OVERVIEW

Acceptance of goods and services is the second and last opportunity to sign here (press hard). The first was, of course, when the item or items were ordered. Now its time to see if what was ordered has been delivered. As a milestone in a project, it formally signifies transfer of ownership or right to use the item being accepted. Acceptance can also trigger other internal accounting and operational processes. Acceptance can also initiate warranty coverage, the end of an installation process, and the beginning of maintenance procedures. The acceptance process can be organized, simple, straightforward, and relatively risk-free, or if not approached properly, result in chaos, confusion, and lead to a disaster on some level in the future. Acceptance of equipment and services is but one step in an overall project. The project might be simple or it might be complex. Obviously installation of a telephone or local area network (LAN) access is far simpler than installation of a telephone system or LAN facility. Both examples require acceptance of one or more types of telephone instruments and wall jacks. But a telephone that plugs into a LAN is not the same as a telephone that plugs into a private branch exchange, even though they may both use an RJ45 connector and enable the equivalent and acceptable service.

More than one acceptance process will likely be required depending on the size of the endeavor, project, or organization. Accepting a shipment of 50 boxes containing 10 telephones each without removing...