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March 3, 2003
The MSF tagline is a clear (if somewhat lengthy) statement of what MSF was formed to do, that is, to accelerate the global development of multiservice switching. Today, the tagline "We Deliver" could represent the MSF equally well. How so? First off, the publication of the GMI 2002 White Paper. This important summary of the first-ever global interoperability event captures not only the scope of the event but provides context, analysis and perhaps most importantly, what we learned for the next GMI event in 2004. It's a must-read for MSF members and anyone in the industry who has an interest in interoperability. Look for an announcement soon when the paper has been released.
As you all know, the primary objective of the MSF is to accelerate the commercial availability of next generation revenue generating solutions. In this light, we consistently ask ourselves the question "What value are we adding to our member companies this year?" For 2003, you will be pleased to know the answer is bountiful! Building on the success of GMI 2002, the MSF Technical Committee launched into 2003 with a clear road map for GMI 2004 focused on the needs of both our members and the industry at large. Key to GMI2004 will be the development of the core VoIP infrastructure established in GMI2002 to include IP Services, QoS, Security, and Network Management. With our successful meeting in Orlando, Florida this January, we are already developing a series of Technical Reports around these industry hot topics. As 2003 progresses, we have a range of associated deliverables identified that include physical architecture recommendations, protocol profiles, implementation agreements, and interoperability test plans. It is pleasing to see that MSF membership renewals have increased over this time last year. With representation of both the global service provider community and forward looking suppliers, we will continue to have the critical mass to accelerate the commercial availability of end-to-end solutions that will enable new services and optimize network costs. As has always been the case, we meet our business objectives through active involvement from many of the world's top service providers. These service providers will continue to provide the critical input that ensures the MSF is able to prioritize work to focus on meaningful real-world problems. The Marketing Program for 2003 is largely focused on educating the industry on the results of GMI 2002, building the MSF brand and ensuring our presence is felt within the industry. A key early deliverable will be the presentation of a comprehensive white paper on the GMI2002 event at key industry conferences and tradeshows. The MSF leadership has always worked to ensure a complete focus on solving real problems, rather than competing with standards organizations and other fora addressing the same issues. Over the past year, input from MSF members has indicated a growing interest in industry forum consolidation. In response to this, the MSF Board of Directors has identified potential synergies with other industry organizations, which have been actively explored to maximize the benefits to our members. The MSF recently incorporated part of the Voice over Broadband (VOB) Forum work into its 2003 road map. In addition, the MSF board has had some preliminary discussions with the leaders of the International Softswitch Consortium (ISC). However, after several weeks, of discussion, the ISC were unwilling to progress a proposal to meet with the MSF TC leadership to enter into detailed discussion around the work plans of the two organisations. Given this state of affairs, the MSF Board of Directors does not consider it possible to proceed further at this time. The MSF will continue to work with a variety of trade organizations and standards bodies to promote the development of interoperable multiservice switching technologies. The MSF currently maintains liaison relationships with the ITU, IETF, the ATM Forum, the TeleManagement Forum and the ISC. On April 8 - 10, the MSF will hold its Technical Committee and Annual Meetings in Cheshire, UK. Just 15 minutes from Manchester International Airport, the Mottram Hall meeting site is a unique country mansion set in its own parkland on the edge of the English Peak District. It is an ideal setting in which to continue our work to deliver the 2003 Road Map. As well as work, we are also planning the members' entertainment evening, which will include a session of English Folk dancing which, hopefully, will follow on from the high standards set by our recent meetings in Korea and Japan. Finally, the Cheshire Meeting will see the introduction of recently elected new MSF Leaders. If you have ever wanted to take on such a responsibility, now is the time to send in your nomination for the Board of Directors, Technical Committee Chair or Vice Chair, or Marketing Committee Chair positions. Filling a leadership position is a great way to become more integrated in shaping MSF goals, and ensuring that the organization is moving toward successfully meeting objectives. I look forward to meeting with as many of you as possible in Cheshire, UK in what is just 6 weeks time, so do ensure you register in good time! Best regards Roger Ward, President Back to In This Issue
Technical Reports Hitting the presses soon are four new technical reports generated by the MSF covering the areas of Quality of Service, VoIP Architecture, Management and the Application Environment. The first document has been released and covers Quality of Service; this paper outlines the issues and problems faced by all who try to implement a new architecture. These papers will aid in contributing to the 2003/2004 work plan by identifying key areas of focus that the TC will recommend as steps forward. Working Towards GMI2004 As we get closer to our second meeting of 2003, there has been a direct focus on establishing the base for moving forward with the proposed GMI2004 event following up on the success witnessed with the GMI2002 event. The requirements and total scope of the event will be defined over the next few months with the initial release of the Customer Requirements Document (CRD) followed by the TC response on the program details. We will be looking for key people to step up and volunteer to help in defining the event and ensure that all of your expectations and ours are met. Look for more news and updates in Cheshire during the April meeting. TC Introduces a New Document The Technical Committee has approved the implementation of a new document type that will aid in further defining the requirements for specific elements as they exist within the MSF Architecture. The MSF Product Specification (MPS) will be introduced to the membership during the Cheshire meeting supported by the required changes to the TC Operating Procedure. Here we go again…TC Elections It's that time again folks, the annual elections will take place in Cheshire for any open positions for the TC Work Groups. In addition to this, the MSF will be holding the general elections for open Board positions, MAE Chair along with the TC Chair and Vice Chair slots during the later stages of March, look for the information over your email and please vote. Rich Seager, Technical Committee Chair Back to In This Issue
