Following the example of ProNeXT, the alliance of users at corporate sites formed two years ago, a new and as-yet-unnamed corporate user group has sprung up among information executives at Midwestern NEXTSTEP sites.
According to Mike Adelson, project manager at Chrysler Financial, the group first met in August and consists of Chrysler Financial; Swiss Bank Corporation; Temerlin McClain; PanCanadian Petroleum; Abbott Labs; Rogers Cantell, a Toronto-based telecommunications partner of McCaw Cellular; and at least one other unnamed firm. A representative from ProNeXT spoke to the group at the first meeting on basic organization issues and how to structure the group along the lines of the "object-oriented paradigm," Adelson said.
The group is not seen as a competitor to ProNeXT but instead as a way to ensure a common message to that group as well as NeXT. "We just wanted something for the Midwest, where we could get together easily and share ideas. All of us are within four hours of each other," Adelson said. The Midwest group will continue to be active in, and send representatives to, ProNeXT meetings.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Chicago in January. Users at Midwestern NEXTSTEP sites are welcome to contact him about joining, Adelson said.