To: Glenn who wrote (514 ) 12/3/1999 9:21:00 AM From: T-Lo Greens Respond to of 3076
Part 4 of 5: Chat with Echelon Mgmt by AnitaPage (Yahoo posting) Q34: I have been amazed over the past several years as I have followed Echelon that while the general business press is quick to run stories about a new e-commerce site, they are very reluctant to present a story as compelling, unique and potentially world chancing as LonWorks and Echelon. What do you see as the key to getting the attention that Echelon deserves? A34: The press is very funny and not very predictable. I believe that our event on the 30th was very good in creating the awareness of what Echelon is doing. I think that will get us more attention in the future….B Q35: Any NEW institutional interest. A35: Chris – According to the 13f filings, institutions held 9% of Echelon's stock as of Sept 30th. I have received calls since the October announcement. It will take time to see if these calls translate into new holders. Q36: Okay….1 more try...the i.LON box appears (to this dummy) to be industry-centric. What percentage of R&D efforts are focused on bringing to market a product that is home-centric? A36: The i.LON is a platform. It works as well in the home as in commercial and industrial applications. What will move it into the home is more about the physical hardware and less about the guts. Q37: I am curious, why does Echelon keep such information, new products, customers, royalties, etc., so close to the vest. A37: This is confidential information that is more valuable to our competitors than to our stockholders. Q38: Can you provide us with any specific information about your forecasts, such as anticipated sales? A38: Echelon does not issue product revenue forecasts. Q39: Bea, there has been a lot of attention focused on Echelon's relationship with Cisco. How do you then court Lucent and Nortel, etc.? A39: Echelon does not have any exclusive arrangements. Q40: Bea and/or Chris, how are you guys able to straddle the fence in the Microsoft vs. Sun war (and be on both teams)? It must get tricky at times. A40: I believe that it is because Echelon adds value to both Sun and Microsoft offerings. We try not to get involved in any other goings on….B Q41: How far ahead is Echelon in relation to any known competition? A41: Echelon does not have any competitor that focuses on our entire market. We believe that we are ahead of those companies that compete for segments of the markets and we are miles ahead of the recalcitrants who continue to support closed platforms….B Q42: Do you have or foresee any association with the Sprint ION project? A42: I am not familiar with that project….will look into it. Thanks….B Q43: Sprint made their presentation today, right after yours, on ION. I would appreciate this information. A43: Will look at the ION announcement….B Q44: Chris, can you share any trends that have developed in analyst interest in Echelon since our last chat. A44: We continue to have active interest from the 3 sell side analysts that follow Echelon. There has been an increase in buy side interest since the October announcement. For instance, I was on a long call on Monday with an institution that I had visited in May. Q45: My understanding is that your goal is to reach 60% gross margins. Do you see these margins as sustainable down the road? A45: You are correct that Echelon's goal is to achieve 60% gross margin. Our ability to hold these margins will be a matter of execution and competition. Q46: Bea, you teased us at the end of our last chat, something about keeping eyes open for good things to come. How about a similar tart re 2000? A46: I think there are lots of good things that will happen next year. Keep your eyes and ears open…and keep up your wonderful support. We appreciate it….B