SWAG or WAG

David Byrd : Raven Call
David Byrd
David Byrd is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer for Raven Guru Marketing. Previously, he was the CMO and EVP of Sales for CloudRoute. Prior to CloudRoute, He was CMO at ANPI, CMO & EVP of Sales at Broadvox, VP of channels and Alliances for Telcordia and Director of eBusiness development with i2 Technologies.He has also held executive positions with Planet Hollywood Online, Hewlett-Packard, Tandem Computers, Sprint and Ericsson.
| Raven Guru Marketing http://www.ravenguru.com/

SWAG or WAG

Interoperability testing (IOT) is an underappreciated function in the field of SIP Trunking. Today, Broadvox has completed testing with over 35 OEMs and 8 major IADs, the most in the industry. However, every now and again we are caught in a situation where a VAR introduces a new IP PBX or IAD to us by way of a customer order. This causes my blood pressure to jump, and as previous fried chicken and macaroni and cheese guy who loves bacon, I do not need that. In the latest situation, we ended up working with the VAR for over a week on an uncertified PBX before we got it working and we are currently using about the same amount of time with an uncertified IAD. While we are willing to test these products with either a major VAR (one who has the necessary engineering support and time) or an OEM, we do not like performing IOT with a customer or after a customer order has been placed.

First, there is no structure to the testing, since the only objective is to get it working. Second, since we do not have screen shots and are not following a test plan, our engineering personnel move from SWAG to WAG. I am a great supported of SWAG but I cannot stand WAG. In the marketing world, SWAG is the stuff you get free during an event or promotion. However, in the scientific/analytical world (initially my field), SWAG is completely different.

Okay, please send the children from the room...SWAG stands for Scientific Wild Ass Guess. There is nothing wrong with SWAG. I SWAG all the time. It is very useful in solving problems when you do not have all the data desired or time to collect more. It is a great way to keep things moving. It is WAG that is the problem. When problem solvers begin to WAG or Wild Ass Guess, then nothing good can be expected. And that is what happens when we are attempting to perform IOT after the receipt of an order.

To address this problem, I need to get the smartest people in the room, my SIP engineers and the VARs support engineers, to understand SWAGging is a good thing WAGging is a bad thing. They might be able to fix the interoperability issue after the fact but it would be a lot better to complete IOT before the fact.

Okay, my SWAG today is that most of you are happy it's Friday AND I doubt it's because another recipe will be forthcoming on Monday!

See you then.



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