| By Tim Young, Editor-in-Chief
Cable is alive at TM Forum. While cable companies have been involved with TM Forum for some time now, the ongoing and growing commitment of TM Forum to provide relevant and timely programming for the cable set has been fully evident at Management World Orlando.
“I am thrilled with the large cable participation we have seen at Management World this week,” said Kelly Anderson . “Topics and case studies that directly affect the delivery of revenue generating services the leading edge MSOs are delivering are front and center this week. I know the impact of these meetings will be reflected in the coming months.”
Wednesday served as a sort of ersatz “cable day” at the event, kicking off with the Cable Breakfast, which featured comments from David Jacobs (formerly of JacobsRimell, now with Amdocs), Jon Anderson (VP Network Services, Time Warner), and Kelly Anderson (Head of the Cable Sector within TM Forum). The event was well-attended, and not just for the bacon and eggs, it would seem. Jon Anderson's comments supported the notion that the work that's being done within TM Forum does have relevance beyond its traditional telco base.
“Wednesday was a key day for MSOs and the vendors that help deliver those services,” said Kelly Anderson. “We discussed key initiatives that are driving the industry today. Our cable plans currently and over the next year will be presented both in the morning sessions and throughout the day in afternoon briefings. I think it is a must attend for any vendor or MSO that is looking to what is upcoming in the current multifaceted cable industry.”
The sessions, too, offered an expanded cable focus. We heard, for example, Enoch Glover of Time Warner Cable point out the advantages TWC has gained through its relationship with ConceptWave. Process automation, for example, has reduced the need for labor-intensive “swivel-chair” processes. (And in a particularly shaky economic climate, unnecessary headcount is a burden no company can easily afford).
A panel discussion followed (with which Pipeline was directly involved), featuring Steve Mannel of IBM, Brian Cappellani of Sigma Systems, Susan McNeice of Stratecast, and Alan Hoff of SeaChange, International. The panel explored the ins and outs of interactive advertising and personalization as it relates directly to cable providers. In addition, there was a briefing on current industry trends and what TM Forum is doing to address this market now and in the next year.
All of these opportunities are evidence that the market is, indeed, changing. Telcos and cable providers now have much in common (including common enemies, if you consider external over-the-top service and content providers to be enemies of the traditional CSP model). Events like this one serve as a prime opportunity for forward-looking telcos and cable providers to discuss changes in the industry and agree on a common lexicon (as semantic differences are as large an issue as any).
In short, it was a fine opportunity for CSPs of all stripes to come together with policy experts and vendors to support future growth. Anderson had this to say, in closing: “Networking opportunities, expert panels, MSO case studies, and TM Forum’s upcoming plans will all be experienced in today’s sessions and meetings. I am delighted with the interest and excitement that I have heard around the sessions and meetings on Wednesday. I think it is a good indication that TM Forum is addressing the key issues facing the cable industry. We are seeing a growing interest in the participation of so many players that are part of the total cable ecosystem.”
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