Applications spell success for telecomm programs.

The Southern California Chapter of the TCA (Tele-Communications Association) has been contracting various agencies within the Soviet Union and the USA to set up a professional exchange of telecomm professionals between these two countries.

A trip is tentatively planned for August 16 to 30 of this year.

On-site visitations with the Soviet telecomm professionals will include Moscow, Leningrad, Minsk, and Kiev. The trip is designated to comply with the IRS Tax Code, Section 162, for deduction as a business expense to maintain or improve one's professional and/or business skills.

The delegation will be limited to a maximum of 40 participants, according to Luis Cuza of TCA. Luis is the vice president of education for the Southern Chapter and a telecomm planner for the City of Los Angeles Department of Airports. If you are interested in this trip, contact him at 213-646-2067.

CICA moves ahead

Al Knable, former telecomm manager at Swift, Esmark, and Beatrice as well as past president of CICA (Chicago Industrial Communications Association) was the featured speaker at a recent monthly meeting of CICA. Al is Director of Internal Telecomm Operations Support for MCI. He is another excellent example of the continued successful opportunities which are available in our profession.

CICA continues to fund and provide support to various worthwhile causes in the greater Chicago area.

According to Bob Hagglund, CICA's executive secretary, the print disabled of Chicago (those unable to read) continue to have access to the immediate world of information through the services of CRIS (Chicagoland Radio Information Services) which the CICA helps support.

Other associations might take note of CICA's efforts in this regard, not only in helping others but using available telecomm technology such as SCA receivers which enable the blind, physically handicapped, and others to gain access to newspapers and magazines. For further info, contact Bob Hagglund at 312-271-7088.

The officers and directors who are leading and guiding CICA through 1991 are: President, Ruth Soskin-Nesher, Chicago Board of Trade; Secretary, John Gacek, Bear Stearns & Company; Treasurer, Mike Moisan; Director of Membership, Donna Turcany; Director of Publicity, Robert Ersery, American Medical Association; Directors, Lois Wander, Northwestern Technologies Group; Charles Garrison, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Robert Hagglund.

Applications: 1991 theme

As far as I'm concerned, applications are the touchstone to success whether it be the telecomm manager operating within his organization finding telecomm applications which will enhance both the profit opportunities and the competitive posture of the organization; or the association through its educational programs, conference seminars, and exhibits.

For example, the ICA (International Communications Association) 44th annual Conference and Exposition will place emphasis on FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) networking applications. The Conference runs in Anaheim, June 3 to 6.

ACUTA (Association of College and University Telecomm Administrators) continues to place emphasis on applications at their annual conference and regional seminars.

ACUTA attendees learned of the latest applications of voice and data technology to higher education at ACUTA's regional seminar in Fort Lauderdale.

Dino Pezzutti, director of telecomm at Ohio State University, Columbus, reviewed OSU's three year old telephone registration procedures used by most of the 54,000 students to register for class each term. They can call from the comfort of the residence halls, or from home.

Dino pointed out how this application alone is a time saver--not only for the students but for the University in that it helps eliminate or reduce the need for seasonal staff and for overtime pay.

Both ACUTA's President, Bill Orrick; and Executive Director, Del Combs, stressed the need for continued education and training of the memberships and partnering with the supplier/vendor community in this vital area of applications.

Around the circuit

The ATUG (Australian Telecomm Users Group), one of the members of INTUG's 22 world-wide associations, will hold its 1991 annual conference and trade expo at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, April 30 to May 2. For further information and registration, contact ATUG's Executive Director W.E. Rothwell, Level 11, 80 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, Sydney, NSW 2061, Australia. Phone number is [phone].

The National Rolm User's Group annual Spring Conference will be held in Ft. Lauderdale at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Hotel April 9 to 12.

Seminars will be directed toward ACD management and challenges faced by call center telecomm managers. Disaster recovery applications also will be on the agenda. Contact Marian Marion at 716-781-6541 for last-minute registration information.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting is a great example of making our technology more effective. The educational programs within our Associations should reflect this new application and teach, train, and encourage their memberships on the continued use of telecommuting.

Many telecomm managers, as well as their staffs, have set up terminals and are working at times out of their homes or Info-Nodes, to coin a phrase.

Authors Paul and Sarah Edwards, in their book "Working From Home," offer some timely and appropriate tips for those of us who are practitioners of this technology:

*Don't try to make the most intimate room in your home--your bedroom--also your office.

*Don't use a kitchen, dining room, or bridge chair for your desk chair--you'll be spending time and money with the chiropractor or physical therapist.

*Don't work morning, noon, AND night. Establish time for yourself and family.

*Don't allow paperwork and office equipment to take over your home. Use space-saving storage systems.

*Don't let housework or hobbies distract you from getting your work done. Instead, schedule time for housework and hobbies.

*Don't fill your cabinets and refrigerator with junk food if you want to keep your waistline at a size that will allow you to wear again the clothes you used to wear to the office.

*If clients or customers come to your home, don't have personal items, such as family photos and grandchildren's toys, in the office or hallways leading to the office. Create a business-like and professional air to your work space.

*Don't give in when a neighbor, friend, or relative tries to occupy your precious working time. Instead, tell them when you will be free to spend time with them.

*Don't expect to work effectively with grandchildren underfoot. It's very difficult to be both a babysitter and an at-home open-collar worker. In fact, don't let children play in your office if you don't want them to use your office as a playroom when you're not there.