Showing posts with label strategy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strategy. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Openbook: Is Via's OpenBook the Next (Little) Big Thing in UMPCs?
Openbook: Is Via's OpenBook the Next (Little) Big Thing in UMPCs?
VIA is the only Taiwanese Semiconductor Company that dares to compete with Intel & AMD on PC CPU/Chipset arena. While VIA has been fighting this losing battle for a long time, the Sub-Notebook market has indeed opened another door for VIA.
OpenBook concept is VIA's strategy to capture new entrants of Sub-Notebook marketplace. By offering layout design free of charge, any company entering this field will be able to build their own Sub-Notebook/UMPC in relatively short time. But why would any company enter this market? It's already crowded. Without significant innovation on human interface design, Sub-Notebook market segment will step into the unavoidable price war.
Now, if I own the capital to spend on this venture, I would collaborate with Ubuntu, VIA and nVidia to produce a Multi-Touch UMPC aimed at aged people. What they need is just a beautiful device that can allow them to browse internet easily, store photos and perform conference call. Sadly, no company has paid enough attention to this market yet.
VIA is the only Taiwanese Semiconductor Company that dares to compete with Intel & AMD on PC CPU/Chipset arena. While VIA has been fighting this losing battle for a long time, the Sub-Notebook market has indeed opened another door for VIA.
OpenBook concept is VIA's strategy to capture new entrants of Sub-Notebook marketplace. By offering layout design free of charge, any company entering this field will be able to build their own Sub-Notebook/UMPC in relatively short time. But why would any company enter this market? It's already crowded. Without significant innovation on human interface design, Sub-Notebook market segment will step into the unavoidable price war.
Now, if I own the capital to spend on this venture, I would collaborate with Ubuntu, VIA and nVidia to produce a Multi-Touch UMPC aimed at aged people. What they need is just a beautiful device that can allow them to browse internet easily, store photos and perform conference call. Sadly, no company has paid enough attention to this market yet.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Analysts to Google: Buy Salesforce
Analysts to Google: Buy Salesforce
For some reason unknown, once in a while some analysts may decide to step up and tell a company how to run itself.
Let's skip the obvious and go deeper into the right question: does Google want to succeed in anything other than advertising?
Google Application, although well developed and well integrated into SF.COM, is still an experimental toy for Google. Yes, it has potential, but a company can only focus on limited number of thing at a time.
Google has proven to be extremely efficient in terms of monetizing search related technology. From the proportion of spotlight that Google's products received, it is easy to conclude that essentially the next big thing is still advertising. Youtube and Android, for example, are just new platform for advertising, and we can't really say the same for Google Applications.
To promote Google Application aggressively is to fight a war in a battlefield that Google has not yet claimed dominance. It's time-consuming, resource-draining and profit-thinning. Why would Google do that right now?
Of course, Google has interest in this market, but it's not time yet for Google to become serious.
For some reason unknown, once in a while some analysts may decide to step up and tell a company how to run itself.
Let's skip the obvious and go deeper into the right question: does Google want to succeed in anything other than advertising?
Google Application, although well developed and well integrated into SF.COM, is still an experimental toy for Google. Yes, it has potential, but a company can only focus on limited number of thing at a time.
Google has proven to be extremely efficient in terms of monetizing search related technology. From the proportion of spotlight that Google's products received, it is easy to conclude that essentially the next big thing is still advertising. Youtube and Android, for example, are just new platform for advertising, and we can't really say the same for Google Applications.
To promote Google Application aggressively is to fight a war in a battlefield that Google has not yet claimed dominance. It's time-consuming, resource-draining and profit-thinning. Why would Google do that right now?
Of course, Google has interest in this market, but it's not time yet for Google to become serious.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Breaking: FCC Confirms that Big Winner in Spectrum Auction is Verizon. So Why Is Google Smiling?
Breaking: FCC Confirms that Big Winner in Spectrum Auction is Verizon. So Why Is Google Smiling?
Nicely played. As what I have mentioned before: The beauty of capitalism and free market is competition. In long term, consumers always win.
Nicely played. As what I have mentioned before: The beauty of capitalism and free market is competition. In long term, consumers always win.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
More Google Docs available offline: Spreadsheets, presentations | Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone
More Google Docs available offline: Spreadsheets, presentations | Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone
Offline Google Applications are definitely a boon to commuting and traveling users. But it is still kind of wierd to use a browser as your office suite interface.
