NECSI

(Formerly known as the NEC Dealers Association, Associates Advisory Council, the North American Dealers Association)

"An organization of NEC Customer Premises Equipment Associates"

EARLY BACKGROUND

At NATA, in November of 1990, Steve Autor contacted several NEC Dealers at the NATA convention concerning the idea of forming a dealer association. Since a list of dealers was not available, Steve went through the Yellow Pages at the local public library to get a list of names and addresses of NEC Dealers. A mailing was put out and the list was refined. Several dealers sent in $100 to help us get started.
In May of 1991, Sheldon Allen and Herb Reading set up a meeting with Dr. Millard, new senior VP, to discuss several major issues. (Problems with Direct, need for dealer input etc.). A meeting was held at Tele-Pro the night before to compare notes. At this meeting Dr. Millard agreed to the need for a Dealer Council and agreed to provide a list of dealers. Eighteen dealers attended.
In June of 1991, three regional meetings were held with dealers and NEC staff to air our mutual concerns. Most dealers attended one meeting. Discussions centered about problems with Direct and the problems with NEC selling parts directly to non-dealers and customers via an 800 number in Dallas.
July, 1991 - Three members of the Dealer Council met in Melville to discuss needed improvements on the Mark II. A list of needs for the Mark II was presented by Sheldon Allen based on a recent survey of the dealers. This list was used for the development of the Electra Professional instead. One of the main requests was for black phones. Peter Harris had a Dterm II spray painted over lunch and showed it to us. Six months later - we got them! NEC staff from Tokyo showed us a balsa wood mockup of a new phone (E-Pro). Steve Autor requested built in headset adapters as the JS-180 was too expensive to provide and repair.
September, 1991 Dealers surveyed concerning need to extend Mark II promotion. Dealers responded with 50 faxes received at Melville and promotion was extended.
In November of 1991, about 40 dealers met at NATA and held a formal meeting adopting by-laws, electing officers. Steve Autor was elected President and served for the first three years. Meetings were held with NEC staff to discuss future goals. Per NEC's request, the name was changed from the NEC Dealers' Association to the Associates Advisory Council and adopted.
December, 1991 - Worked with Active Voice to get dealers a 10% discount on Repartee products.
February, 1992 - Charcoal Gray Dterms are available now.
May, 1992 - Worked with Complimentary Solutions to obtain free Call Accounting software for dealers.
June, 1992 - Gordon Maccani reports that he is making progress on a new leasing program for dealers.
July, 1992 - Surveyed dealers concerning the need for a dial up bulletin board.
August, 1992 - Started Dealer Bulletin board to exchange files, place classified ads to buy/sell misc. parts, and list concerns and ideas. System running with 29 users by end of Sept. Bulletin board # 217-442-5148.
September, 1992 Meeting at TCA has 25 dealers meeting Sunday night to discus goals. A new leasing program for dealers is unveiled and well received. Rollout of the Electra Professional by Gail Fisher with about 40 dealers present. Dr. Millard announces that NEC is no longer selling parts to non-dealers. Coupons for $200 discount on Phonebiz Software available to NEC Dealers.
October, 1992 Second Annual Meeting at NATA. Adopt new budget calling for $300 per dealer per year dues.
November, 1992 Roll out of Bell Atlantic Leasing. Major staff changes taking place at NEC.
January, 1993. AAC calls a meeting of the Dealer Council in Melville with BSSD and ATD staff attending. AAC picks up travel costs for Dealer Council members. Sheldon Allen presents results of a dealer survey and changes needed for the Electra Professional. Additional discounts on the 1400 requested and later granted.
February, 1993. NEC ATD engineers visit Dealer Council member Sheldon Allen regarding the need for virtuals on the E Pro II. Pay Proceeds to NEC approved for Bell Atlantic Leasing. Sixty users of the Dealer Bulletin Board.
March, 1993. NEC engineers from Tokyo visit four dealers regarding changes needed for the E Pro II.
April, 1993. Members of the Dealer Council met with NEC in Dallas to here the report of progress being made on the Pro II software.
Sept., 1993. National dealer meeting at TCA. Meetings with the Dealer Council resulted in several improvements: NEC will supply software to upgrade all Pro II's in the field and pay dealers $100 to install. Name changed to National Dealers Association and dues remain at $300 per dealer. NEC agreed to extend product warranty from 12 to 14 months from date of shipment. Quantity required for discount for government sales changed to from 10 to quantity of 1.
1994 - Product committees were established for key, 1400/2000, and 2400 to involve more dealers and provide an ongoing focus for software and hardware needs
1995 - Multi-location account program set up to encourage dealers to work together on out of area accounts.
1996 - Dealer Council authorized an Internet Home Page at the meeting in Dallas in June. First woman elected to the Council, Maureen Gaynor from Gaynor Telesystems. Training committee appointed to deal with training issues. Web site started in August.
1997 - Annual meeting in Los Angeles at CTI show, March 5, 1997. By-laws ammended to add 1 seat on the Council to a member from Canada. Name changed to North American Dealers Association to reflect Canada members. Suzanne Sherrod of BMS Communications Services, Ltd. elected by the Council to serve during 1997. Publication of newsletter begins and is received very well by the dealers. Membership passes the 150 mark. Maureen Gaynor elected president for 1998.