Overview:  While a hosted PBX installation is much less complex than a similar on-premise PBX installation, there are still several technical tasks to complete to deliver a quality hosted business phone system.

Implementation

8X8: 8X8 ships telephones and the firewall/router to the customer premises and the customer is responsible for installing them. 8X8 will provide remote technical support to the customer upon request.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic Communications delivers the telephones, routers and any other data equipment purchased to the customer location and then installs and tests all equipment to confirm correct operation. 

On-Premise Installation Services

8X8:  8X8 offers an option to have a third-party contractor deliver and plug in telephones.  The cost is $149 for two phones and $49 for each additional phone. 

TeleDynamic:  As part of their service, TeleDynamic does a complete turnkey installation of the hosted solution.  This includes a pre-installation site inspection to confirm that the customer’s network is adequate to support a hosted PBX. This inspection also includes an on-premise meeting with the customer’s IT person to assure everything is properly prepared.  All telephones are programmed and tested prior to installation.  TeleDynamic charges $50 per phone for this inclusive turnkey installation.

Data Equipment Installation

8X8:  8X8 does not offer data equipment installation services.

TeleDynamic:  TeleDynamic delivers, installs and tests all data equipment that is purchased, unless the customer prefers to configure and install the equipment themselves.

Voice & Data Cabling

8X8:  8X8 does not provide any voice or data cabling services.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic provides voice and data cabling services.  The company can provide complete structured cabling including data racks and patch panels, as well as perform small cabling jobs.  

Vendor Site Meetings

8X8:  8X8 does not participate in vendor site meetings.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic schedules and participates in meetings at the customer’s location if required.   Participants in these meetings are IT vendors, cabling vendors, and contractors.  The purpose of these meetings is to define the project, share technical requirements and do scheduling and coordination.

Carrier Site Meetings

8X8: 8X8 does not participate in carrier site meetings.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic frequently meets with the Internet or data service carrier(s) to ensure the circuit is delivered to the proper location and that the circuit is properly tested after delivery. This avoids post-installation problems due to improper preparation for the hosted PBX implementation.

Customer Premise User & Administrative Training

8X8: They do not provide any on premise training.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic can provide on premise user and administrative training either before or after the hosted PBX installation.  

Resilient Voice/Data Network Implementation

8X8: 8X8 does not deal with computer networks

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic can provide services to implement a complete turnkey resilient and redundant voice and data network. 

Summary

8X8: 8X8’s business model is to sell equipment that is to be installed by the customer or their IT vendor. They will provide phone support to aid in the installation process, but the customer is ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of the hosted PBX service.

TeleDynamic: TeleDynamic approaches the implementation of a hosted PBX as a project for which they are fully responsible. As such, there is coordination and meetings between the various vendors and providers, scheduling, testing and then and only then, moving to the new solution. From the basic job to the complex installation, TeleDynamic will guarantee a successful turnkey implementation of a customer’s hosted PBX solution.

Conclusion: For the customer with a voice-ready network and a voice-competent IT staff, and who doesn’t mind managing the many vendors, 8X8 and TeleDynamic are both quality providers. If a customer needs a solution with a minimal amount of technical and project management involvement, TeleDynamic Communications is the better solution.