Multicarrier-focused user group emerges

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: STEVE TAYLOR AND JIM METZLER ON WIDE
AREA NETWORKING
10/20/05
Today's focus: Multicarrier-focused user group emerges

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Introducing the Enterprise Network Technologies User
Association
* Links related to Wide Area Networking
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Multicarrier-focused user group emerges

By Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler

Our recent column featuring a response from AT&T
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan8768> concerning the demise of
user groups drew some interesting reactions from readers. One
was from an interesting user group that is morphing itself to
providing a multivendor focus.

It seems that the Very Large Companies (VLC) of the world are
well cared for since they are the primary targets of every
services provider. A representative of the Enterprise Network
Technologies User Association ( ENTUA <http://www.entua.org/> )
wrote in to introduce the group. Jay R. Shell, vice president of
committees, explained that the carrier user group was
established through the merger of two AT&T User Groups: the SDN
user group (long-distance users) and the Inbound Services
Management group (toll-free users).

He explained that ENTUA recently modified the user group's
charter and bylaws to become an "'any' carrier user group."
Shell wrote: "Our membership, which is comprised of global,
Fortune 500-type users of network services told us that they
were no longer putting all of their communication eggs in one
basket." He further pointed out that the "one basket" was
specifically to reduce reliance on AT&T.

He continued, "With an unrestricted charter we are now able to
have our committees work across the board of the
telecommunications landscape. For example, where our Government
Issues and Policy committee used to focus solely on regulatory
matters important to AT&T services, we are now free to focus on
regulatory matters important to the companies (any companies)
whose services our membership uses."

Shell added: "In times of market consolidation - AT&T/SBC and
Verizon/MCI mergers, and the expanded capabilities of CLECs like
Broadwing there exists today more than ever a genuine need for
users to come together in the form of a user group. In fact,
ENTUA is laying the ground work for the formation of a committee
whose focus will be the AT&T/SBC merger. Enterprise customers of
AT&T who also conduct a great deal of business in the SBC
territories will have many integration issues with which to be
concerned. Where else can one leverage, share, educate, and
broaden technical experience than when working with others who
share a common challenge?"

We applaud the formation of this group, and we wish it the best.
In fact, it seems as if this group is quite similar in focus to
the initial mission of the International Communications
Association (ICA), an organization that's sorely missed today.

So it seems as if the groundwork is being laid for the Fortune
500 to be heard. But this leaves us wondering about the users
whom a friend used to refer to - perhaps politically incorrectly
- as the "Unfortunate 500,000." Are the voices of small and
midsize businesses being heard? Do they need to be heard, or is
competition sufficient that we don't need organizations that
care for the needs of SMBs explicitly? Let us hear your
thoughts on this, and we'll share the feedback.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Cisco finally brings security push to LAN
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan9069>
2. Skype: Hazardous to network health?
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan7846>
3. WiMAX just around the corner
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan9255>
4. McAfee, Omniquad top anti-spyware test
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan6977>
5. Sourcefire discloses buffer-overflow vulnerability in Snort
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwan9256>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates
and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed
information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter,
connect to Webtorials <http://www.webtorials.com/>, the premier
site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and
market research. Taylor can be reached at
<mailto:taylor@webtorials.com>

Jim Metzler is the Vice President of Ashton, Metzler &
Associates, a consulting organization that focuses on leveraging
technology for business success. Jim assists vendors to refine
product strategies, service providers to deploy technologies and
services, and enterprises evolve their network infrastructure.
He can be reached at <mailto:jim@ashtonmetzler.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Avocent
Network World Executive Guide: Reviewing Trends and Insights for
SMB Executives

Life is different for IT professionals at small and mid-sized
businesses, which don't have the luxury of hiring legions of
network experts. Read how network executives are keeping a firm
footing on an ever-shifting product landscape. Learn about
trends and insights surrounding VoIP and VPNs; plus get
commentaries from leading experts on storage strategies for
smaller businesses.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=117602
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<http://www.networkworld.com/supp/2005/ndc5/>
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