Sorry about the military lingo in the post, but it gets difficult coming up with snappy yet topical slogans for the title.
I will be the first to admit I have limited business dealing experience. Today was my first time negotiating on a big business deal. Our Data Center deal was big, but not close to this hardware purchase.
We did it. We signed the contracts. We are now the proud owners of a Cisco Voice Over IP hardware solution running a call center package called Zeacom Smart-connect. It is light years ahead of what we are running now, but it is also sort of a compromise. It is an advancement because we are currently using an old phone switch that is near its capacity. The switch also was never designed as a call center switch. It is a trade off because we are keeping our current software. The users like it, but it has been difficult to manage so far. We are told it is easier when using VOIP.
You would think I am happy. I am, but I can’t relax just yet. We still have voice and data circuits to order and install. Telecom companies have no idea about deadlines. I gave 2 of them deadlines of today and both of them blew them. One lost the deal because of it, the other I am willing to wait till monday.
Now that we bought all this stuff I need to actually have it built. And all sorts of other hardware needs to be purchased. For example we need desktop computers, server and other crap. I need to work on those quotes also. I also need to measure our server room for space, and figure out our cable plans. Tons to do, and about a month to do it in. I really don’t think we can keep this target date, but the boss wants it so I will do all I can to meet it. That translates into no life for about 4-8 weeks. Not that I had a big social life in the past 4-8 weeks.
I am physically and emotionally exhausted from todays activities. Who would have thought sitting and talking in a conference room would be so tiring?
I am on the train going home friday night. I am tired. That means I will stop writing. More over the weekend after I rest some.