Telecom Professional Available in No NJ

To the extent that the recent weather events in NY Metro have impacted your network or business, we are happy to assist in any way. We have access to telecom professionals, equipment, electronics and data center recovery professionals Contact us for assistance.

Disaster Recovery Plan Works

TelecomMarketplace headquarters in Bergen County, NJ were impacted by the recent ice storm event. However, we are happy to report that our disaster recovery plan worked as planned and we maintained power to critical systems, Internet Access, phone, email and video. On the home-front I learned: a) generators are worth every penny b) you can never have enough extension cords, c) gas fireplace beats wood d) Gas hot water heaters continue to work e) gas furnaces do not f) gas chain saws are also worth every penny over electric. g) your FIOS internet and TV (fiber) will come back on if you attach to generator while it seems your Cable service will not. h) lastly a generator greatly increases one's popularity.

New TelcoSource Event Builder Module

The TelcoSource team has been busy gathering feedback from clients and focus groups. Our programmers have now been able to upgrade the event builder module to be even easier to use. Answer basic questions and choose from easy to understand pull downs and you can create your "carrier grade" scope of work in less than 5 minutes. Then launch your event to up to 75 major suppliers of Telecom Services and Equipment. You can also invite your current suppliers to ensure that everyone has a chance to bid on your business. Check out the new module and let us know your thoughts.

Now Free Professional Services Support from TelcoSource

TelcoSource
TelcoSource is now offering unlimited professional services support for buyer on your first event. That means, we will help you develop your Scope of Work, build your event in TelcoSource and help manage the event. Still free for buyers, including this great support. That is how certain we are that TelcoSource will save you both time and money.

IT Expo Show in Austin

Just started walking the floor at the IT Expo show in Austin. No surprise, everyone is talking about the cloud. Nitel is one of the newest suppliers available through TelcoSource.net. I was impressed by www.doubledutch.me. Their Hyve enterprise produtivity tool looks like it could be a good fit as a Business Solution on the www.TelecomMarketplace.net carousel.

StartUp camp is at 4pm and MagicJack events tonight. More to come from the show.....

New TelecomMarketplace Web Platform is More Powerful than Ever

The latest version of www.TelecomMarketplace.net was launched yesterday. More solutions, improved business case profiles and easier navigation. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. If you have a carrier grade solution, let's discuss adding your company profile.

Finally Someone Else Who Gets It: Only Small Business Can Deliver Jobs

Brian Miller of Entrepreneurs Group finally gets quoted saying everything I have been for months. You want jobs, you need to bolster Small Business start ups and SMB growth. The SMB sector is the only proven job creator. Here is the link:

Kiva City, Bill Clinton and Visa Team Up For Entrepreneurs in America

Some of you are already familiar with my thoughts on how to spur the US Economy. See June 13, 2011 blog post. It was encouraging to see Bill Clinton and Visa take note of Kiva.Org's success in micro-lending and bringing the concept to the US in a big way. This may be another good spoke in the wheel and could help to direct the equity portion of the small business lending program I describe on June 13th. I have supported Kiva's mission abroad and am glad to support it in the US where we need it now more than ever. See full story.

ICloud: What is Steve Jobs up to?

Apple introduced its free iCloud Service recently with more oohs and ahhs going to its new OS Lion. However, the real story is iCloud. First, Apple is about to make The Cloud mainstream. With its ability to sync all your Apple devices, Apple users of any two or more devIces will soon discover that multi device syncing with the cloud is a Must Have for their digital lives. Credit Apple with once again showing how technology can be delivered seemlessly and intuitively. But is iCloud really free?

Here is why the candy man is so generous.
First, iCloud will breed loyalty, stickiness and make new Apple purchases extremely tempting. Once, we enjoy the reality of finding our data, email, music and software on any device, we are not likely to want to buy android and microsoft based products which will not work with iCloud. So we can increase Apple's upsell purchase forecast across the board. And that is all gravy as its selling more of the same products to existing users. Also, go ahead and increase the new user forecast for ARPU (avg revenue per user), the holy grail of higher multiples.

It gets better. You see, more corporate users are making personal decisions to purchase Apple products. However, they keep exasperating corporate CIOs by taking the darn things to work, and connecting them to the corporate data farm and syncing their mail, attachments and contacts. Well remember, Steve is now offering to sync that same data to his Cloud. Isn't that convenient. So, how long will it take for confidential information and personal digital preferences from most of America, including its corporate data to end up in Steve's cloud? Once its all there, how will it be protected? Or Used? Who will use it and how? Will we soon be discussing Steve's cloud like we have been Google's surfing data farm?