What about, for example, adopting openoffice as user interface and using Google API to keep document contents in sync? Now that there are way too many "open" or "open-sourced" applications out there, creativity lies in integrating those efforts, I think.
Offline Google Applications are definitely a boon to commuting and traveling users. But it is still kind of wierd to use a browser as your office suite interface.
What about, for example, adopting openoffice as user interface and using Google API to keep document contents in sync? Now that there are way too many "open" or "open-sourced" applications out there, creativity lies in integrating those efforts, I think.
HP leaves Dell with an EDS-shaped hole | Channel Register
HP leaves Dell with an EDS-shaped hole | Channel Register
Where would Dell go for next step?
Among all enterprise IT vendors, Dell is the only vendor whom does not possess its own IT consulting arm. Honestly, that indeed may make Dell to stand in an unfavorable position.
On the consumer side, even Apple has surpassed Dell in PC sales. Standing under the shadow of IT giants like IBM and HP, Dell's line of PC Servers is going to suffer even fiercer competition. In age of consolidation, those whom don't buy get bought. But as always, it is easier said than done.
Dell might as well as learn from lessons of BEA, my former employer. BEA focused on its strength-middleware-and tried to be the sole significant independent enterprise software provider standing, and we know how it went.
People like Carl Ichan is always watching for suitable target. Who know which company is next after the market has digested Microsfot-Yahoo! takeover?
Where would Dell go for next step?
Among all enterprise IT vendors, Dell is the only vendor whom does not possess its own IT consulting arm. Honestly, that indeed may make Dell to stand in an unfavorable position.
On the consumer side, even Apple has surpassed Dell in PC sales. Standing under the shadow of IT giants like IBM and HP, Dell's line of PC Servers is going to suffer even fiercer competition. In age of consolidation, those whom don't buy get bought. But as always, it is easier said than done.
Dell might as well as learn from lessons of BEA, my former employer. BEA focused on its strength-middleware-and tried to be the sole significant independent enterprise software provider standing, and we know how it went.
People like Carl Ichan is always watching for suitable target. Who know which company is next after the market has digested Microsfot-Yahoo! takeover?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
InfoQ: Why do Java developers hate BPM?
InfoQ: Why do Java developers hate BPM?
I have to admit that I'm indeed a BPM fan. It was 85% of my daily job during my BEA days. While I do acknowledge that no single BPM product in market is perfect, BPM software is the only middleware piece that, in my vision, still has tremendous amount of creativity potential.
Current hate for BPM can be categorized as follows:
I have to admit that I'm indeed a BPM fan. It was 85% of my daily job during my BEA days. While I do acknowledge that no single BPM product in market is perfect, BPM software is the only middleware piece that, in my vision, still has tremendous amount of creativity potential.
Current hate for BPM can be categorized as follows:
- Unclear positioning of what a BPM really is.
- Integration oriented BPM vendor would position BPM as an integration and "Service Orchestration" engine. Workflow Vendors position BPM as interaction between human, organization and systems, adding focus on BAM (Business Activity Monitoring) capabilities. For example, WebLogic Integration is integration oriented BPM; AquaLogic BPM on the other hand is derived from a workflow product.
- Software Developers DO NOT think in terms of processes, but in terms of object models, frameworks and cute AJAX tricks.
- Project, instead of process, is the management term for everything software-related.
- All above applies.
Monday, March 10, 2008
InfoQ: Presentation: Operational Manageability lessons learned from eBay
InfoQ: Presentation: Operational Manageability lessons learned from eBay
Design for operation. That is something that today's corporate IT should embed in their minds.
In past 10 years, the so-called application servers are supposed to provide transparent technologies to software programmers so that programmers don't have to worry about availability and scalability issues. Indeed, in small to medium scalability scenarios, Java EE Application Server like BEA WebLogic has achieved certain success. As clustering demand get larger and more complex, however, features offered by today's application servers are not enough anymore. Like any asset, IT assets today are facing the challenge of fluidity. Computing power should be provided when needed and just as much as needed.
Cloud computing offerings provided by Google and Amazon are indeed quite appealing, but corporate mindset is not likely to concede ownership of core business systems to another entity. Outsourcing is one thing; to convince corporate that EC2 or Google App Engine can be a solid substitute for outsourcing is another.
Therefore, I see several technology/business opportunities:
- Partnership between IBM/Accenture/Tata etc. and Google/Amazon
- This is most likely to happen within near future. An endorsement from IT shop like Accenture would ease corporate mind and fear.
