Verizon's Keith Kidd, a 30-year telecommunications veteran and
an expert in systems-and-equipment testing programs and processes,
has been named president of the newly formed Network Test
Automation Forum.
The forum is a global effort to promote interoperability among
test tools and to simplify and automate the processes used by
service providers, network equipment manufacturers and other
enterprise organizations to test equipment in a laboratory, prior
to deployment.
Kidd, a director in Verizon's Network and Technology Labs, said
that the process for testing equipment to be deployed in networks
can be streamlined and that ultimately, "better integration of
testing tools will lead to faster technology introductions and
better, innovative services for customers."
He noted: "Automated testing is no longer a luxury. Every
organization engaged in defining, developing and delivering new
services must automate as much as possible to improve the speed to
market and reduce the overhead of delivering their product or
service. That's what the forum will promote."
The Network Test Automation Forum (NTAF) was founded by Breaking
Point Systems, BT, Cisco, Ericsson, EXFO, Empirix, Fanfare
Software, Ixia Communications, JDSU, Spirent Communications and
Verizon.
NTAF is professionally managed by Association Management
Solutions (AMS), which provides its clients with a powerful
combination of dedicated staff and internal technology development,
event services and strategic marketing resources. AMS works
with forums, special interest groups, standards bodies and
technology associations. Clients include: Broadband Forum,
IETF, Optical Internetworking Forum, MultiService Forum and the
Gaming Standards Association.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in
New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other
wireless and wireline communications services to mass market,
business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon
Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
more than 91 million customers nationwide. Verizon also
provides converged communications, information and entertainment
services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and
delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers
around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse
workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated
consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more
information, visit www.verizon.com.
About Network Test Automation Forum (NTAF)
The Network Test Automation Forum brings together users,
vendors, and other telecommunications and data communications
industry experts for the purpose of creating interoperable testing
solutions for service providers, network equipment manufacturers,
and other enterprise organizations with large network
deployments.