Of course we will hear all the promises of best security etc, but who are we protecting it from? Hackers or Steve's product marketing team. All that data is so tempting. Even stripped of its personal names, just think how well Apple could focus market to you with that data.

It is likely that by the time any regulators wake up to the possibility it'll be too late. Btw: I bet there are alot of government agencies as well who wouldn't mind gaining access to it. Subpoena or not. Some might not even mind Steve putting it conveniently all in one place.

So, in summary, something to think about. Overall, I think its a brilliant plan. Great corporate drama. I can't wait for the movie. It'll make Social Network look like a walk in the park.

Multi screen Trumps Commercial Services at NCTA

The emphasis this year is all about multi screen viewing. Content providers are clashing with cable co's regarding how and who interfaces with the end user. Comcast and HBO Go both are trying to get on your iPad from different angles. Some MSO's are tethering your mobility to your residence network (TWC) while others are letting you access on any network (Comcast). Meanwhile HBO and Showtime are trying to demonstrate that Coax is not their only path to the end user. Fun times with the lawyers starting to get busy.

Meanwhile, Commercial Services had a low profile, to my disappointment, which is contrary to what we at TelecomMarketplace are hearing from our MSO clients. Also, the number of 3D demos was way down versus last year.

The other notation is that the iPad is ruling the show. Attendees, exhibitors and speakers are all talking about the transformative tablet. Other tablets will continue to lag as all product development and interfaces are iPad focused first.

IPad is also proving disruptive to corporate security with employees bring in personal devices which then start carrying corporate data on sync up.

We spoke to NCTA about helping them start a Commercial Services track for next year and may be engaged by them to help launch it. More to come.

Steve co host of Fox and Friends and me

Paris Hilton drawing a crowd at Oxygen Booth

Live fromNCTA

Live from NCTA

Theme this year seems to be TV Anywhere, multi screen viewing and Apple response.

At The Cable Show this week in Chicago

Chicago, ill

Attending the annual NCTA Cable Show this week. All the key content, broadband and solution providers are in attendance. With a jam packed agenda, we will be representing our clients to the Cable Industry. Big meetings with Time Warner Cable, RCN, Pat Media and Brighthouse are just a sample. In each case we will be introducing their executives to our clients products and partnership solutions as an executive Business overlay to their internal teams.

How are you forging partnerships?

Surprise Surprise: No Entrepreneurs and no Jobs

The front page of USA today reported that entrepreneurial activity in America has reached a 20 year low. Yet politicians continue to be baffled with the economy's failure to create jobs. Meanwhile large business profits and productivity are soaring. While big business continues to improve margins by a) sending jobs overseas (employers > 500 employees had a loss of 1M jobs between 2001 and 07, while SMB's added 7M jobs over the same timeframe. All while the economy was decent) and b) favoring investments in capital over labor.

Meanwhile, the bailouts, government takeovers and Stimulus 1 and 2 continue their focus on supporting large businesses, who have a long history of not creating jobs for America. Here's an idea, focus some government stimulus on small and medium businesses. How about enticing entrepreneurs to invest and create jobs. No, refunding a few payroll tax dollars after 12 months is not working and never would work. For pennies the feds could use the SBA programs to entice both the employed and unemployed to exercise their entrepreneurial spirit. For example, the SBA program could be used to help entrepreneurs lower their risk profile in this unusually risky environment. If people are unwilling to buy real estate at 50 cents on the dollar, why would we anticipate they would invest in risky start ups at 100 cents on the dollar. I believe unemployment could be cut within 18 months to under 7% by instituting the following program: for every dollar that an entrepreneur invests in a start up, the sba provides .50 in non lienable loans and .50 in equity investment up to $500k in total investment. Current SBA loans require the entrepreneur to accept a lien on their house (not happening and little equity in real estate anyhow to recover). The equity portion would be payable to the government on liquidation with a liquidity preference but no appreciation. Sounds a lot like what the car makers and banks received.
In this program an entrepreneur would be heavily enticed to invest, since they could double their chances of success. The government would still recover their money from all the successful start ups while not further punishing those who lose their investment further by taking their home. Meanwhile, we would be assured that the stimulus would be heavily spent on job creation because local, small and medium businesses are labor intensive and proven job creators.

