• Determine the type of WAN services needed by your business
  • dedicated line - recall for steady high volume batch
  • packet switched - recall for online query activity
  • research and/or contracting with WAN consultant

• Set up a meeting with several WAN providers
  • meeting agenda
    • what are the services they are offering for your specific business needs
    • what are the configurations of that service in terms of hardware, software, and personnel
      • what does the vendor install and configure, what do we install and configure
      • what does the vendor support and maintain, what do we support and maintain
    • what is the service level agreement(s) for support
    • how is responsibility for problems determined knowing that several local carriers may also be involved
    • what type of trial period for testing of the service is offered
    • what is the cost
• Choose a WAN provider
  • consider financial stability of WAN provider
  • analyze 'track record' of WAN provider by talking to other businesses
  • ensure business and technical requirements (some are listed in agenda above) are met
• Implement WAN solution
  • implementation will either be turnkey or co-effort between your business and vendor