SkySwitch has announced the release of their Network Performance & Assessment Tool (NPAT).
The NPAT is a white label, web-based application that can be used by SkySwitch resellers for VoIP readiness testing, pre-qualifying client sites before installation and troubleshooting support.
One of the challenges of pre-qualification testing that resellers and MSPs face is the amount of time spent traveling to the client’s site. And once a reseller has signed on a client, travel time continues to be another roadblock to the most efficient troubleshooting support possible in cases where the provider does not control the on-premise router.
The NPAT was designed to alleviate these common pain points. Now, instead of driving out to a client’s site for pre-qualification and troubleshooting support, SkySwitch resellers can send customers and prospective clients their own branded version of the NPAT.
Once the web link is accessed, users will be prompted to download a small plugin and the tool will then be able to run on any client’s network on any Windows or Mac computer.
Customers will be able to run three different types of assessment tests—Route, Speed and VoIP—and within seconds, email those test results to the reseller. With the NPAT, customers can expect to see increased response time in comparison to traditional onsite pre-qualification and troubleshooting.
Out of the three tests, the VoIP test is one of the most anticipated functions. The test simulates VoIP calls from the client’s network and allows the user to choose the number of concurrent calls and codec to run. By performing this test, resellers can determine if a client’s internet connection can handle the phone system they are proposing—all without needing to drive onsite. It’s also the test that best serves as a real-time troubleshooting tool for quality of service issues.
The Route test runs a test from the client’s location to the selected geo-node and provides results of that selected path. The Speed test will provide results for a variety of metrics, such as download speed and upload speed. For the more unfamiliar metrics and terminology, the NPAT website provides a glossary and FAQ section so users can appreciate a total, comprehensive understanding of their results.
SkySwitch resellers will also have, to their advantage, the ability to brand the NPAT with their own company logo and domain.
Resellers can log on to their SkySwitch Reseller Dashboard and with a few clicks customize the NPAT branding to appear as their company’s own specialty tool.
The unbranded version of this tool can be accessed at npat.skyswitch.com.