Why do I need to break from running my company to figure this out for these baffled politicians? The reality is that SMB's don't get the carrot because they don't pay the piper. They don't typically make big political contributions, hire lobbyists or have the time to woo their local politicians. They are too busy running their companies. Wake up media, politicians and pundits... No start ups No Jobs.

TelcoSource Partner Program Launched

This past Thursday we unveiled the long anticipated Partner Program for the TelcoSource platform. This program is off to a fast start and has the ability to help our partners solidify their strategic importance to their customers while bringing in some very healthy new revenues.

This Week at TelcoSource

Here are some samples of current live procurement events which TelcoSource buyers have put out to bid and are running on www.TelcoSource.net this week.

Scope Customer Type Bid Type Auction Ends

> PRI for Manufacturing Firm
> 4 Site MPLS Network for a Medium Enterprise
> Cisco Routers for a Large Cable Operator
> Cisco Switches for a Large Carrier

If you are not yet registered as a supplier, then our buyers can not invite you to these events. If you are a buyer and are not yet using TelcoSource, then you are probably losing time and money. Remember, registration is free. Suppliers only pay a small fee (via their agency program) when TelcoSource delivers revenue at a low cost of sales. There is no reason not to be registered.

Remember, we are also running a contest for an iPad2. All new buyer registrations are automatically entered. Buyers and Partners also increase their chances of winning with each successfully launched event. Contact us with any questions or to request an invitation to one of the above events, after you have registered.

Sincerely,

TelcoSource Platform Team
Marketing@TelcoSource.net
(646) 494-2001

Activity Up Across the Board at TelecomMarketplace

My apologies to the blogoshere. We have been extremely busy at TelecomMarketplace lately and my posting has been delayed. Good news on all fronts. Our TelecomMarketplace Executive Sales clientele are having continued success penetrating the Executive suites of the largest broadand providers through our introductions. Better yet, our portfolio of solutions has begun to gel and mature to the point that we are now able to have multiple partnership discussions with these Executives which stem from an initial meeting. We are constantly moving horizontally and vertically within an account to identify the decision makers and position our clients optimally. We are now better positioned than ever to add additional unique and compelling clients to our Strategic Sales program and be able to position them with speed and purpose.

This week we participated in a user conference for one of our TelcoSource partners which allowed us to speak to the key procurement executives at the nation's largest chemicals and rubber manufacturers on their behalf. Additionally, we've been in deep discussions on behalf of our partners with several major CLECs and Cable Companies in the Northeast.

Lastly, work on a new website has begun. The new site will give our clients better positioning, improve the presentation of our capabilities and drive more lead generation for all parties. We are excited that this project is now on the move.

Martino to Speak to Young Entrepreneurs at Fairleigh Dickinson University Tonight

Once again, TelecomMarketplace.net Managing Director, has been asked to address "Entrepreneurial Studies" students at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. This is Martino's 6th time addressing students in the program at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Martino's presentation will explore the challenges associated with start ups. The various financing alternatives available to entrepreneurs, including the benefits and challenges of each approach. Students will be able to interact and even provide Mr. Martino with feedback on his firm's most recent product release, TelcoSource

Mr. Martino will be followed by a presentation from active Private Equity Executive, Thomas D’Ovidio of Shoreview Industries. Together the two executives will be able to communicate to students both the entrepreneur's and the investor's perspective. Mr. Martino has either led or been a senior executive in firms which have raised over $2 Billion dollars in public and private funding.

Kit Digital Acquisition Watch

Kit Digital finally landed the capstone acquisition long rumored. The Ioco acquisition signals the completion of an active acquisition spree which leaves Kit as a clear leader in the management of video content over all 3 screens. The company now says it will be focusing on rapid integration of the properties and organic growth. As I've noted before, with the rampant growth in video content as the predominant portion of bandwidth traffic, Kit seems well positioned to capitalize.

Why is this important to our clients in the Carrier and MSO space?

For carriers, the purchase of bandwidth is increasingly being driven by video content carriage. That means that the enterprise clients of major carriers are in need of software, platforms and tools to manage their video inventory. Kit provides the tools which help organize, manage and distribute video content. Therefore, partnership opportunities abound. TelecomMarketplace can help carriers with the planning and strategy development to take advantage of these developments and ensure that they are bringing optimal value to their clients.

