TUA AWARDS NEW PUBLISHING CONTRACT

The Telecommunications Users’ Association (TUA) announced today that it has awarded the publishing rights for the Association’s Official Reference Book to Profile Pursuit Limited.

The TUA Official Reference Book is a respected publication aimed at keeping users of telecommunications and IT informed of new developments in the market. The focus is on business solutions rather than the detailed technology; “how can my business benefit from new technology”, rather than “how does it work”. The issues covered range from global regulatory and competition affairs through explanations of new technologies in networking and case studies of user experiences. The target readership includes influencers and decision makers in the purchase of new systems and services, with informative articles and reference material for the large corporate and the SME business.

The book has been published now for 12 years and traditionally it has been distributed annually. Under the new contract it will be distributed bi-annually, recognising the fast pace of change in the telecommunications and IT markets. It will be distributed to 20,000 readers, all influencers and decision makers in the purchasing of new systems and services, including free issue to TUA members.

Bill Mieran, Chairman of TUA in announcing the new contract award, said, “Competition from publishers to produce the book was very strong. We chose Profile Pursuit because of their record of quality publications for major business groups and their appreciation of the changing needs of the Telecommunications and IT user”. He added, “after 8 years with our previous publisher we felt it was time for change and a fresh approach. We believe Profile Pursuit will bring innovation to the content and presentation of the book, making it even more attractive to our readership and advertisers alike”.

Fameed Khalique, Global Business Development Director at Profile Pursuit, said, “We are delighted to be working closely with the TUA, especially as they are about to celebrate their 35th anniversary. We see this as an exciting opportunity to not only publish the Official Reference Book, but also to enhance the profile of the Association and the important benefits it offers to businesses through its membership. The new Official Reference Book, which will be launched in March 2000, will be an indispensable tool to organisations and individuals requiring guidance and information when making purchasing decisions”.

About Profile Pursuit

Profile Pursuit Limited was formed in 1993 to offer a range of innovative publishing and brand communication solutions to blue-chip corporations. Success in this field has positioned Profile Pursuit at the forefront of this sector and so has enabled existing strengths to be built on by broadening substantially their portfolio of services.

These include: Publishing Partnership Marketing/Loyalty Programs Events Management Sponsorship/Co-branding Programs Design Product Placement and Procurement Conference Sponsorship and Sales Today, Profile Pursuit is a leading brand communications company, with rapidly expanding international operations in the USA. Profile Pursuit Limited work closely with a number of respected international organisations including: Arthur Andersen, Citibank, the Confederation of British Industry and the Department of Trade and Industry, the BBC, Whitbread plc/David Lloyd Leisure, the Royal Ascot Authority, the Sterling Group, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the European Film Awards and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts amongst others.

Their expertise covers a broad range of disciplines from banking to retail, from the consultancy sector to sports and leisure, from show business to the grey market. As a result they have established an unrivalled portfolio of consumer and business titles with proven effectiveness as marketing tools for sponsors, advertisers and audiences alike. As a full service company and key to success, all aspects of production including editorial commissioning, sales, layout, design and artwork are handled on an in-house basis Contacts: Fameed Khalique or Adrian McGrogan on 020 7267 5000 (0171 267 5000)

Ref:TUA99081 31/08/99

WILL THE OFTEL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REPORT BE SUPERSEDED BY INDUSTRY MERGERS?

Originally intended for publication in May. A report which focuses on complaints Oftel has received about telecoms companies and services was part of the then newly appointed Director General of Telecommunications’, David Edmonds, pledge of greater consumer power.

Concern has been expressed by the Telecommunication Users’ Association (TUA) to David Edmonds that the report has yet to see the light of day. Whilst Oftel have confirmed that the date of publication has slipped, no new publication date has been set and indicators now point towards the end of the summer period. Speculation had suggested that the data collected was of a sensitive nature and Oftel have now confirmed to TUA that the findings of the report are seen as very sensitive within the telecoms industry and therefore a degree of re-formatting has been deemed necessary by Oftel. TUA trust that any re-formatting of the data will not mask any issues and thus devalue the usefulness for users in their decision making processes.

With the latest press speculation that Cable & Wireless Communications is in merger talks with NTL and that influence is being brought to bear on Telewest in joining in a three-way merger, it is possible the already outdated report and any sensitive issues will have been subsumed by industry mergers. Whilst TUA recognise that Oftel has a heavy workload to contend with, issues of consultation papers should not override important quality of service statistics which have a value to end users in their decision process.

The publication of the Top Ten complaints followed the Oftel consultation document Proposals for Publishing Information on complaints Received by Oftel published at the end of last year. Publication of the final report was expected during May this year.

‘RIDING THE TIGER’
- are operators and suppliers ready for e-commerce?

Research carried out by the independent Telecommunications Users’ Association (TUA) has raised serious questions about whether Telcos and other Telecom & IT suppliers really understand the implications of introducing e-commerce to their customers.

