Publisher's Outlook
January 2002

Rich Tehrani An Important Message From The Publisher

BY RICH TEHRANI


It is an understatement to say that the recent economic downturn has been especially unkind to the communications technology industry -- and especially the marketing services and media-based companies that serve this industry. As a result, as many of you are undoubtedly aware, many magazines titles have either been consolidated or have ceased publication.

TMC has also been challenged by this tough marketplace. The broad-spectrum coverage of Communications Solutions magazine, on an array of dynamic and innovative communications technologies and products, was responsible for its rapid growth and success during the boom. But, ironically, this positioning also made the magazine especially vulnerable to the downturn.

As a result of this, we have made the bold decision to incorporate the content of Communications Solutions into our sister publication, Customer Inter@ction Solutions, creating a dominant publication focused on enterprise and contact center communications solutions. The newly integrated publication will continue under the Customer Inter@ction Solutions brand, and will include a section featuring key elements of Communications Solutions coverage of enterprise communications technologies, including PC- and IP-PBXs, industrial computing platforms, CTI, and our ever-popular, insightful product reviews. Customer Inter@ction Solutions will incorporate 20,000 of Communications Solutions most influential subscribers in terms of purchasing power, who meet Customer Inter@ction Solutions already highly targeted demographic requirements, creating a publication of 70,000 highly qualified subscribers.

For those readers who are looking for another source of quality information about IP-based communications technology, products and services, TMC's industry-leading Internet Telephony magazine continues to provide in-depth coverage of such topics as soft switches, VPNs, broadband, and of course, VoIP. If you have an interest in IP telephony and next-gen networks and haven't yet subscribed to Internet Telephony, check out the most recent issue at www.tmcnet.com/it/, where you can also sign up.

The Communications Solutions Brand Lives On!
Even with the cessation of publication of a standalone print magazine, Im happy to report that the spirit -- and content -- of Communications Solutions will still live on in the new section in Customer Inter@ction Solutions, and in fresh, insightful content that will still be available on the Web and in our highly popular e-newsletters. If you havent already subscribed to the Communications Solutions e-newsletters, please visit www.tmcnet.com/enews/. And remember, as always, your subscription is free!

In addition, a still very relevant marketplace for new enterprise communications solutions will come together at the next Communications Solutions Expo, set to arrive in Boston, May 13-15, 2002. We have worked hard to update and revamp the Communications Solutions Expo conference proceedings to ensure that this event is the most relevant to your current enterprise communications needs, especially in these times of belt-tightening and fiscal prudence. For more information about the new curriculum and special show features, please visit www.tmcnet.com/comsolexpo/.

It is with mixed feelings that I thus sign off from my last Communications Solutions Publishers Outlook column. On the one hand, it is sad to say good-bye to the labor of love that was Communications Solutions magazine. On the other hand, however, I am still very optimistic about the prospects for the innovative technologies that have been our focus for so long, and still are through our various other editorial outlets. I want to thank you, all of our loyal readers, for your incredible support over the years, and your many letters, phone calls and e-mails that helped keep us sharp and on target.

Rather than say good-bye, Ill just say, See you soon, at the next Communications Solutions Expo!

All my best,
Rich Tehrani
TMC President and Group Publisher

For additional information visit our Web site at www.comsolmag.com. For more information on Customer Inter@ction Solutions or Communications Solutions EXPO, please visit www.tmcnet.com. Contact the associate group publisher, Marc Robins, with comments or questions about Communications Solutions. E-mail (addressed to mrobins@tmcnet.com) is always welcome.

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