For MSO's, eyeballs are migrating to other screens. More and more entertainment is coming from over the top internet delivered sources, rather than the traditional cable subscription. MSO's need to attach their brands, services and relationships to their clients as the eyeballs migrate. As an incumbent who has the key video relationship today with end users, MSO's are in a position to introduce services and packages which allow users to access the content which they already purchase from the typical TV package. This will allow them to participate and evolve with the market rather than become a victim of its success. Time is of the essence for MSO's to be leaders in this inevitable transformation. Handled properly, the shift can be accretive and allow MSO's to dominate a larger market of services. Ignored, it can seriously erode cable subscriptions in a manner similar to the loss of wireline subscriptions for ILECs brought about by higher quality mobile services. Think Verizon Wireless\Verizon ILEC history when assessing the best strategy for MSO's to deal with a multi-screen public.

Public Private Partnerships for the Next Generation of Leaders

Initiatives like this one from Time Warner Cable are excellent examples of public private partnerships which help students while preparing our future leaders for the workforce. In this program, TWC takes every kids most prized possession, the mobile phone, and demonstrates the science, math and engineering behind making it work. Both educators and business share the same goal of developing a skilled workforce which will allow US companies the ability to dominate in the digital age.

Penetrating the Executive Suite for Sales Success

Do you know who the 4 most important potential clients are for your business? Have you thought about which accounts spell significant success for your business? If not, maybe its time to identify them and determine your strategy for bringing them on board. Most companies have a short list of key clients or partners who will have an exponentially important impact on their business. Yet many have not taken the crucial step of a) identifying them and b) formulating a strategy for landing\growing them as clients.

One of the key verticals at TelecomMarketplace.net is our Strategic Account Penetration program. The program focuses exactly on the task identified above. We help you identify those prospects who have the potential to exponentially improve your business. We then lay out a strategy designed to penetrate those accounts at the most senior levels. We assist you in designing and honing your value proposition to ensure that you have the best change of converting the penetration meeting into a partnership or sales opportunity. Then we work with your direct sales team in the overall pursuit, signing and growth of the account.

It is important for companies to realize the impact that these strategic prospects have on their overall business fortunes and then invest appropriately. Investment means garnering the right resources and incentives to ensure that you are being properly represented at these accounts. Our program works with and alongside your existing sales resources, bringing years of experience and the deepest and most impressive network of executive contacts in the telecom and technology industry to bear. Best of all, the TelecomMarketplace.net Strategic Account Penetration program can be implemented for less than the cost of one Full Time sales executive. The program investment will yield tangible results in a short period of time, as you begin to gain meetings and activity with the top decision makers at these key accounts. We are confident in our abilities, so all of our customers for this program enjoy the flexibility of a 30 day cancel at any time clause. To date, none of them have chosen to exercise it.

A current customer recently stated "This is exactly the type of activity we need in our sales program. We love how you usher us into the executive suite at all of our most important prospects, where hugs replace handshakes in the first meeting. The TelecomMarketplace program has both helped us improve our value proposition and allowed us to gain real strategic contracts with the types of customers who enable us to grow revenues, establish credibility in the industry and ultimately increase value to our shareholders."

To learn more about how we can work with your firm, click the link and contact us at Sales@TelecomMarketplace.net

Comptel show update

I've been in Vegas since Sunday. Today is the 2nd full day of the show. We have had many meetings for both our clients and Telcosource platform. Big interest in the Integra Networks Optical products. Buy side engineers love the quick delivery intervals which Integra can support. Several new clients will emerge from the meetings we at TelecomMarketplace set up for them with new prospects. Our sales penetration program continues to grow as more companies here about our effectiveness.

TelcoSource vendors are expanding. We welcome 5 new suppliers based on meetings here at Comptel so far. Buyer side demos have also been strong. The carrier segmemt has been amazed by the platforms capabilities. Both buyers and sellers have reacted very favorably to the business model. They appreciate the fact that they can participate for free. Who does that? We do, I suppose. Check out the demo now at www.TelcoSource.net

More on my return.

