Steve Autor, Phil Maulding, Mike Ellis (for Charlie Eicher), Greg Osler, Ron Brennan, Maureen Gaynor, Charlie Eazor, Mark Lynn, Vito Marrone, Suzanne Sherrod

Honorees: Art Weinrach, GST Corporation, was acknowledged for his dedicated service to the Council in previous years and presented with a plaque. Janice Sigfusson, NEC Canada Western Dealer Manager, was acknowledged for our outstanding support of NEC Dealers and NECSI working together and presented with an etched glass free-standing sculpture.

Maureen Gaynor reviewed events of past year in particular the Platinum Program, formation of the Customer Satisfaction Committee and the resolution of technical issues. She highlighted significant topics of recent meetings with NEC prefaced by the power point presentation offered by NECSI in January. In particular NEC branding, marketing awareness, a National Accounts program, expanded role of NEC Dealer Managers, Sales Academy curriculum are major initiatives going into this year. NECSI has also recommended to NEC that the Advantage Invitational focus on business development. Members are asked to consider the relocation of the 2001 Annual Meeting to Dallas, as it is a central location and more Members may be able to attend.

NECSI is in good financial shape with a surplus from 1999. Renewed business partnerships has resulted in better revenues and expenses were reduced due to one less Board meeting. The surplus will allow for enhanced marketing materials and advertising. Copies of the budget may be requested via www.nec-si.com.

Ron provided more details about the new Infoset key system for small, home office. This is considered an e-business product and web links will be set up to the Dealer Locator. NEC intends wholesale distribution for Infoset.

Survey resulted in 15 action items. Teleconferences have taken place with visible initiatives by NEC toward change including InProvide.

The nec-si.com site is going on 6 years old. Consistently getting 3000 visitors/month. Interest in small key systems is high. Continue to use Members Forum to share information, ideas, and tips. Infoset information will be posted soon.

Continual progress has been made over the past 2 years. New training courses will offer "N-CSE" as a lead in to MSCE certification and is designed for technical employee retention. VOLARE continues to improve and expand. Training time for NEAX 2000 certification will be reduced. Master Tech program enrollment is tapering off. There is high interest in a NEAX 2400 Master Tech program that will be offered soon. Quarterly Master Tech refresher/update session via VOLARE will continue. "NEC Cares" will be revised from its current release. NEC and NECSI Council will work jointly on this revision.

NEC will be launching a direct mail program promotion for PS II tagged to appropriate dealer. Purpose is to stimulate sales. A new deployment device consisting of a Zone Transceiver and PS II handset will be available through the demo discount program. By using this method of deployment the ZT configuration can be reduced by as much as 40% as compared to the mathematical formula advised in NEC documentation.

New IVS2 is better priced. NEC needs AD-8 beta sites to test soft keys on IVS2. Brochures are ready. Voice over IP card ready to release. Members should contact Larry Kollie at NEC regarding consultant packages. Application articles using the NEAX 2000 IVS2 should be sent to Crosstalk News editor.

Members advised that application articles may be submitted without naming the end user. Generic terms such as wholesale, automotive, educational, for example are fine. Crosstalk needs more application solutions and test bench reviews.

None tabled.

Linda Liffers, NEC Leasing reported that their web site is online. Encouraged members to use the web site for information, tracking status of leases, rates, etc. Current lease promotions were also reviewed.

NEC is requesting dealers assist with end-user testimonials and will gift any end users participating.

Concerns were tabled regarding web selling at wholesale prices—this helps no one.

Canadian dealers certified to sell NEAX 2400 are demanding that they have full access to NEAX 2400 Master Quote. Dealers must currently request quote via NEC’s direct sales group.

Issues pertaining to the timely release of Dear Associate letters and Application Notes will be addressed via NECWorx soon to be rolled out. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.