TUA Research Director Vic Davies summarizing the Associations research into e-commerce said that “The introduction of e-commerce converges customer service on speed, efficiency, and individual confidential customer value. Wasteful ‘packaging’ in websites or e-commerce links will just not be tolerated. Once you move customers onto e-commerce then you have to be prepared to ‘ride the tiger’, because it may just not turn out to be what you had expected. If suppliers think that it is just about improving their cash flow, then they are in for a nasty shock. Worst still if Telcos or suppliers get servicing wrong, it will inhibit the main body of business from really grasping the full potential of this new way of trading, whilst the leading edge users will become more circumspect about which suppliers they use.” Davies further added “This will be given an added twist by the indigenous nature of e-communication. It will literally ‘not pay’ to have a poor reputation in Net commerce.”

Davies feels e-commerce presents a new type of problem for Telcos and suppliers, because as he says “Once in a virtual world, customers will quickly learn that they can move around this new environment quickly to find better quality services at lower prices, irrespective of where the service is physically located. Your competition could be on your own door step or thousands of miles away. Competition will know no barrier, e-commerce will be the ultimate definer of how well, or how badly, you deliver your brand.”

The TUA research provides an independent in-depth study of what business customers of different types think of e-commerce, and importantly what they want from it. The main findings of the research will be presented at a two day conference on electronic billing and payment at the Dorchester Hotel, London on July 5th and 6th, organized by ACCESS. The e-commerce report forms part of a series of inter linking reports that the TUA are publishing from July until the end of the year.

For interviews with TUA Research Director Vic Davies contact 01494 766144.

Ref:TUA99071 01/07/99

JOBSINTELECOMS LAUNCHES INTERNET SERVICE DEDICATED TO TELECOMS RECRUITMENT

Jobsintelecoms.com today launches an Internet recruitment service dedicated to the telecoms industry. Offering a global snapshot of a large number of jobs available in the telecoms industry, the site can be found at www.jobsintelecoms.com and is set to become the definitive answer to the recruitment needs of both employers and jobseekers in the telecoms industry. Jobsintelecoms builds on the success of its sister company Personnelnet Health, which has captured the Internet recruitment advertising for the health sector in less than 12 months.

Recent industry research indicates that employers can save around 150 man hours and £13k over ten vacancies by conducting their searches for employees online, commented Director of Jobsintelecoms, Simon Maisey. He added: The telecoms industry is ideally suited to the internet as a medium for recruitment. The industry is extremely buoyant, with average salaries commanding £45-55k and requirements for telecoms specialists world-wide in constant demand. The immediacy of this service enables in-depth targeting to reach the right candidates, and a fast and efficient medium to sourcing the right candidates.

The depth of job classifications ensures you only get applicants qualified for the job, commented Peter Segal of recruitment advertising company Ogilvie. The service has potential to be extremely successful and we will be using it extensively.

Added Bill Mieran, Chairman of the Telecommunications Users' Association: Jobsintelecoms has been devised so that employers can post an unlimited number of jobs throughout the year for one single annual licence fee. For job-seekers, the service is free, providing job descriptions, facilities to contact employers direct, and up-to-date industry, careers and CV tips. I am confident the site will expand rapidly to become an essential website service for all telecoms employers seeking skilled employees, and professionals online for their next move.

For interviews and more information, please contact: Lucy Butler/Julie Coleman icas public relations Tel: 0171 632 2400

Ref:TUA99041 20/04/99

TUA LAUNCH THE ONLINE SUPPLIERS GUIDE ~ AN ONLINE INTERACTIVE MARKETPLACE FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND IT NETWORKING INDUSTRY

The Telecommunications Users’ Association announced today that its new online service “TUA ONLINE SUPPLIERS GUIDE” will go live on 1st February 1999.

This online service is believed to be unique in that it provides a comprehensive listing of suppliers in the telecommunications and IT networking marketplace along with the services and products each can offer to the user. By using a sophisticated search engine and by dividing up suppliers into meaningful niches, users can find the suppliers they require without hassle

In the Trading Zone users’ can search for specific items of hardware and software they require. They can also list equipment that they wish to sell. Suppliers can list new or second user equipment for sale. Sophisticated PC software allows suppliers to quickly update price lists online.

In the New Product Showcase suppliers can launch their latest products to the UK Telecoms and IT Networking user community.

Hot links to suppliers’ web sites enable direct access to them by the user and email contact is readily available.

The TUA Online Suppliers Guide is also linked to the TUA Y2K site and visitors to the site can run a check against the TUA Y2K compliance register or make an enquiry of a products status if it is not on the register.

“There are a number of paper supplier directories in the market, but these are often out of date or not comprehensive of the market”, said BILL MIERAN Chairman of TUA. He added, “ this new online member service will meet a real need for the Telecoms and IT Networking user companies and provide a valuable showcase for suppliers to display their products and services”.

The service is operated on behalf of TUA by IT Marketplace. Keith Parker, Director of ITM, on announcing the launch date, said “with business to business trade slated to rise from $9bn in 1997 to $182bn in 2001, it is vital that suppliers use the latest technology to reach their market quickly and efficiently”, he added “ if your company is involved in the purchase or sale of telecoms or IT Networking products and services the TUA online site is the effective way to do business”.

Ref:TUA99011 26/01/99