01 / Pick the cases
Prepare a fresh opted-in lead, an existing prospect, a missed call, a reassignment and an after-hours reply. Record the expected owner and next action for each before opening the demo.
02 / Record what happened
For each case, note the actual channel, timestamp, inbox owner and CRM record. Include failures and duplicates. These observations matter more than an attractive response-rate claim that was measured on someone else’s customer base.
03 / Price the same workload
Ask every provider to quote the same people, lines, new contacts, message volume and calling needs. Separate setup, recurring charges and usage. An inbound-only plan cannot stand in for outbound capability.
04 / Decide with a written scope
Keep the provider’s confirmed limits and the pilot notes together. Start with a manageable team and assign responsibility for inbox coverage before increasing lead flow.