Comptel Show in Vegas Mar 20-22: Let's Meet

Will you be at Comptel in Vegas? I've been going to this show 2x per year for most of the past 15 years. For a period I served as Co-Chairman of the CEO Council for the organization. I find it always a good place to meet up with existing customers, old friends, colleagues and the newest prospective clients. The move to the Venetian in Vegas was a good move, as the Gaylord chain was getting stale. I love the Venetian, a full suite hotel, which presents the Italian theme in a chique and contemporary manner.

We are excited with the set of solutions we are bringing to the show this year. First, we are registering purchasing managers and suppliers for the newly launched TelcoSource platform which is off to a great start. 65 registered suppliers and average event savings of nearly 50%. Both well above plan.

Second, we will continue to educate the broadband community in regards to the emerging opportunities in the $13 Billion dollar, Premium Technical Support space. This will be the first show following PlumChoice's acquisition of Everon, which expanded the Company's capability in the SMB and Commercial sector. The PlumChoice partnership model now becomes immediately relevant to the Comptel Community of business centric CLECS, and Carriers. The Value Prop is simple: no carrier investment, increased revenues, high margins, improved CSAT and reduced opex......what's not to like.

Additionally, we will continue to help carriers save on CapEx by utilizing third party optics from our client Integra Networks. By using 3rd party optics inside typical OEM optical gear, carriers can a)save up to 65% b) reduce delivery times by weeks. Fiber Optics are no longer rocket science. Third party optics have proven to be reliable and cost effective. So why continue to be beholded to the OEM box provider. Integra helps carriers level the playing field with Cisco, Motorola, Fujitsu, Huawei and Lucent.

We hope to see you at the show. Contacts us at Sales@TelecomMarketplace.net to arrange a meeting.

New TelcoSource Feature Excites Suppliers

The latest version of the free Saas procurement platform for Telecoms and IT services has an attractive feature for the growing supplier base. Now registered suppliers in the system are identified by products served and geographic area. When a buyer is designing their free RFQ or Auction they first set up invitations for their current vendors, then TelcoSource looks at their Scope of Requirements and suggests additional vendors who may be able to satisfy the requirements. Buyers can then add those vendors to the RFP process. This feature allows buyers to expand the competitive universe for thier RFP. It also allows the supplier base to gain new serious leads from the system. TelcoSource then send the RFP invite to both the current vendors and "Selected Vendors" for a vibrant bidding solution. Suppliers who have invested heavily in their brand are positioned to do particularly well with the new feature. A recent buyer said "I know several of these companies by name and would be happy to buy from them, I just don't have a contact at that company. TelcoSource has enabled me to add these quality vendors to my event. That is an excellent feature."
Again, registration and use of the TelcoSource platform is free to both buyers and vendors. Suppliers only pay a commission when the platform generates real revenue for them. Since suppliers often get invitations from the new feature, its a pure win as we know with certainty that the vendor would not have even been invited or known about the opportunity if not for the TelcoSource "Selected Vendor" feature. We invite you to try it today.

Are 3rd Party Optics a good way to Save Cap Ex?

We've been representing Integra Networks for years and we love this play. Carriers are all too often inclined to buy their optical electronics, also called pluggables or SFP's from OEM's, such as Cisco, Alcatel, Juniper etc. However, both the legal and technical landscape have involved in such a way to allow network providers the ability to disaggregate the procurment of the OEM box from the Optics which are often added as the system grows. Since this is a mature technology, 3rd party optics have proven to retain high quality while being significantly less expensive.

We did a recent analyis for a medium sized CLEC and determined that they could reduce Capex by $12 million annually by switching to 3rd party optics from folks like Integra Networks. That's big money. Integra also has increased CSat (another of our focus areas) by developing a operational process which allows them to frequently retain inventory of optics, locally in the US and then program the pluggables upon order. This has allowed them to sometimes ship optics overnight versus OEM timeframes of up to 6 weeks.

Here is another example:

One of the nation's largest cable operator has been able to dramatically reduce the cost of optical components by buying their optical boxes and plug-able transceivers from separate vendors. Their overall optical box cost is reduced by over 30% with improved customer service and no quality degradation. A major Cable Operator saved over $200k on one purchase order we reviewed. Another major carrier received 75 transceivers by hand delivery overnight to save a job after OEM components failed to arrive on time.

Please contact us if you'd like to learn more about this opportunity to save as well as turn up your revenues faster.

