Going Fast and Missing a Curve: Collision or Near Miss?
July 23, 2011
Last week we heard a number of rumors about layoffs and other organizational shifts at the Microsoft Fast Search units. We are not sure whether the news reported at Enterprise Search: The Business and Technology of Corporate Search was accurate. We don’t want to speculate.
We, like you, read:
[We] just learned that most of the FAST people we work with here in California and across the country have been laid off by Microsoft, apparently effective immediately. This is the team that was responsible for selling the FAST ESP products – FSIS and FSIA – as well as working with the Microsoft sales teams on Fast Search for SharePoint (FS4SP). Funny, I was just drafting a blog post today on ‘the future of FAST’ and I’m glad I hadn’t finished; I never would have guessed this at all.
Let’s assume that the rumor is false. The Microsoft consultants don’t make any changes. SharePoint generates significant consulting opportunity just the way it is.
Let’s assume the rumor is true. There are many firms ready, willing, and able to provide the technical support you need for your current SharePoint and Fast search installation. For most licensees, Microsoft’s shifting staff or reorganizing is almost a business-as-usual management method in Redmond.
Let’s assume there is just more uncertainty about the Fast search technology. My view is that deep experience in search is more important than speculating about what a very large company is doing to manage its products and services for its clients. I explain some of the issues associated with Microsoft’s approach to search in my new monograph The New Landscape of Enterprise Search. Check it out. (Sorry. I don’t provide the juicy details in this free blog.)
So, let’s put aside the issue of a single shift in a product. The focus at most SharePoint focused service firms will be on helping clients solve their technical problems. What is likely to happen is that some SharePoint licensees will look for search solutions which have traction in the marketplace and proven staying power. For that reason, you may want to check out the Exalead approach.
Stephen E Arnold, July 23, 2011
Sponsored by Article One Partners, your source for patent research.
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