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Choosing the right cloud-based VoIP management provider is a critical decision that can affect a company's balance sheet and the productivity of its workforce for years to come. Further complicating the issue is the sheer number of cloud-based VoIP vendors in the market today.

In an effort to simplify this process, Webtorials and Delphi, Inc. have collaborated on a series of free documents that detail the technology, the industry and its major players.

The two organizations began the initiative by issuing a report that identifies the many benefits of cloud-based VoIP and unified communications (UC), and explains why companies should implement these services. The team recently took the project a step further by creating a list of questions that enterprises and SMBs should ask UC and VoIP management vendors when considering adopting a solution.

Webtorials and Delphi have since created a Sourcebook that classifies and categorizes a large group of worldwide UC and VoIP service providers, giving business customers the ability to differentiate the players in the market. So far, more than 40 VoIP and UC vendors have provided details on what their company provides and how they differentiate themselves from their competitors.

"So this is your chance to size up the providers on a non-biased basis to define your 'short list' quickly and efficiently," the project's organizers note on the website.

The Sourcebook includes a write-up on the value of these services, a directory of providers that responded and generalized market descriptions, according to Network World's Jim Metzler and Steve Taylor.

In addition, the resource provides information on service offerings, geographical coverage and market/provider analysis, among other data.

"Consequently, the sourcebook should provide a tremendous head-start for anyone who is considering VoIP and UC on a cloud basis," says Metzler.

Interested parties can access all of the free materials by registering here. The team also put together a list of consulting services that can help companies find more information and analysis on vendors after they put together their short list.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny