...for anyone involved in the telecommunications business, be the service providers, technology developers or the end customers. As Mr. Shepard says in the foreword, Telecommunications is the most dynamic, fast changing industry in history...
I had the chance of attending a session by Mr. Shepard on Telecommunications Convergence last year and, after I heard his presentation, I finally had a better understanding of the what, where and, most important, why the customers want to buy the services that our telecommunications technology make possible. Everything was so much clearer!
Now, his research and thoughts are published and anyone that has an interest in the telecom industry can go through the three sections of the books and get a nice primer on technology convergence (including a most useful Common Industry Acronyms list in the Appendix); Company convergence, providing a great insight on Corporate Evolution, e-Commerce and e-Business (now thet we hear those terms everyday!) and Mr. Shepard's company classifications/models.
All the topics covered in the book are presented in an easy to understand, often good-humored fashion, but it calls to the attention of the reader the importance and seriousness of Services Convergence: what are the customers looking for, and what will it take for the service provider to deliver the competitive advantage that will make the difference in the market. Because, quoting Mr. Shepard again, "the quickest way to become a leader is to find a parade and get in front of it".
Great reading material, strategies for success, useful convergence online resources are listed in the appendix. And I repeat, this book should be mandatory reading for the Service Providers that are fighting to be the leaders in this fast paced market.
