Nortel Networks to address the convergence of voice, data

The South African Nortel Networks User Group (SANNUG) recently became a full affiliate of the International Nortel Networks User Association (INNUA) and SANNUG is in the process of organising its annual user conference at Sun City (25 to 28 September).

Following the international affiliation, it has been decided to extend this conference to include delegates from SA and the Middle East/Africa region.

INNUA has some 7 000 members and SANNUG`s affiliation allows an opportunity, through such events as the upcoming conference, for users in the SA, Africa and Middle East regions to network with peers and experts as part of the international Nortel Networks community.

Neville Perry, President of SANNUG, is advising people to book early for this event, as seats are limited, "The conference at Sun City addresses the topic of data and voice as well as the convergence of these two technologies," he says.

"There will be three streams for the presentations which will be made by experts in the field, a number of whom come from overseas. The streams cover the technical details of either voice or data networks and the general area of network management. Additionally, as part of the alignment to international, we are going to host a solutions centre, where the solutions partners will demonstrate their ability to deliver solutions based on Nortel Networks` technology.

"We have managed to secure Peter Kelley, Nortel Networks` president for enterprise networks EMEA, who will provide insight into their strategic direction, and their roadmap for the enterprise solutions Nortel Networks envisage bringing to market.

"We are fortunate that, with our affiliation to the Nortel Networks international user community, we will have both the president of the international user group from the US, Marianne Collins, and the president of the EMEA chapter, Edwin Snel, in attendance - in fact, the EU group will bring their full board, as they have moved their meeting from Madrid, Spain to Sun City.

"We can accommodate some 150 delegates for the conference - with up to a maximum of 250, including day visitors - and it is important that people book now before all the places are taken.

"The new role that SANNUG has been given in the international Nortel Networks user community ensures that the upcoming conference at Sun City will be a key event for our users throughout our region."

Attendees are advised to make their arrangements as soon as possible. Contact:

Isabel Sanderson

Phone: (012) 352 4100

Mobile: 082 809 3548

Fax: (012) 322 5284

E-mail: isabel@staff.vista.ac.za

Membership of SANNUG, which includes international membership, costs R700 per year and forms are available from Isabel Sanderson.