Expert Presents: Post-Merger Strategies for Solutions Providers

John Macario

SBC Communications Inc. and AT&T.

Verizon Communications Inc. and MCI Inc. Sprint and Nextel Communications Inc. These megamergers and others in the communications industry have put the spotlight on consolidation. Solutions providers can find out what it means to their businesses at the Fall 2005 Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Sept. 20-22, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. In his address, Building for the Future, from 11-11:50 a.m., Sept. 21, John Macario, president and founder of industry consulting firm Savatar, will look beyond the headlines to share likely outcomes of the megamergers, their impact on the channel and how solutions providers can build their businesses to weather the changing future.

In his presentation, Macario will address such pertinent questions as:

• What will the communications landscape look like?
• How will merging companies likely change their channel strategies?
• How will the channel be affected?
• What can solutions providers do to hedge their bets?

Macario advises firms on developing and deploying relationship marketing strategies to optimize product development, sales channels and customer-facing business systems and processes. He brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and technology consulting to clients, which include AT&T, Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Development Co. LP, IBM, Sprint and Verizon.

Prior to founding Savatar, he held senior positions with Bronner, Slosberg, Humphrey (now Digitas Inc.), a Bostonbased direct marketing company. He worked extensively with its interactive subsidiary, the Strategic Interactive Group on numerous projects in the telecommunications industry. He also has worked as a technical architect and brand manager for companies including Philips Electronics and Coastal International. He has consulted the governments of Canada, Ireland and Scotland on a broad range of technical and marketing issues.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Science degree in physics from Dartmouth College.

Bridge the VoIP CPE-Network Interoperability Gap

One problem with premise-based and even hosted VoIP is interoperability or lack thereof with VoIP networks. Even devices and networks based on the SIP protocol dont always speak to each other. This, naturally, is slowing deployments and frustrating end users and partners. What is being done about it and what are the workarounds?

Find out at at the Fall 2005 Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Sept. 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Presenters Chris Gatch, CTO of Cbeyond Communications Inc., and Tracy Venters, vice president of solutions engineering for tekVizion PVS Inc., will explain the problem and how solutions providers can be part of the answer.

Cbeyond, a VoIP service provider, is spearheading an effort called SIPconnect Interface Specification that sets out a series of implementation rules to make disparate IP PBXs work with service provider SIP networks. Joining Cbeyond in the effort are Avaya Inc., BroadSoft Inc., Centrepoint Technologies Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and Mitel Networks Corp.

Systems integrator tekVizion is taking matters into its own hands. This spring, it established the first independent test lab to offer third-party interoperability testing, and certification of products and services for VoIP communications. tekVizion Labs offers several types of testing services involving both remote and on-site testing for vendors and service providers.

Dont miss this Concurrent Session on Bridging the VoIP CPE-Network Interoperability Gap, from 4:30-5:20 p.m., Sept. 20 one of a dozen tactical sessions presented at this businessbuilding conference program, for solutions providers by solutions providers.