g term. In addition to the vendor's track record, check the product's as well. In some cases, the software has not been developed by that company, but was purchased from the developer. Find out how many companies it has gone through and how many versions there have been. 134 The Telecom Handbook CHAPTER 6 8. User Group Activity. One of the biggest pluses for a telemanagement company is that they have a user group that meets annually. User groups put the users in com- munication with each other. They pool knowledge, share experiences and influence product development. These meetings also give users added clout, ensuring that the vendor continues to support them in a satisfac- tory manner. 9. Implementation Support. Most of the cost and effort associated with a telemanagement system comes from the initial setup of the system. Information that goes into the database must be collected, and a standard coding scheme (i.e., numbers that distinguish between telephones and PCs, for example) must be developed. If you do not al- ready have good records, this process can be labor intensive. Find out if there are any features that facilitate implementation. Autoload capabilities, for instance, en- able a PBX to load all its programming information into the system. Purchasing a telemanagement system represents a substan- tial investment, SO make an informed decision. The above guidelines will give you a head start on the selection process. The Telecom Handbook 135 Taylor & Francis Taylor & Francis Group http://taylorandfrancis.com PART II Telecommunications Convergence The Telecom Handbook e 137 Taylor & Francis Taylor & Francis Group http://taylorandfrancis.com CHAPTER 7 Convergence of Voice and Data Perspective Often the "next big thing" in telecommunications is ini- tially driven by what the manufacturers develop and decide to sell, rather than by what the consumers of the products and services really want. Some of today's most widely accepted telecommunications developments were never expected to be as great a success as t