Microsoft’s Certified Partners Are Jittery
February 9, 2009
The Fast Forward conference (search, not the science fiction show) is now a reality. I want to report that I have had more Microsoft announcements in the last few hours than I normally receive in a month. The announcements–email spam, really–underscore how Microsoft’s executive revolving door has escalated the uncertainty among certified partners. I don’t want to mention the names of these nervous Nellies. You can spot the Microsoft mania in other Web log posts. The spammers know who they are, and I don’t want to deal with outputs from legal eagles. I can offer a handful of observations germane to the shindig at which Microsoft’s most recent enterpriser search strategy will be unveiled this week. If you are not familiar with this user group meeting gussied up for the faithful, you can read about the FUG (Fast User Group) here. The conference is in Las Vegas, a place where risk and odds make the city vibrate.
First, expect good news, lots and lots of good news about the power, flexibility, and value of the Fast Search Enterprise Search Platform. In my limited experience with these types of events, not much of the downside of the system will find its way to the lectures, cheerleading sessions, and events. To be fair, the open user groups went the way of the dodo. The reason is that users form grouplets and then some of these grouplets raise a stink. The controlled user group, in this case the FUG, helps to ensure that the agenda is followed. Closely followed. Is there a downside to Fast ESP or any other search system? In a word, “Yep.” Fast ESP in particular? Good question indeed. Example here.
Second, expect anti Google moves. Now the speakers will be gracious to Googzilla. The GOOG will be praised for doing a good job in Web search, but that GOOG technology doesn’t do the job an enterprise needs. Furthermore, the GOOG has primed the market with a low priced, inferior product that sets the stage for a low priced superior offering from Microsoft. Around this theme, there will be “experts” who point out that Google does okay but Microsoft does much better. The attendees will, in my experience, cheer when Googzilla takes a liver punch.
Third, expect consultants, pundits, and advisors to quiver with excitement. Users of SharePoint will be ready to pay big bucks for guidance. Among the questions that these wizards will “answer” are: “What’s this mean for the 50 million document limit in SharePoint?” “When do I abandon a free SharePoint search and move to the more capable search platform?” “Will the new and improved search work with Dynamics, SQL Server, and other servers that Microsoft puts into client locations?” “Will there be a managed service available from Fast Search’s data centers?” “Whom do I call when I can’t get the indexing subsystem to update?” “How much are the connectors to hook the new search system into a legacy Ironsides application running on an old AS/400?” I must admit that I don’t have answer to some of these questions, and I would wager a goose feather that the boffins don’t have the answer either. That’s what makes consultants quiver: getting paid to find out the answer to a question that can’t be answered for quite a while.
To close, I want to offer some observations about the impact of Fast Forward’s “news” on Googzilla. Keep in mind that I have zero relationship with either of these publicly traded companies, so you are getting my opinions.
- Google doesn’t really care too much about Fast Forward search announcements. The GOOG is busy responding to unsolicited inquiries about its various enterprise products and services. I wouldn’t be surprised if Googlers did not know about the event. Fast Forward is not technical, and technology, not PR and boosterism, doesn’t resonate with some of the Googley tribe.
- Customers are defining search as Google. Microsoft will have to find a way to counter the grassroots interest in Google solutions. Large consulting firms are forming Google practices to respond to demand. Microsoft consulting practices are in place, but these are different in their tone and services from the Google practices. One consulting firm is making phone calls trying to find Googley people to ram information in the members of the Google practice. There is a hunger for Google information based on my narrow angle of view. Google has grassroots growing in Microsoft’s playing field.
- Integrators are getting more interested in things Google. It is not just the Google Search Appliance, the Google Apps, or GMail. Google appears to be what a snowmobile drivers wants: fresh, firm, untracked snow. Integrators want to be among the first to blast through this pristine environment, reaping the joy and excitement of the new. Microsoft, despite its best efforts, is not new.
As more “news” from Fast Forward flows into the hollow here in Harrods Creek, I will filter and comment as my wont. In the meantime, I am going to check out what’s new on Google via Overflight.
Stephen Arnold, February 9, 2009
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