Missed PlumChoice\Parks Interview: Catch it now w Special Link

Parks recently interviewed our client Mike Cooch, GM SMB Vertical regarding the opportunities for broadband providers to increase revenues and enhance CSat by partnering to provide Premium Technical Support. If you missed the Feb 12 webinar, its not too late. You can use the special enclosed link to log in with your name and catch the recorded webinar. Contacts us at TelecomMarketplace to discuss how this program can be incorporated.

Thank You Facebook: Message from Egypt

I've been watching the amazing pictures out of Eqypt today as people raise their voices, risk their lives in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. At one point, the demonstrators were being quoted as chanting "Thank You Facebook". This made me pause. I think we all appreciate and understand to some extent the significant impact which the internet, social media and all the related developments have on the business community and maybe on the way we as Americans socialize and interact. However, this is an example of the far reaching impact of broadband, internet etc on the world in which we live. It is not just a business, marketing, communication, an IPO etc. its really about empowerment. The internet empowers people. It levels playing fields. It enables the few to speak like the many. The weak to speak like the powerful. Would the Egyptian revolution have taken place without Facebook? In a world where the margin of victory is quite small, maybe the answer is yes. Will we look back years from now and realize that while we thought we knew, we really had no appreciation for how this technology changed the world. A good friend of mine, David Walsh, told me a story about how during college his Professor assigned him a project to go out and find the next great disruptive development which would change the world. David was a bit overwhelmed so his professor gave him access to a new service they had at the college which was designed to help educators and professors collaborate. They called it the Internet. (Al Gore was still as Senator). David spent months searching and analyzing new developments using his password to "the Internet" In the end, he wrote his paper and only later in life did he realize that the answer to the Professors project: "What technology or product with change the world the most?" was in face the very tool he was spending all his time using to seek the answer.

Kit gets into Social Media and Multi Screen Play

So I find myself blogging on Kit Digital (KITD)again. Not my initial intention but they've gone again and made another set of strategic acquisitions in the video and social media space. There seems to be a solid consolidating effect around Kit. Innovative companies seem eager to be acquired, take stock and remain part of the management team. All good signs. With many enterprise customers trying to figure out their social media, web presence, Utube for the enterprise and video strategy; it looks like Kit continues to put together the pieces of the puzzle to benefit from the growth of video on the Internet. The part I like alot is that Kit continues to be profitable and these 3 acquiusitions are accretive. How long before Kit gets taken out? Who will in be? New school players like Google, Yahoo, Facebook etc. Or will we see an old school Cable Operator try to advance their multi screen strategy and defend their TV based video business.

Parks Associates Interviews PlumChoice

Excellent free Webinar this Thursday. Premium Tech Support space is exploding with almost every MSO and Carrier offering or designing a product. Many are using PlumChoice under a white label partnership. You can learn all about how PTS plays with the Enterprise Community from Mike Cooch during this webinar.

Parks Associates

TMC Interviews James Martino regarding TelcoSource.net Launch

Click to Watch Interview with James Martino

What is UTube for the Enterprise?

Fascinating panel at IT Expo regarding YouTube for the Enterprise. Clearly was news to me that major corporations were setting up in house video content management systems which set policy and allowed employees to create and post video content for other employees to view. Seems many employees were posting sensitive info on public http://www.youtube.com/ and corporations felt they needed to harness the movement and provide employees a way to share information within the corporate cocoon. Microsoft, ATT and Accordent Technologies were represented on the panel. Each spoke about a vibrant internal (akin to video intranet) system which they created to encourage and allow for internal communication by video. Applications ranged from training videos to product development announcements to taping meetings to CEO communications.

My immediate reaction and concern was in regards to how publicly traded corporations like Microsoft and ATT were monitoring the risk of sensitive information becoming public via these systems. Either via a cyber breach of the system or via employee dissemination outside the corporate community. It seems to me that stock traders, hedge funds, etc would love to gain access to a YouTube for the  Enterprise system for the stocks they cover. How many little tid-bits of information could they gain? I was a bit amazed that this trend had gotten so much traction in major firms without a major breach being publicized. I asked the panelists and the responses ranged from "We have strict corporate policies" to "Our employees were already posting to public YouTube and we needed to do this to get control of it" How hard is it to manage the unapproved dissemination to YouTube of corporate information I wondered? Seems you make it a fire able offense to do it and then you enforce it. Most corporate execs know when they can or can not speak to the press, so why is it so hard to determine that it is inappropriate to post videos regarding corporate business to the public Internet without approval from legal and corporate communications? Enterprise UTube systems seem to me to be opening Pandora's box. I'm amazed that huge bureaucratic, publicly traded and risk averse companies such as ATT and Microsoft seem so comfortable with the new format. I predict we'll here stories in the future about how information was leaked, systems compromised etc. I think that the Enterprise UTube systems may be confusing to the average employee. If you are doing a video that 5000 other employees can view: are you speaking publicly or privately? The following vendors are selling systems or services which allow companies to set up private YouTube:  Google, Microsoft, Accordent and Veodia.
Seems like something to watch and rolls back into our previous post on the rise of video content on the Internet. This seems to be one movement which will generate lots of corporate content. I'm sure the SEC and Class Action attorneys are thrilled to hear that their will be lots of other discoverable data which they can subpoena.

