Requests for proposals, or RFPs, can be lucrative sources of new business. These documents can also require a lot of resources to answer, with no guarantee of a successful outcome.
When in-house experts are stretched thin or unavailable, some channel partners decide against pursuing RFPs. But RFPs can be the avenue to new, often very larger, clients. The key is to partner with a firm that can offload some of the effort required by an RFP response, provide valuable technical support, and offer compelling reasons to choose your firm.
Cloud9 Infrastructure is that partner.
At every stage of the process, from RFP preparation through technical review and the actual implementation, Cloud9 Infrastructure provides unparallelled support and expertise.
Comprehensive RFP Support
Cloud9 Infrastructure can be a valuable partner from the day the RFP arrives.
While the channel partner manages the process, Cloud9 Infrastructure can answer the carrier- and infrastructure-related technical questions and provide detailed information on compliance, regulatory fees and taxes. The channel partner will be responsible for answering all other RFP-related questions.
We’ll even provide Visio drawings and support information to demonstrate how your proposal will meet or exceed the requirements listed in the RFP. In short, our team
can help you provide expert answers to the carrier- and infrastructure-related sections quickly and efficiently to impress the prospective client.
Solution Implementation
After the channel partner signs the deal, Cloud9 Infrastructure works behind the scenes to provide any required technical support, including:
- Remote programming
- Assistance with focus groups and information gathering
- Provisioning, including preparing virtual servers
Plus, as your infrastructure partner, we’ll back all installations with white-glove, U.S.-based service and support 24/7/365.
Proof of Concept
Cloud9 Infrastructure offers a value-add that can enhance the deal: a proof-of-concept test drive for the RFP organization. At no charge to the channel partner or the client, Cloud9 Infrastructure will provide a fully functional pilot system for the client to evaluate.
Managed Private Cloud
Many RFPs specify or assume the solution will be a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) system. Cloud9 Infrastructure hosts all communications on a managed private cloud, an enterprise-grade solution that offers more:
- Security
- Flexibility
- Reliability
- Scalability
A managed private cloud essentially belongs to the organization. The organization has full control over the operating system, applications, and access. Most importantly, a managed private cloud utilizes multi-instance architecture.
Most UCaaS providers use a muti-tenant architecture, where several organizations share the same virtual servers, operating system, and applications. This approach keeps costs down but means that organizations can’t choose and/or modify their own operating systems or applications. Even upgrades fall beyond the control of each organization that shares space on the virtual servers.
With Cloud9 Infrastructure’s managed private cloud, each organization has its own dedicated, purpose-built virtual servers, with complete control over operating systems, upgrades, and applications. No resources are shared with other organizations, and hackers who compromise another organization’s virtual servers have no access.
A Trustworthy Partner
One thing Cloud9 Infrastructure will never do is interfere with the relationship between the channel partner and the prospect or client. As a Mitel Platinum Partner and a Mitel-exclusive partner, Cloud9 Infrastructure follows the same rules of engagement as Mitel. We will never compete with channel partners for their customers. We operate behind the scenes to strengthen your relationships with your customers.
Go After More RFPs
For channel partners who are reluctant to take on RFPs or aren’t winning as many as they should, Cloud9 Infrastructure can offer a path to more business. For more information or to discuss an upcoming RFP, please contact us at 800.947.0007 or email mitel@cloud9infrastructure.com.
