The Communications Management Association has closed its
commercial arm, TMA Ventures, and shifted its focus to running
smaller events, rather than its grand exhibitions of the 1990s. The
moves reflect the turbulent conditions in the telecoms industry and
the changing needs of its members.
"Some members have had as many as three different telcos in
succession," said CMA chairman Carolyn Kimber. "Such that BT is
becoming the new IBM - a safe pair of hands."
The core objective of the CMA, said Kimber, is to "act as a
catalyst for the improvement of effectiveness and efficiency
throughout the communications value chain from component supplier
to end-user".
The 1,600-strong membership comprises individuals responsible for
networks or telecoms in their organisations, and a good percentage
are IT directors and managers. There are different classes of
membership, defined by role: corporate members; small and
medium-sized businesses (less than 500 employees); and
consultants.
The CMA has special programmes targeting core areas of concern to
members - two hot topics are convergence and mobility. In the new
year, a new programme will address security.
Kimber said she aims to work with the Department of Trade &
Industry to promote broadband aggregation for the private sector.
"Aggregation is well addressed for the public sector, but the
challenge is getting broadband delivered to everyone who needs it,"
she said.
One increasingly important issue for CMA members is data rights
management, said Kimber. The implications of the EU Directive on
Digital Rights Management for user businesses will start to reveal
themselves soon, she said.
Spam is another area Kimber is tackling, providing advice on how to
stop spam getting through and how to deal with it when it does. SMS
text spamming is becoming a particularly difficult problem.
Of course, getting the best from suppliers is a key aim for user
groups."The relations with suppliers are changing," said Kimber.
"We are moving away from the confrontation days, and our aim is to
make life better for everyone."
Kimber has no plans to extend the CMA internationally.
"Organisations that expand too quickly have to retreat to core
markets, therefore it is not envisaged for the CMA to make such
mistakes," she said.
Kimber said it was very satisfying that, six months after the CMA
changed its name from the Telecommunications Managers Association
to reflect comms convergence in the industry, the government
brought together several regulatory agencies, including Oftel, into
the combined industry watchdog Ofcom.
"It makes sense not to have national agencies representing isolated
technical and media components, provided the right balance is
achieved," she said, adding that the CMA would aim to ensure that
independent user opinions get heard by Ofcom.
As with all successful user organisations, the CMA aims to identify
its members' needs and target its work accordingly. "The only way
to learn is to meet people," said Kimber. "Nothing beats networking
and regular contact with your peers."
www.thecma.comCMA group helps with IT security
The Institute for Communications Arbitration and Forensics (Icaf)
was set up as an off-shoot of the CMA in 2001 to promote best
practice in the security of information, to resolve IT-related
disputes and help solve IT-related crime. It is a Department of
Trade & Industry-recognised professional institution.
Icaf has about 500 members and provides technical advice, support
and expert witnesses. It aims to act as a focus and support for
those involved in IT dispute arbitration and resolution.
www.theicaf.com