Communications consulting helps companies determine their communication needs and assists in the buying process. Consultants prioritize critical devices and services based on budget and identify useful features. They also evaluate software packages and establish a framework for future expansion.
Communications Consulting is a profession that assists companies and other organizations in determining what they need in terms of communications equipment and services to operate most efficiently. In many cases, advisors will not only provide advice on what is needed to establish a viable communication network, but will also actively assist in the buying process. The exact approach a communications consultant takes will vary based on the company’s culture, the current type of services and equipment needed, and the company’s plans for short- and long-term growth.
The goal of communications consulting is to ensure that the client has everything needed to successfully manage communications efforts and be ready for future expansion of the communications network. At the same time, consultants will also be sensitive to any limitations on the part of the client. For example, if a company has a limited budget to devote to refurbishing or building a communications network, the consultant will try to identify the most critical devices and services required and ensure they are established first. Remaining line items are prioritized based on opportunity and remaining balance of funds set aside to build the network.
Communication consultancy can address any type of electronic communication services and equipment required or desired by the client. One of the most common consulting jobs involves assembling an effective telephone system within the corporate facility. This involves assessing your company’s current needs in terms of how many lines your system needs, how many desktop units you need, and how many mobile devices you need to be able to connect with the network. The evaluation will also identify features that will be useful in doing business, such as voicemail, routing and prioritization, forwarding and parking of calls.
Along with the basic telephone system, the communications consultancy will also address other communication tools that can be of assistance to the business. This may include determining whether the company generates enough audio and video conferencing activity to merit the purchase of bridging equipment and creating trunk groups from a vendor to handle the conferencing activity. Alternatively, the consultant may determine that it is in the company’s best interest to outsource these services. If so, the consultant will identify and evaluate various audio, web and video conferencing providers and try to negotiate the most attractive rates possible for their client.
In the event that a company wishes to establish an internal data network to integrate functions such as marketing, sales and accounting, the communications consultancy will focus on purchasing equipment to meet these needs. This will also include the task of evaluating different software packages which allow for various levels of access to be assigned based on login credentials and position responsibilities. For example, salespeople may be limited to viewing customer invoices, but not be able to create or edit an invoice. Similarly, members of the accounting team can have access to information about rates or contracts issued by Sales to a particular customer, but cannot access notes entered by the sales team or any other sales function.
In the end, communications consulting is about building a framework of a communications network that will serve a client well today while establishing the foundation for future expansion if needed. In some cases, consultants are held in custody and perform an annual assessment of a client’s communication needs. Other times, the consultant may establish a contract with a specific length and a list of items that will be addressed during that time. It is not uncommon for a consultant to be actively engaged in more than one client project at a time.
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