A large part of being a telecom manager is migrating services from one carrier to another. A wireline migration can have many moving parts, but pales in comparison to changing wireless carriers. A wireless carrier migration requires specific coordination of device selection, service turn-up, possibly loading custom apps onto each device, delivering the device to the end-user, training the end-user on the new device and cutting over (porting) the wireless number from the former carrier to the current carrier. Each of these steps must be played out for each end-user. No wonder enterprise customers are reluctant to switch!
Fortunately, there are solutions to these migration issues. The solutions range in complexity, effort and cost, so choosing the best solution for the organization requires careful consideration. The speed at which the migration needs to take place can significantly increase the complexity and the effort (and, therefore, the cost) if an attempt of undertaking the effort with internal resources is made. If you chose to outsource the project, the complexity and effort constraints are largely lifted, but the cost must be factored in (read on how to get your outsourcing costs waived).
Using internal resources to migrate a base of wireless users requires considerable effort and planning. We have seen companies hire contractors just to support the roll out – resulting in cost that actually exceeded the outsourcing option. The device acquisition, staging and distribution tends to be the most straightforward portions of the effort. Most of the issues appear to occur in the device and phone number transition and training of users on the new platform. The post-delivery issues are difficult to plan for because they are almost always unanticipated – anticipated issues can be addressed and minimized pro-actively; it is the unanticipated or surprise issues that result in incremental effort.
In many (dare we say, most) cases, it is less expensive to retain a wireless telecom management firm to support large carrier migrations. These firms encounter few surprises since they roll out phones and wireless applications daily. When situations do arise, they typically have the personnel and expertise to understand the issue, take corrective action, and minimize its impact.
The cost of migration support typically runs from $20 to $50 per device depending upon the level of effort supplied by the wireless telecom management firm. Most of these firms can provide some flexibility on their costs, including a 100% waiver, if there is a commission opportunity from the wireless carrier. In other words, if the wireless carrier is willing to pay the wireless telecom management firm a sales commission for consummating the sale, the end-user may receive the migration services at a significant discount.
In order to determine whether you may be able to get free wireless migration support for your company, you must contact the wireless telecom management firm early in the carrier consideration process. The earlier the wireless management firm is engaged, the great your chances for a smooth and successful transition.
