What level of RingCentral expertise do I need for a basic business phone setup versus a complex multi-location deployment?
Basic setups with simple call forwarding and voicemail need beginner-level skills and can be done in a few days. Complex deployments with multiple locations, department-specific routing, CRM integrations, and compliance features require intermediate to advanced expertise and typically take 2-6 weeks depending on your requirements and existing infrastructure.
How can I tell if someone actually knows RingCentral well versus just having it on their resume?
Ask them to walk through designing call routing for your specific business scenario. Real experts will ask about your departments, call volumes, and existing systems before proposing solutions. They should be able to explain troubleshooting steps for common issues like poor call quality and discuss integration options with tools you already use.
Can RingCentral replace our entire phone system, or are there limitations I should know about?
RingCentral can replace most traditional phone systems completely, including features like auto-attendants, call queues, and conference calling. However, it may not support some specialized hardware like legacy fax machines or certain security systems that rely on traditional phone lines. Integration with very old CRM systems might also require additional middleware or custom development.
How well does RingCentral integrate with our existing business tools like Salesforce or Microsoft Office?
RingCentral has strong native integrations with major platforms like Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and popular help desk tools. These integrations can automatically log calls, pop customer records during incoming calls, and sync contacts. However, custom integrations with proprietary systems may require API development work and ongoing maintenance.
How long does a typical RingCentral implementation take from start to finish?
Simple setups for small teams take 1-2 weeks including number porting and user training. Medium complexity projects with department routing and CRM integration typically take 3-4 weeks. Complex enterprise deployments with multiple locations, custom integrations, and compliance requirements can take 6-12 weeks, with most of that time spent on planning, testing, and user training rather than technical setup.
What kind of ongoing support will we need after RingCentral is set up?
After initial setup, you'll need someone available for adding/removing users, adjusting call routing as your business changes, troubleshooting occasional voice quality issues, and maintaining integrations when other systems get updated. Many businesses need 2-4 hours per month for routine maintenance, plus additional support during busy periods or when making significant changes to call flows.