Membership Update Thanks to all of the members who have already renewed their commitment to the MSF for 2003:
If your company hasn't yet renewed, it's not too late. March 17, 2003 is the cut-off date for 2003 MSF Membership. Please contact Cindy Morgan (cmorgan@msforum.org or +1-510-608-5925) for more information about membership renewals. Be sure to sign up in time to attend the Technical Committee Meeting in Cheshire next month. Membership Recruitment Do you know someone who might be interested in the MSF? Send them an application! The MSF is actively recruiting new members for 2003. If you know someone who might be interested, there is a wealth of membership information on our web site at http://www.msforum.org/about/become.shtml. Back to In This Issue
The GMI 2002 White Paper is currently posted on the MSF website at http://msforum.org/interoperability/GMI.shtml. This must-read document provides comprehensive analysis and lessons learned from the 10-day event. GMI participants are encouraged to post the GMI 2002 logo on the company's websites that link to the white paper. Back to In This Issue
Register now for the Multiservice Switching Forum's second quarter Technical Committee meeting, Tuesday - Thursday, April 8-10, 2003, at Mottram Hall in Prestbury, Cheshire, United Kingdom. To register for the meeting, please complete the on-line registration process outlined on the MSF web site under Meetings and Events at http://www.msforum.org/events/upcoming.shtml. The registration fee is $325 if you register before Tuesday, March 25, 2003 and $450 after that date. Hotel accommodations with Mottram Hall must be made by Friday, March 21, 2003. Please call +44.01625.828135 to make your reservations. You must mention "Multiservice Switching Forum" in order to secure the discounted room rate of £100 GBP (approx. $162 USD) per night. Please note the following important deadlines below for this meeting:
Please note: Hard copies of the contributions will NOT be available for this meeting. Please be sure to download any contributions you will need before the meeting starts. MSF Annual Meeting The MSF 2003 Annual Meeting will be held from 3:00 - 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, in the St. Andrew's Suite at Mottram Hall. Take this opportunity to meet the newly-elected Board of Directors, get an overview of the 2003 operating plan, and hear the State of the Forum address. Back to In This Issue
The following leadership elections will take place in March and April: Five seats (5) on MSF Board of Directors Technical Committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Marketing Awareness and Education Committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Protocol and Control Working Group Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Interoperability Working Group Chairperson Candidates for Board and Committee Chair positions must submit their nominations on or before Monday, March 17, 2003. Candidates for Working Group positions will see a formal call for nominations sent vial email on March 5, 2003, and must submit their nominations on or before April 2, 2003. MSF Board of Director candidates must be employed by a MSF Principal Member. All open positions are two year terms. To nominate complete nomination form and submit to Cindy Morgan (cmorgan@msforum.org). Director responsibilities include participation on bi-monthly teleconference meetings, participation in leading project related activities for the Forum and commitment to the success of the MSF. Committee Chair candidates must be employed by a MSF Principal Member. Each position is a one year term. To nominate: submit a summary of qualifications (not more than one page) to Cindy Morgan (cmorgan@msforum.org). Committee chair responsibilities include managing forum committee, participating in BOD meetings, and committee leadership meetings, and ensuring road map and forum goals are being achieved. Committee Vice Chair candidates must be active MSF Members. Each position is a one year term. To nominate: submit a summary of qualifications (not more than one page) to Cindy Morgan (cmorgan@msforum.org). Committee vice chair responsibilities include serving with the committee chair as needed, conducting meetings in the absence of the committee chair, and taking minutes. Working Group Chair and Vice Chair candidates must be active MSF Members. Each position is a two-year term. To nominate: submit a summary of qualifications (not more than one page) to Cindy Morgan (cmorgan@msforum.org). Working Group chair responsibilities include managing working groups, creating meeting agendas, participating in leadership meetings, and ensuring road map deliverables are being achieved. Ballots for directors and committee chair/vice chair will be sent via email to all Primary Voting Reps on Wednesday, March 19, 2003, and results will be announced on April 3, 2003. Ballots for the working group leadership positions will be distributed during the TC meeting in Cheshire, UK. Back to In This Issue
MSF @ Spring VON - April 2003, San Jose CA Board Member Mark Carroll from Cisco will present the GMI 2002 White Paper at Spring VON on April 3 at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Spring VON is a known as a focused industry conference - attendees are potential suppliers, customers or partners. For full details about the conference and exhibit, please go to the Calendar page on the MSF website http://msforum.org/events/calendar.shtml. SUPERCOMM - June 2003, Atlanta Georgia MSF will once again participate as an Associate Sponsor at SUPERCOMM 2003. Tens of thousands of communications leaders from around the world will attend the show because they know it is the time- and cost-efficient way to gain insight and information on critical issues that will impact them for years to come. SUPERCOMM is where industry insiders, technology visionaries, educators and exhibitors come together to leverage global trends, shape the future and share their success. Please drop by the MSF booth #10522 in Hall C1. For a list of all the events MSF will attend this year, please go to the Meetings and Events page on the MSF website at http://msforum.org/events/index.shtml. Back to In This Issue
Feedback? Want to include something in the next issue? We want to hear from you! Send your comments and contributions for the next issue to jfitzpatrick@msforum.org. | |
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