Most VoIP POCs prove nothing. The provider sets up a demo environment with 3 phones on a clean network, makes 5 test calls, and declares success. That tells you nothing about how the system performs with 50 users on a real network during peak hours.
Here is how to run a POC that actually predicts whether the deployment will succeed.
The 2-Week POC Framework
Week 1: Real Users, Real Calls
Deploy the system on temporary numbers for 10 users from different departments. They use it for ALL their calls — not just test calls.
| Day | What to Track |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | Call quality scores (built-in analytics) |
| Mon-Fri | Mobile app notification success rate |
| Mon-Fri | Transfer success/failure |
| Mon-Fri | CRM auto-logging accuracy |
| Fri | User satisfaction survey (1-5) |
Minimum sample: 200 calls over 5 days. Anything less is statistically meaningless.
Week 2: Stress Testing
| Test | How | Pass Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Peak load | All 10 users on calls simultaneously + run speed test | MOS stays above 4.0 |
| WiFi stress | 5 users on WiFi softphones simultaneously | No quality degradation |
| Failover | Disconnect primary internet | Calls route to mobile in < 30 seconds |
| After hours | Call main number at 9 PM | Routes correctly per after-hours config |
| CRM integration | Make 50 calls, check CRM logs | 100% of calls auto-logged |
The POC Scorecard
| Metric | Weight | Score (1-5) |
|---|---|---|
| Call quality (avg MOS) | 30% | 4.0+ = 5, 3.5-4.0 = 3, below 3.5 = 1 |
| Mobile app reliability | 20% | 95%+ notifications = 5, 90-95% = 3, below 90% = 1 |
| CRM integration accuracy | 15% | 100% logged = 5, 95-99% = 3, below 95% = 1 |
| User satisfaction | 20% | 4.0+ = 5, 3.0-4.0 = 3, below 3.0 = 1 |
| Admin portal usability | 15% | Office manager can do 4/4 tasks = 5, 3/4 = 3, below 3 = 1 |
Score above 4.0: Deploy with confidence.
Score 3.0-4.0: Address weak areas before full deployment.
Score below 3.0: Choose a different provider.
DialPhone offers a 30-day POC at zero cost. No credit card. No sales pressure. 10 users with full features — run this exact framework and let the data decide.
