Chances are, you may encounter a prospect who wants to add or replace an on-premises system. That’s what they know. That’s what they’re comfortable with. That’s what they’re asking you to provide.

And why wouldn’t you? After all, the customer knows what they want.

But there’s a powerful, compelling reason why you should recommend a system based on a managed private cloud infrastructure: E911 compliance.

Here’s why, and here’s how Cloud9 Infrastructure can help.

E911 Challenges

Emergency communications is an evolving area, and multiple E911 regulations illustrate that. Laws such as Kari’s Law and the Ray Baum Act create challenges that can affect an on-premises system when it comes to compliance.

Kari’s Law is named after the mother who died when her nine-year-old daughter couldn’t call 911 from their motel room. The reason: The young girl didn’t know she had to dial ‘9’ for an outside line.

In response, Congress passed Kari’s Law, which requires direct 911 dialing and notification capabilities in multi-line telephone systems (MLTS). Whether on-premises or cloud-based, these are typically found in office buildings, campuses, and hotels.

The Ray Baum Act, named after the lobbyist who championed it, extended the requirements of Kari’s Law to state that not only must 911 be directly accessible, but calls to 911 must also provide a dispatchable location. The FCC defines a dispatchable location as one that includes such details as building number, floor, suite, room, and other relevant location information to assist first responders

Businesses that don’t comply may be fined up to $10,000 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in addition to daily fines and other penalties for every day a system is non-compliant. Organizations face additional liabilities if something happens to their employees because their system doesn’t comply with these laws.

Navigating the E911 Compliance Jungle

If an on-premises system only employs physical phones, often the local long-distance provider will include 911 service. However, if the system, as many do, also uses softphones, it may no longer comply with E911 requirements. If an employee works from home or heads to a nearby coffee shop to work uninterrupted, a 911 call or message from their laptop could direct rescuers to the wrong place without the required E911 services.

To comply with MiVoice Business (MiVB) softphone E911 requirements, companies with on-premises systems must contract with an additional provider, such as Intrado or RedSky. The client—or the channel partner, as a trusted advisor—must be aware of all regulations to ensure that their system is compliant now and in the future.

The much easier solution is one that uses a managed private cloud, such as Cloud9 Infrastructure.

Three Reason to Choose Cloud9 Infrastructure

First, Cloud9 Infrastructure is fully compliant with all E911 regulations, making it a simple and convenient solution. When regulations change, our Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform can (and will) be quickly reprogrammed and upgraded to meet new regulations even before they become effective.

Second, using a managed private cloud from Cloud9 Infrastructure offers a one-stop shop for compliance, removing the need to contract with an additional service provider and minimizing your customer’s risk of potential liability for non-compliance with E911 regulations.

Finally, Cloud9 Infrastructure’s experts not only support channel partners, but also help channel partners throughout the sales process long before a prospect becomes a client. Cloud9 Infrastructure can provide information and data to help your clients understand the many benefits of moving from on-premises to a managed private cloud system. We offer technical information and support for your in-house teams, and we can help you show your clients how moving beyond an on-premises system can provide additional capabilities, flexibility, and security, while future-proofing their communications.

A Full-Service Resource for Channel Partners

Cloud9 Infrastructure offers channel partners unparalleled sales and sales engineering support. Our end-to-end, turnkey solution increases the value you bring to clients with your MiVB licenses and associated Mitel applications, whether they are already using cloud-based technology or are curious about how it might benefit them. We provide white-glove, U.S.-based support around the clock, 7 days per week, to Mitel channel partners. As a Mitel Platinum Partner and a Mitel-exclusive partner, fully endorsed by Mitel, Cloud9 Infrastructure can provide the infrastructure and services you and your clients need while you retain and manage the client relationship.

Please contact us today at 800.947.0007, email mitel@cloud9infrastructure.com, or visit cloud9infrastructure.com.