5 Things That Make a Solutions Installation Go Smoothly (And How ACDI Helps Make That Happen)

Some solutions installations feel effortless: the conversations flow, the timeless hold, and every question is answered quickly. Decisions don’t require a whiteboard diagram worthy of a modern art gallery. Go-live feels as exciting as it is predictable.

Yep, everything is exactly as it should be.

Other installations? Well, they have more personality, even if the software is straightforward. Usually, the issues stem from incomplete groundwork. That’s when small missteps translate to unnecessary detours.

Avoiding these situations depends heavily on the partner you choose. 

After thousands of installations (and many more to go), our Professional Services team knows how to make installations feel like the former scenario, whether it’s PaperCut, Scanshare, or any solution.

What’s our secret?

At ACDI, we rely on a healthy mix of thoughtful collaboration, professionalism, and shared commitment with stakeholders.

There are five patterns that frequently appear in our installations when we combine these elements.

1. Strong Qualification Creates Confidence from the Start

The smoothest installations usually start before the first cup of coffee. ACDI’s pre-sales team partners closely with stakeholders to ensure that the early qualification stage covers the user’s goals, environment, constraints, and future growth.

Demos, proof-of-concepts, and accurate product quoting make life easier for everyone. We encourage dealers to leverage these resources. These resources ensure installations have a much clearer scope and way fewer “wait, what do you mean the network changed?” moments.

Asking the right questions from the beginning helps assign ownership and define success criteria. This gives our Professional Services team the ability to execute flawlessly on our stakeholders’ behalf.

2. Future Needs are Crucial to Conversation (Not an Afterthought)

A smooth installation isn’t just about immediate requirements. Think of it like packing for a week-long trip: you don’t just grab today’s socks and hope for the best tomorrow. 

ACDI works with print and solutions dealers and clients to anticipate future changes in environments, including business growth, new workflows, additional locations, and emerging operational needs. These considerations keep systems flexible and avoid costly scope creep. No need to buy scratchy socks at the souvenir shop.

Our pre-sales team model growth scenarios, validate workflows, and recommend solutions that scale with the customer’s evolving needs. Forward-thinking keeps comfy socks on our feet and operations stable in strategic, multi-site environments.

3. Environmental Scanning Maintains Momentum and Sanity

Exploring and understanding the network environment before the first configuration is a must. In other words, we check the map before our road trip. 

ACDI partners with dealers and clients to confirm stringent prerequisites are met. That way install sessions focus on solutions delivery as opposed to untangling surprises. 

The pre-installation, or kick-off call, is a crucial step that cannot be rushed. This takes place immediately after the purchase order is received. 

Think of it as the baton pass between pre-sales (who handles demos, POCs, and workflow validation) to post-sales. Updates are captured, responsibilities are crystal clear, and everyone knows exactly how the installation will proceed.

4. Clear Ownership and Communication Builds Trust at Scale

Complex implementations require clarity of ownership to avoid costly misallocation of resources. 

ACDI meets with resellers and clients to define decision ownership, stakeholder validation, and communication flows. ACDI’s Project Coordination Team leads this effort with the responsibility of keeping timelines straight, check-ins organized, and milestones crystal clear. Think of them as your tour guides. 

Regular check-ins, documented next steps, and open communication keep everyone aligned. Shared accountability prevents small obstacles from devolving into confusing situations. 

5. Go-Live is a Predictable Destination – Not a Rescue Mission

In successful installations, our project teams arrive at go-live confidently. 

ACDI aligns dealers and clients to plan the go-live carefully: pre-validation, user readiness checks, and final configuration reviews are all considered thoughtfully. Treating go-live as a predictable landmark instead of a last-minute scramble ensures systems are ready from day one.

This formulaic approach reduces risk, keeps operations predictable, and ensure the system meets current and future needs. 

We’re proud to say that our resellers benefit from a clear, organized process that is implemented seamlessly, turning the big day into a celebratory moment.

However, the adventure doesn’t end when the install wraps. Every project flows seamlessly into ACDI’s Helpdesk support where the same expert guidance and shared commitment await stakeholders.

Smooth Installations are Mapped, Not Rushed

At ACDI, our installations are the result of our project coordinators working early, planning thoughtfully, and a commitment of delivering the best experience every time. Every engagement with our stakeholders is seen as an opportunity to learn, improve, and even laugh along the way.

Here’s a Brief Overview of What we Learned

  1. Strong Qualification Creates Confidence from the Start
  2. Future Needs are Crucial to Conversation (Not an Afterthought)
  3. Environmental Scanning Maintains Momentum and Sanity
  4. Clear Ownership and Communication Build Trust at Scale
  5. Go-Live is a Predictable Destination – Not a Rescue Mission

ACDI installs aren’t just projects – they’re collaborative victories, confetti optional but highly recommended. 

Ready to install your next victory? Let’s do it together.

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