January 2002

Each and every year, the Communications Solutions™ Product of the Year Awards receives an overwhelming response. This year was certainly no exception, and the deluge of entries made an already difficult task all the more challenging. There were many familiar faces, and quite a few new ones as well. One thing we noticed across the board is that these companies all have committed themselves to quality. And despite the fact that, in all truth, 2001 was a very difficult year for the communications industry, these companies did not become discouraged. On the contrary, these companies emerged with visions... with possibilities... These innovators accepted the challenge that the economic climate put forth, and released a range of amazing solutions.

This year’s list offers a wide range of products in an even wider range of product categories. We grant that it is difficult to categorize many of these products -- and certainly many companies do not like to be pigeon-holed. Nevertheless, we find it helpful to at least try to categorize these products, all with their unique features and attributes, so that interested readers might be offered a glimpse of the product’s functionality. Then, it becomes easier for them to continue on with their research, to find the right solution for their specific needs.

Among our 2001 Product Of The Year winners you will find CRM products, unified communications products, softswitches, and industrial computers. You will find workforce management solutions, IP-PBXs, billing solutions, and testing equipment. The editors of Communications Solutions™ magazine attempted provide more than just a snapshot -- we sought to depict a landscape view of this varied industry.

What follows is a list that, in our judgment, represents the most interesting and innovative products of 2001. These companies stand out above the crowd of companies in the communications space. A hearty congratulations to the winners!

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