When undertaking public switched telephone network (PSTN) migration projects, businesses should first have a plan in place that lays out capabilities, detailed instructions for execution, and partners. Migration brings about specialized issues and can be complex to implement, and it affects most areas of the business. However, a well-planned and well-executed migration brings many benefits, including:

• Lowered OPEX
• Reduction in costs
• Opportunities to upsell

Keep in mind that there are also four major challenges to overcome before a successful migration:

• Lack of experts in PSTN: Many telephone professionals are close to retirement
• Managing daily activities without interruption while the migration is happening
• Required input from stakeholders; ensuring that all stakeholders know the benefits of migration
• Effective control of the complexities of migration to avoid rising costs, running out of time, or interrupting vital operations

Ensuring a Successful Migration

Balance is the key to a successful PSTN migration project, ensuring that costs are kept down, services aren’t interrupted, and the project completes on time. A business-focused approach is vital to ensuring that milestones are reached and that the migration delivers the promised benefits. This can be accomplished by following four steps:

• Having the right plan
• Using the right tools and skills
• Ensuring an industrial-scale execution
• Choosing the right partner

The Right Plan

A detailed plan is the first step to ensuring a successful PSTN migration, based on the business’s unique goals and requirements. The planning process is a chance to assess potential risks and the business’s current capabilities, and lay out a realistic schedule for each process.

The Right Tools

PSTN migration is a complicated endeavor and cannot be accomplished in bits and pieces, or without the help of experts. Businesses need to know beforehand whether or not they have experts in-house, or whether they have to look outside the organization — and where they can look. An assessment from a vendor or from consultants will allow the business to recognize risks and mitigate them, as well as decide how much they can accomplish with their own resources.

Industrial-Scale Execution

When planning out a PSTN migration, businesses need to be aware of the scale of such a project. Migration will affect both employees — who will need new equipment and training — and customers, who may have their services interrupted. Businesses can help reduce the risks associated with large-scale execution by using the following tools:

• A dedicated migration team
• Streamlined management of resources and tasks
• Tools designed specifically for mass migration
• Specialized tools for field technicians

The Right Partner

Working with an experienced partner is usually the most cost-effective solution for migration because doing so gets the job done right the first time. When looking for the right partner, businesses should find one that:

• Has real-world experience with both legacy and next-gen networks
• Can provide the appropriate tools
• Will be objective
• Can be relied on to mitigate costs and time

An efficient PSTN migration is a complex project, but it doesn’t have to be a headache. Having a plan in place, knowing the risks, and gathering all the resources the business needs before beginning the migration will ensure a smooth transition, especially with the aid of experts.