Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements
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So a question has come to me which is specifically: How fast is your internet?
And while this is a very simple explanation, I have a feeling that many people this question will be sent to, will come back with more questions. IE: How should I know? How come you need this? How do I determine this?
A simple speed test would give us a solid indication of the locations internet speed obviously, but asking customers to do this can be like pulling teeth.
You want what? No because our IT person isn't here (blah blah blah)
How would you guys put this on your questionnaires for any new clients?
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I work for an ISP currently and that is one of the main things we have to do to diagnose connection issues. When explained properly it's not usually that hard to talk someone through a speed test. Speedtest.net, hit the "Begin Test" button, and read me back the results. This is probably going to still be the best option for you. If your client is willing to fill out a questionnaire for you, they should be decently willing enough to run a speed test.
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@FiyaFly That is exactly what I think will need to occur anyways, but I have a nagging feeling based on our clients (gov't and company) that getting them to actually perform a speed test would be like having a root canal without any anesthesia.
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@DustinB3403 I can't say it won't be like that, but I've walked predominantly Chinese college students through a speed test before, so I do know it is possible. By Chinese, I mean to the point of barely English speaking.
But, it sounds more like a 'political' issue for you than a competency one. They may fight you because "That's not my job" or "I'm not authorized to do that."
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@FiyaFly said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
But, it sounds more like a 'political' issue for you than a competency one. They may fight you because "That's not my job" or "I'm not authorized to do that."
That is my concern the "not authorized to do so", but to provide our services to them, we need this information. Otherwise we have to offer different services...
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@DustinB3403 When you're fighting office politics like that, my vote is if you've got your foot in the door enough for them to be interested enough to answer a questionnaire, your response to 'I'm not authorized' might best be something along the lines of 'Then point me to someone who is' (just put nicer). Honestly they must understand to an extent you cannot help them without getting information.
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It's starting to sound to me, without additional information, that these questionnaires you're sending out are to the wrong people. The head honchos will know speeds because they made that decision. The IT will know because they're IT. Who else are you sending it to?
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@FiyaFly said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
It's starting to sound to me, without additional information, that these questionnaires you're sending out are to the wrong people. The head honchos will know speeds because they made that decision. The IT will know because they're IT. Who else are you sending it to?
The customer who specifically orders our services, unfortunately that person is rarely involved or in direct communication with someone from the IT department.
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@DustinB3403
Considering that they are decision makers, they should have a decent idea on what speeds of internet they pay for, especially if they are deciding on purchases of IT services. -
We aren't an IT service provider. But I do see how this conversation could make you think that.
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@DustinB3403 Fair enough. My mistake for assuming on that one. I apologize. Though, still in my mind, as a decision maker they should, in theory, have at least some knowledge on that purchase, or be able to find it. Maybe not via speed test, but via billing, IT, C-level execs. I feel like in this day and age quite a few departments have an idea of that.
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@FiyaFly So what do you think is a decent way to ask the question?
To me asking "What is your facilities internet speed?" seems awkwardly posed. Some times these people are just buyers and are directed by higher ups to call us, order X and get it done by some day.
Which is fine of course. But the detail is still needed, without being overly complicated.
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Well, I would see it as you have two ways you can go about it, depending on your reasoning for finding out this information.
"How fast is your internet?" coupled with "Do you find yourself waiting for pages to load or items to download more than you'd like?" may be a good starting point without getting into detail. It will at least tell you their level of satisfaction with their current speeds.
Or
"What internet speed does your company pay for?"
This should at the very least prompt them to ask the right people. If they were tasked with taking interest in your services, they should be at least partially invested in getting you the information you need.
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@FiyaFly said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
@DustinB3403 Fair enough. My mistake for assuming on that one. I apologize. Though, still in my mind, as a decision maker they should, in theory, have at least some knowledge on that purchase, or be able to find it. Maybe not via speed test, but via billing, IT, C-level execs. I feel like in this day and age quite a few departments have an idea of that.
Oh man - this is a problem I have around here - people just decide that they need a new website to make something work. be damned that the website needs a 4 year old version of Java and only runs on XP - they gotta have it.
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I think you might have failed long before you come to this point.
Why not back this whole thing up.
On your website that talks about your services, have a button that says - test my connection to make sure this service will work for you. have you web team install their own speed test - thing - and you can do a test directly from your own system to make sure they won't have any issues because they even look any further.
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@Dashrender said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
I think you might have failed long before you come to this point.
Why not back this whole thing up.
On your website that talks about your services, have a button that says - test my connection to make sure this service will work for you. have you web team install their own speed test - thing - and you can do a test directly from your own system to make sure they won't have any issues because they even look any further.
The issue with this is that we could potentially loose clients without even knowing about them. And we can still provide our service, just a less bandwidth intense variety of it.
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@DustinB3403 said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
@Dashrender said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
I think you might have failed long before you come to this point.
Why not back this whole thing up.
On your website that talks about your services, have a button that says - test my connection to make sure this service will work for you. have you web team install their own speed test - thing - and you can do a test directly from your own system to make sure they won't have any issues because they even look any further.
The issue with this is that we could potentially loose clients without even knowing about them. And we can still provide our service, just a less bandwidth intense variety of it.
Then make your website give the options - or don't do the test until after they click through. But make the running of the test a requirement when someone calls you - Hey before I can talk about pricing for whatever, you need to visit our website and click this button. The questionnaire seems just weird.
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@Dashrender And what if the buyer isn't at the facility where the bulk of the participants are joining from? Or what if there are participants joining from a starbucks or mc.d's etc. . .
Then we'd have misleading information and the supposed promise of a successful product delivery.
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@DustinB3403 said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
@Dashrender And what if the buyer isn't at the facility where the bulk of the participants are joining from? Or what if there are participants joining from a starbucks or mc.d's etc. . .
Then we'd have misleading information and the supposed promise of a successful product delivery.
LOL like you can ever get away from that! Then you list in HUGE letters - these tests need to be done from any locatoin that will be used for this training to ensure compatibility.
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@Dashrender said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
@DustinB3403 said in Ways to describe location bandwidth requirements:
@Dashrender And what if the buyer isn't at the facility where the bulk of the participants are joining from? Or what if there are participants joining from a starbucks or mc.d's etc. . .
Then we'd have misleading information and the supposed promise of a successful product delivery.
LOL like you can ever get away from that! Then you list in HUGE letters - these tests need to be done from any locatoin that will be used for this training to ensure compatibility.
Eh.... "conditions apply dial-up internet not supported. TWC $14.99 not supported"
I see the customers running already...
