We are more excited than ever to bring our first ever COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS EXPO (formerly CTI EXPO) to our nation's capital for the second year in a row. This event is the first under our new name and we can't wait to host it again!

As the communications market as a whole begins to embrace Internet telephony, our new name -- COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS EXPO -- is a natural progression for an event that captures all facets of communications, from the service provider, to the developer, reseller, and corporate end user.

As you may know, what separates TMC events from others is the quantity of live educational events that you will find on our trade show floor, free for all to participate in. We realize there are many trade show choices, and we make it easy for attendees to choose TMC events as the first place to go when looking for solutions in the communications marketplace.

ConvergeNET
One event that I think is most exciting is our third ConvergeNET, a multi-vendor interoperable IP telephony network right on the show floor. Having successfully demonstrated IP telephony interoperability through ConvergeNET at our last two events, we are very excited to add new companies to the interoperability mix. In fact this ConvergeNET will be the largest IP telephony interoperability demo at any event ever, hosting more than 20 participants. Before you make any purchase decisions in this market, make sure the companies you work with are interoperating with other industry players. In fact, be sure to look for the ConvergeNET seal of interoperability before making a short-list of vendors.

Internet Phone Center
One of the areas of the show floor that received a great deal of attention at our last show in Las Vegas in the Fall of '99 was the Internet Phone Center, a special area of the show floor equipped with multimedia PCs and the latest Internet telephony gear from Quicknet. Visitors to the Center will be able to use the Center to make Internet phone calls anywhere in the world, utilizing the networks of a variety of ITSPs (Internet Telephony Service Providers). The Center will provide attendees with the unparalleled ability to compare the quality and service of each ITSP - while enjoying FREE global calling.

Learning Centers
Perhaps the single event that embodies TMC events consistently since our very first CTI EXPO is our Learning Center(s), objective areas on the show floor demonstrating leading-edge technologies. There will be six such centers at this event with the most pertinent being:

ASPs: Consider the benefits of normalizing your monthly expenditures, utilizing network resources on an as-needed basis, and being free to concentrate on the networking chores that more concern you. ASPs, otherwise known as Application Service Providers, can accomplish all this (and more) for you. ASPs are a hot, new class of service provider that lets you "netsource" data and communications solutions. Find out more about this booming market at this brand-new Learning Center.

E-sales/E-service: Techniques for selling products over the Internet are becoming more and more sophisticated as Web integration technology advances. This technology also helps to improve service over the Net. Now, live agents can help during a customer's entire purchasing process, whether it is by chat, via a Web call-through button to a company's call center, or by many other methods. Check out how advancements in e-sales and e-service have revolutionized how buying decisions are made.

IP Telephony Testing Tools: With the perpetual explosion of the Internet and the continuing standardization of the IP protocol, new breeds of testing tools have arrived. Now, you can test how well a VoIP call performs, whether you're evaluating latency, PSQM scores, or other important voice tests. There are even Fax-over-IP testing tools available. Leading companies such as Hammer Technologies, Ameritec, Zarak, and Hewlett-Packard will test many aspects of IP telephony functionality. In this Learning Center, there will be enough diversity for users of any level to get a feel for this latest testing technology.

Next-Gen Wireless: IP is already becoming the universal wireless networking standard, and it also won't be long until Palm-based products merge with cell phones. In addition to telephony, IP wireless devices are becoming more and more sophisticated. Soon, they will allow you access to e-mail, the Net, GPS, a database of contacts, and myriad other features. Come see how far wireless technology will take us in its next generation of products.

TAPI 3.0: Advanced products, such as voice/data switches and PC-PBXs, use TAPI so that a PC can control most telephony and voice-mail functionality. You can dial, transfer, and conference calls from your PC. You can even play your voice mail from your computer. And all of this is just the beginning of what will soon be at your disposal. With the release of this latest version of TAPI (3.0), even more advanced communications solutions via the telephone, the computer, or even PDA devices may become as mainstream and easy to use as call waiting.

Of course, there are so many other reasons to come to COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS EXPO (April 26-28 in Washington DC). For example, we are giving away dozens of valuable prizes such as Handsprings, digital cameras, and of course, a Jeep (courtesy of Cincom). I hope to see you at COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS EXPO. Please register online immediately and save yourself the $50 onsite entrance fee.