If a move to the cloud is in your future, hopefully you've been able to do some advance preparation, as I've previously recommended. In addition, you'll need to keep in mind a variety of technical considerations.
First, your risk moves from your data center to your cloud connection. If you have a premises system now, then you're at risk for a failure of the system in your data center and for a failure of your connectivity to the outside world (PRIs, SIP trunks, etc.). When you move to a cloud environment, the risk of system failure moves to the cloud provider. The provider mitigates this risk by having multiple data centers; redundancy in power, cooling, etc.; and established security protocols, among other things.
But for you, all the risk now centers around your ability to connect with that cloud provider. Without that connectivity, your services are either nonexistent or severely compromised. Making sure that this doesn't occur becomes more important than ever when moving communications to the cloud.
You can mitigate this risk in several ways:
Costs vary for these options, and you'll need to do some configuration to make failovers seamless. Figuring out the best solution for your situation can take some investigation and analysis.
Second, your infrastructure must be ready for VoIP. Your premises-based system may still support digital phones and/or true analog connections. If you haven't moved to VoIP already, you need to ensure that your network is ready to support it because cloud solutions require IP voice connections. Cloud providers don't support digital devices, and they require converters for analog devices. The list of infrastructure considerations includes the ability to support Power over Ethernet (PoE), and configuration of your network for quality of service (QoS). You may require new cabling at locations where a phone exists by itself (like a lobby, break room, etc.) and connects by Cat 3 cabling, since this cable doesn't support VoIP. You may also need additional power and UPS in the closets at the edge.
Third, you must be prepared for porting your numbers. Typically, the cloud provider takes over your phone numbers and points them into its cloud, routing the calls to you over the oh-so-important connection mentioned above. Moving the numbers to the cloud provider is called "porting."
The most important thing you can do to prepare for this is to compile an accurate inventory of your existing numbers and identify their use. Sounds easy, right? This is often much harder than it sounds, especially if you have a system that's been in place for some time.
The first step is to obtain a record of the numbers that your existing carrier thinks you have. Sometimes this list doesn't match what you have in service, and making corrections can be a laborious process. Give yourself time to get this done, if needed.
Next, you should work with your cloud provider on your migration strategy. Do you want to have one big move, or are you planning to move more gradually? Can your provider support your strategy? We've seen a lot of variation among providers in the "rules" that govern these moves, so don't assume anything without talking to your provider about whether it can accommodate your plans. (For a more in-depth look at number porting, see the No Jitter post, "Number Porting Insanity," and the comments following it.)
A move to the cloud involves a lot of decisions and isn't always as easy as promised by the sales team. Becoming aware of the issues and challenges will help you prepare and improve your chances for success.
For a deeper dive on this topic, join me at Enterprise Connect 2018 and attend my session, "Avoiding the 'Gotchas' in a Cloud Migration," taking place on Wed., March 14, at 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Register now
using the code NOJITTER to save an additional $200 off the Advance Rate or get a free Expo Plus pass.
"SCTC Perspectives" is written by members of the Society of Communications Technology Consultants, an international organization of independent information and communications technology professionals serving clients in all business sectors and government worldwide.
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