If CIOs aren't worried about whether communications hardware andservices suppliers are viable for the long term, they should be, ourexperts say. The danger signs are everywhere.

The demise of Global Crossings earlier this year was only the latestin a string of bankruptcies among competitive carriers. Canadiancompetitive carrier Group Telecom announced it was seeking bankruptcyprotection in June. WorldCom in the U.S. followed with a similarannouncement. Hardware vendors are also disappearing, or selling orabandoning product lines.

"It's a question a lot of our clients are asking us - Is our suppliergoing to be around next year or next month?" says Ian Angus. "You'dalways get this from customers of Frank's Storm Door & TelephoneCompany, but now we're getting it from people working with the biggestnames in the industry."

No company can afford any longer to have one vendor that supplies itslifeblood, Angus cautions. The supplier that you always relied onbecause they were so good may continue that way, but the headlinesshow that you should not assume it. CIOs should at least be thinkingabout and planning what they will do if that vendor ever stopped beingas good, or disappeared. This goes even for blue-chip communicationscompanies.

CIOs should also be learning more about their vendors. "How many CIOsknow how to read a telecom vendor's annual report?" Fox asks. Theyshould know, she argues. And they should be delving into andunderstanding stock reports too. CIOs also ought to attend vendorconferences themselves rather than sending someone from theirdepartment, Fox adds. Such conferences can be key sources ofintelligence on suppliers.