Telephones

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS PREPARATION Discuss: Desirable/Undesirable features, especially present feature you do not want to lose. Allow for 5-7 years of company growth in the phone systems. Have the phone wires installed before the walls in the new office are up. Consult with phone & construction companies to determine if Teflon cables are required. Consider battery backup for new system: telephone closet/dedicated electrical outlet. CHOOSING A VENDOR Make sure sales rep has completed a thorough survey of your communication needs. Consider/compare guaranteed response time for repairs and standard service. Get references of similar firms. Visit an installed system at vendor's or another customer's site. Ask vendor who is responsible for ordering new lines. Get and post easily remembered numbers.
CHECKLIST	DAYS BEFORE MOVE
Hold management meeting to discuss needs.	180
Contact phone companies for survey.	120
Hold second management meeting to discuss suggestions from the phone companies.	90
Get final proposals from phone companies and check references.	90
Select 2 companies/visit sites for demonstration.	90
Decide on company.	90
Meet with phone rep form from selected company.	60
Reserve phone numbers with local company, decide on long distance carrier, and schedule.	60
Schedule phone wires to be installed.	60
Schedule training sessions for employees to learn new phone system.	1