Telecommunications Matters

GETTIN BUSY

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:59:39 +0000

I started this newsletter because I decided to semi-retire and thought I would take some time to “pay back” all those who have helped me over the years by providing some free advice in these difficult times. I did not like semi-retirement plus I started getting contacted this year by those who wanted more than a free column. The upshot is that I am no longer semi-retired and I have several projects going. Keep those calls and emails coming.

I will continue to submit postings as time and motivation permit.

NACR; AVAYA & “NORTEL” VENDOR

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:45:53 +0000

Cathy Burns
Partner Relationship Advocate
NACR
It’s official. On December 18th, 2009, Avaya announced that they had completed their acquisition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions (NES) and Nortel Government Solutions (NGS). The new Avaya will focus on bringing innovation to customers that delivers high impact, intuitive experiences that are simple, personalized and transform the way the business user communicates. But what does that mean to you? If you own Nortel equipment you may have questions about support, upgrades and product enhancements. We can help. NACR is Avaya’s largest business partner with offices nationwide. Having been in the communication business for more than 15 years, we have built an experienced technical and sales team from the ground up. We can provide order fulfillment for Nortel products, maintenance and implementation support and help you get the answers you need during the transition. Go to http://www.nacr.com to learn more about what we can offer.

The next step? Tune in on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 1pm EST to hear Avaya’s Vision for the future of business communications and the sharing of the new integrated portfolio roadmap. To register go to the Avaya Nortel Information Center

MERRY CHRISTMAS

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:41:44 +0000

Jim Rigsby and Elaine BegalkeRigsby
Jesus is the reason for this holiday, lest we forget.

The best to you, your families and your companies from JRA and the Rigsby clan.

FREE INTERNET

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:30:58 +0000

Jim Rigsby
This is the week that the Feds are to start handing out the “free” money for internet access. This week $182 million of the total $7.2 billion available will be distributed. The money is to be used for the so called last mile as well as connecting public community areas to the Internet and interestingly, can also be used to teach folks how to access and use the Internet. How fun. Any bets on how long it will take Fox News to start showing how the money is being squandered?

AVAYA CLOSE TO NORTEL TAKEOVER?

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:55:26 +0000

Jim Rigsby
The governments of Canada and the USA have not exercised their right to object to the proposed Avaya buyout of certain Nortel units by 11/11/09 so the two companies could move forward with the sale. A reliable source says that the transaction could occur as early as 12/7/09.

We have read about that December 7th that went down in infamy. Unlike then, this coming anouncement could and should be a good thing for the countries involved, the telecommunications industry in general and certainly for those Nortel users that have spent big bucks on Nortel products and services. More to follow.

WIRELESS RATES DECLINE

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:23:15 +0000

Jim Rigsby
An article in the 11/16/2009 issue of Forbes Magazine by Mr. Scott Wolley titled Big Talk addresses what he calls the coming $10 wireless service. His opinion is that “no contract and unlimited calls” is the future of external wireless service. He paints a rather convincing picture but this post will not pursue that topic. Instead we were fascinated by the statistics he showed for wireless service.

The following is a listing of some of the statistics shown by Mr. Wolley’s article for the USA.

$110 billion = the amount Americans paid for land line long distance service in year 2000
2 trillion = the minutes of usage the Big 4 cellular carriers sold in year 2008
$105 billion = the revenue from the above 2 trillion minutes
$116 billion = the revenue for all cellular carriers for phone calls in year 2008
$12 billion = the revenue for all cellular carriers for text messages in year 2008

The lesson; do not enter into any long term wireless agreements without due diligence. If you have not asked for bids on your external wireless service in a year then the bid process should be a 2010 priority.

NEC RE-ORG RESPONSE

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:36:52 +0000

Larry Kollie
Consultant Development Manager
NEC Corporation of America

Editor’s note: The following is part of an email received from Mr. Kollie on 11/13/09.

NEC Corporation of America organization effective Oct 1, 2009.

Unified Solutions Group – Jeff Kane, SVP, direct sales of product to enterprises.

Communications Technology Group – Masaaki Nakajima, SVP, will be responsible for providing NEC ’s suite of business communications products and solutions to NEC’ s extensive dealer channel with dedicated development, marketing, sales and technical and training support, sales to distributors.

Carrier Solutions Group SVP Yoshichika Iida, SVP sale of Optics and Microwave to Carriers.

IT Solutions Group, Takayuki Okada, SVP (Acting), providing IT solutions as well as Consulting and Managed Services.

(NEC Consulting is primarily for its very large customers which require complex solutions. General industry consulting is not a primary focus of NEC.)

NEC AMERICA CONSOLIDATES

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:18:58 +0000

Jim Rigsby
I will not speculate as to why NEC America announced an internal consolidation on 10/1/2009. The announcement had nothing to say about reducing costs, lagging sales, or impact on the bottom line but instead stressed that it would make them more power-house-ish (my new word).

The new sole entity will be NEC of America and the President/CEO is Takayuki Okada. The four units will be:
• Unified Solutions Group, direct sales of product to enterprises
• Communications Technology Group, sales to distributors
• Carrier Solutions Group, sale of Optics and Microwave to Carriers
• And finally, that all inclusive IT Solutions Group, providing IT solutions as well as Consulting and Managed Services. Your Enterprise will no longer need you or me

The above structure looks a lot like NEC before the changes but does insure management by the Japanese. I do not know who will be heading up the four Groups. If the same as before, what has changed? I am interested on feedback as to how your NEC America dealings are impacted by the changes.

AVAYA BUYS NORTEL UNITS

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:39:44 +0000

Jim Rigsby
Posted from Raleigh, North Carolina: Avaya was accepted as the successful bidder on September 14, 2009 for the Nortel Networks Enterprise Solutions Business (read PBX and IP) and hope to close the deal by the end of 2009. This is good news for the massive installed base of Nortel and could work really well for Avaya. No word on how the new entity will be absorbed or stand alone under the Avaya banner. Avaya will be paying $900 million for the units and an additional $15 million for employee retention.

SLOOOW TIMES

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:59:01 +0000

Jim Rigsby
This has been a quiet 30 days or so in telecommunications with little news that really matters. I recently saw an article that stated telecommunications spending is down over 50% from last year and our sources agree with this assessment. This includes both IT and voice applications. This is more than a recession and means most of you are not keeping current with your expanding needs. There could not be a better time to upgrade your systems and network(s) if you can get the money. All manufacturers and vendors are particularly needy right now and are more open to price negotiation.