

Creating RFPs for IP Telephony Systems

Company Communication System Requirements and Acquisition

- Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Request for Quote (RFQ)

Defining Communications Requirements

- Contracting Authority
- Requirement Dates
- Decision Criteria

Why Use an RFP for IP Telephony Systems

- Issuing and Approval Authority
- Requirement Dates
- Clear Instructions to Vendors
- Unbiased Decision Criteria
- Ensure that all Issues are Addressed
- Minimize Sales Pitch Misunderstandings
- Establish Realistic Expectations
- Ensure Best Solution
- Establish Scope of Communications Convergence effort
- Clarify Pricing and Financing Options

Key RFP Objectives

- 1. Provide an Optimal Solution for Company’s
- Communications Requirements
- 2. Set Stage for a Successful Cutover
- 3. Clearly convey the needs and desired specifications for the Company’s Requirements

Identifying Company Communication and Information System Requirements

- Telecommunications Requirements
- Data Requirements
- Company Background
- Company’s Current Situation
- Company’s Growth Expectations

What are the Key IP Telephony System Requirements?

- Telecommunication Requirements
- Data Requirements
- Emergency Response
- Security
- Wiring
- Disaster Recovery
- Terminal Equipment
- Features
- Call Attendant
- Messaging
- Traffic Routing
- Call Center
- Ancillary Systems and Equipment
- Network Interface
- Internet Access
- System Administration
- Implementation Requirement
- Testing Requirements

What Goes into an RFP?

- General Procedure
- Issuing Company General Information
- Respondents General Information
- Requirements and Specifications
- Terms and Conditions
- Pricing and Financing Options

How to Issue an RFP

- Define and Gain Approval for Requirements
- Define Issuing Authority
- Define Expected Format of Proposals
- Define Expected Requirement Dates
- Determine Prospective Suppliers
- Prepare RFP documentation
- Setup Pre-Proposal Conferences
- Release RFP

Creating Responses to Received RFP’s

- Receive and Review RFP Responses
- Answer Questions and Clarify Points
- Release Proposal Questions and Clarification Requests with Responses
- Receive and Review Clarification Responses

Evaluating RFP Responses and Selecting a Winner

- Judging Criteria Review
- Assess Options
- Decision Matrix
- Weighting Options
- Select Winner(s) and Notify Respondents

RFP Template

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About the Author

Robert T. Floodhas had a distinguished 30-year career in the telecommunications industry. As a renowned speaker at forums around the globe, Robert is a noted authority on Internet Protocol (IP) telephony. Prior to co-founding PingTone Communications, a provider of managed IPT services to corporations and business users worldwide, Robert was the chief technology officer of Cable & Wireless Global, managing a $3 billion capital budget and 1,500 employees worldwide. Robert was previously the chief technology officer and senior vice president of engineering for ICG Communications, driving the Denver-based telecommunications company into 83 markets. At ICG Flood pioneered Voice over Internet Protocol (IP), covering 188 long distance markets within an 8-month period. Prior to that, he worked for CenTel for 19 years in senior engineering positions. Robert serves on the Board of Directors of several technology companies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nebraska, completed the executive program at the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

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Description

This book explains the typical objectives and processes that are involved in the creation and response to request for proposals (RFPs) for IP Telephony systems and services. It covers the key objectives for the RFP process, who is involved in the creation and management of the RFP, and how vendors are invited, evaluated, and notified of the RFP vendor selection result.

You will learn what are RFPs and RFQs and why and when companies use and RFPs for IP Telephony Systems. Covered are the key objectives that RFP must satisfy along with the general creation processes used by most companies to create and manage the RFP process. Companies usually involve multiple departments in the creation of the RFP process to identify communication requirements for the entire company. You will discover who is involved in the Creation of an RFP and the typical steps performed during the creation of the RFP document.

Explained are the methods used to issue and manage RFPs including how and when companies typically communicate questions and how clarifications are sent to vendors when new options, objectives, or features are discovered in the RFP response process. Also included is sample outline of a typical RFP. Some of the most important topics featured in this book are:

• What are RFPs and RFQs
• Why use and RFP for IP Telephony Systems
• What are the Key RFP Objectives and Processes
• How to Identify Company Communication Requirements
• Who is involved in the Creation of an RFP
• The Typical Steps in Creating an RFP Document
• How to Issue and Manage RFPs
• Evaluating RFP Responses
• RFP Communication between Issuer and Responder
• Outline Template for a typical RFP

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