Kit Digital (KITD) to benefit from Surge in Video on Internet

The IT Expo show had a special track on Video content. One of the presenters, Jim Byrne, SVP of Sales Engineering was from Kit Digital, a rapidly growing company which provides software and hosting of enterprise video content. The interesting part is that their software is designed to label, tag, keyword and organize millions of pieces of video content in a way that then allows the user to easily search, sort and find the video they are seeking. According to Cisco's IP Traffic forecast (link above) , by 2013 Video will make up 90 percent of consumer IP traffic (which makes up the majority of total IP traffic)  Cisco also sees mobile data traffic being overtaken by video, with 64 percent of total mobile content becoming video by 2013 according to Cisco report.

So with all this video content being created and posted, who will benefit. Well I'm thinking KIT will continue to grow exponentially.  With all this content being created and streamed, enterprise will need to organize it all. KIT has been acquiring its way to market leadership in this area and seems poised to be a big winner. (for disclosure, I've been folllowing KIT for a while and have a long position in the stock. What I saw at IT Expo only reinforced my original forecasts.  Ticker KITD on Nasdaq)

IT Expo East 2011 Jeep Giveaway Winner was from Columbia

For those brave who stuck it out in sunny south beach till the end, they got to see Jorge from Latam country Columbia win a new Jeep. For those of you who left early, the good news is that his was the first card pulled. Great marketing idea. 8 companies sponsored the giveaway and attendees needed to get a stamp from each booth before depositing their card in the bin. So for about 3-4k per booth exhibitor more, they garnered about 4-5x the traffic compared to a similar competitor from me estimates. If you have paid 10-20k for a booth then the added investment is probably worth the added return. It also kept the show floor active on a friday afternoon.

Friday ITExpo

Heading to the show today to meet Contractual, Sidera and Hypercube. We have picked up many supply side members for TelcoSource at the show. We came in with a robust 55 and will leave on the mid 60s. Need to figure out if our buyers would want to procure conferencing, cloud services and unified communications via TelcoSource. Will put it in the future development group for discussion. Meanwhile registrations continue to pour in as a result of all the press we received this week. It is great to deliver a product which everyone sees as a win win. Buyers love getting a free e- procurement platform and our Alternative Channel leaders on the supply side love the solid RFPs delivered and reduced agency commissions. They can now give better pricing since the www.TelcoSource.net channel costs up to 70% less. Result happy buyers and sellers.

TelcoSource e-procurement platform for Telecoms launched at IT Expo

iT Expo East Summary Review

I made it out just before the snow/ice storm hit Monday. Arrived to 80 degree weather in sunny south beach for the Shows. We launched our TelcoSource.net e-procurement platform on Tuesday with a press release and a full day of interviews with the press. Lots of energy at the show and the snow storm doesn't seem to have dampened attendance too much. I have already had quite a few compelling meetings and plan to post blogs on some of the more interesting developments soon. See press release at www.telecommarketplace.net/news.

Heading to IT Expo East and Telecom One on One in Miami

With more snow on the horizon in the Northeast, I'm happy to be heading down to South Beach to participate in the Jaymie Scotto & Associates Telecom One on One event and the IT Expo East Show. This will be my first visit to IT Expo. I'm very interested to see the presentations and meet the attendees. This show seems to marry Telecom with IT, which seems to be more and more common. We will be making a major product\platform announcment at the show. Stay tuned for the press release on PR Newswire, which will go out tomorrow at noon eastern time. To learn more about our firm please go to http://www.telecommarketplace.net/ and view our new platform at http://www.telcosource.net/