* Introducing the Enterprise Network Technologies User Association
Our recent column featuring a response from AT&T 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 ) 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.
