VoIP Applications - Getting it Right the First Time

VoIP Applications – Getting it Right the First Time

Nail guns have replaced hammers overtime in the construction industry. They are powerful, easy to operate and boost productivity for nailing tasks. However, nail guns are a leading cause of injury among residential ‘carpenters’. They are responsible for an estimated 37,000 emergency room visits each year in the United States alone. Puncture wounds to the hands and fingers are most common. More serious injuries, such as a nail to the head, leg and thigh often occur.

The Industrial and Construction industries provide their employees with training to prevent on the job accidents from occurring. But how can the residential ‘carpenter’ protect themselves from injury?

You are probably wondering what nail gun injuries have to do with being a Switch Telecom VoIP Partner? It’s simple really; half of these injuries could have been prevented if the nail gun user just read the manual. Comparatively, 90% of the VoIP applications we receive from our partners are incomplete and lack the required supporting documentation. The signup process would be quicker and more efficient if our partners read and checked all VoIP applications before submitting them to us for processing.

Capturing VoIP applications has become one of the most time-consuming functions within our organisation because of incomplete documentation. There is often a lot of back and forth between our partners. This can lead to an extremely frustrating signup process for our prospective clients and everyone involved.

Worst of all, even with our team following up on incomplete applications some are never completed and processed. Which is a shame as the client loses out on a cost-effective VoIP solution. In addition, there has been a lot of time and energy spent with no positive outcome.

Completing the VoIP Application is Pretty Straight Forward

Over the years we have tried to tailor the signup process to make it as easy as possible for our partners. We introduced the fillable form and now allow for most electronic signatures. Unfortunately, this has not eradicated the large volumes of incorrect and incomplete VoIP applications we receive.

Completing the VoIP Application is pretty simple and structured in such a way that it is easy to understand. The VoIP application also includes a Checklist on the first page which highlights all the supporting documentation required to complete the application process.

Here are a few pointers that you need to keep in mind before submitting a VoIP application through to Switch Telecom for processing:

If your client is filling in the form by hand and not on their computer, please ensure that all information is legible.
If you are meeting your client face to face, assist them with filling in the form on their computer instead of writing the information out. The client need only print and sign the application form once all the relevant information has been digitally captured.
Make sure the copies of the ID book, passport and other supporting documents are clear and no information has been cut off when scanning.
Ensure that you have all the supporting documentation requested on the Application Checklist.
It’s important that the last page of the contract is signed and each page is initialled.
Both the Debit Order Mandate and Porting Mandate sections of the Application require a full signature.
If there are any special instructions make sure you’ve captured this information in the Special Instructions section of the application.
Lastly, make sure that the VoIP application and supporting documents are attached to your email to Switch Telecom. We often receive blank emails with no attachments.

The Right information will always ensure the Right Solution

Always ensure that the services section has been completed in full and that no information is missing.
When selecting your client’s solution, don’t forget to select the billing package and the number range required.
Remember a Hosted Switchboard always requires a SIP Trunk Solution. Don’t forget to stipulate the number of channels (simultaneous calls) your client requires.
If your client is porting, we have to adhere to the Number Porting Regulations in South Africa. As such we require a valid, recent (not older than three months) and clear copy of their current provider invoice. The invoice needs to show the number/s porting onto the Switch Telecom network. We cannot port a number if the client is in arrears with their current provider or if they have already cancelled the number.
It’s very important to verify that the name of the client on the current supplier’s invoice matches the name on the new VoIP Application. A cede letter needs to be drafted and submitted together with the application if the details differ. This letter needs to confirm the transfer of the number or numbers from one entity to another. The authorised person who currently ‘owns’ the number/s being ported needs to sign this letter.

There is a Good Reason for everything we Do and Request

The VoIP industry is growing rapidly in South Africa, so too are the criminal elements trying to take advantage of our cost-effective solutions. Application fraud is an increasing problem and it’s for this reason we have a strict vetting process. This will ultimately protect our business and our partner’s and client’s businesses as well.

Switch Telecom is constantly looking to improve our processes and speeding up the processing of VoIP applications. We are busy developing an online signup system to make things easier. Although it’s important to note that the correct supporting documentation and information will still be a requirement for the processing of applications.

It’s for this reason that we really need our partner’s help. Please follow our guidelines and read all the correspondences that we send. We can assure you that it will never be a waste of time and it sure beats a nail in the head.