- IT Consulting practices focused on helping build in-house cloud computing architecture
- Certain entrepreneurs departing Google or Amazon could definitely make some buck by sharing their in-house experience.
- Advancement of Virtualization software packages to close the gap between Cloud-computing and Virtualization
- I have seen real demo of VMWare ESX Server. It is a very interesting and promising technology. Endorsement of key outsourcing services providers is key to their success though.
- Cloud-enabling application platforms.
- From a Java programmer perspective, I do hope to see a "cloud-enabling" JavaEE application server. But that is near impossible to happen. Java EE is designed with old-style scalability and availability in mind; its current focus is still to achieve easier development and deployment (which makes sense). I hope that current remaining JavaEE players can allocate some effort in cloud-computing.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
How to save money running a startup (17 really good tips)
How to save money running a startup (17 really good tips)
This is a very sensitive topic. I do agree with most of author's points, especially regarding the way IT investment goes (I might replace Mac to Linux Ubuntu, just for personal flavor).
With so many free/cheap opensource, commercial and SaaS software and hosted solutions, a startup company can indeed save a lot of money on their IT infrastructure. Google Applications + OpenOffice nowadays can provide everything you need; the collaborative nature of Google Docs can actually bring additional productivity for team members.
Do more with less, that's something we call "progress".
This is a very sensitive topic. I do agree with most of author's points, especially regarding the way IT investment goes (I might replace Mac to Linux Ubuntu, just for personal flavor).
With so many free/cheap opensource, commercial and SaaS software and hosted solutions, a startup company can indeed save a lot of money on their IT infrastructure. Google Applications + OpenOffice nowadays can provide everything you need; the collaborative nature of Google Docs can actually bring additional productivity for team members.
Do more with less, that's something we call "progress".
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs: Sandberg leaves for Facebook. Let's all recite Eric Schmidt's Serenity Prayer.
This is one of the times that a satirical blogger like Fake Steve Jobs writes something really deep and funny. Bro, I'm really considering buying your Godsend book by now.
Interestingly, this also shows how startups play this Web 2.0 game. Seeing all these, I can't help but admire people like Bill Gates who built a monopoly by using the force of economics alone. Fair or not, businessman should be rewarded proportionally by the value created, not by media coverage he/she received.
But that's my opinion anyway.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Acer trumped Dell in Q4 07 world laptop sales | The Register
Acer trumped Dell in Q4 07 world laptop sales | The Register
The only truth of business is that everything changes with time. How could we imagine a powerful Dell being surpassed by Apple and Acer in sales?
Both Acer and Asus are Taiwanese brand that struggled for a decade to gain worldwide recognition. Decades ago, many Taiwanese PC manufacturers faced a difficult dilemma: to brand or not to brand? Many of those companies that chosen to brand their own PC/NB were severely punished by big names like IBM, Dell, Compaq and HP. Even today, many quality PC/NB manufacturers in Taiwan still are afraid of a branding strategy, for it means immediate retribution.
It makes me think to see the trend reversing. Actually, no matter which brand of PC or NB you use, it comes (with almost certainty) from a Taiwanese manufacturer. There is no obvious quality differentiation between those manufacturers. Even Apple's newest Macbook Air comes from Taiwan. Now, what makes you, a consumer, already knowing that the quality behind those products are pretty much the same, to choose a Dell over an Asus? Or HP over Acer?
For Apple, I think it's a different matter. At least Apple offers authentic and interesting design; for all I know, most Dell/HP models are designed inside-out by Taiwanese manufacturers. How will a brand like HP or Dell be able to differentiate their hardware?
My opinion is that branding strategy for PC/NB/gadgets providers should seriously include a software strategy. Software, after all, is what makes using computer an interesting experience.
The only truth of business is that everything changes with time. How could we imagine a powerful Dell being surpassed by Apple and Acer in sales?
Both Acer and Asus are Taiwanese brand that struggled for a decade to gain worldwide recognition. Decades ago, many Taiwanese PC manufacturers faced a difficult dilemma: to brand or not to brand? Many of those companies that chosen to brand their own PC/NB were severely punished by big names like IBM, Dell, Compaq and HP. Even today, many quality PC/NB manufacturers in Taiwan still are afraid of a branding strategy, for it means immediate retribution.
It makes me think to see the trend reversing. Actually, no matter which brand of PC or NB you use, it comes (with almost certainty) from a Taiwanese manufacturer. There is no obvious quality differentiation between those manufacturers. Even Apple's newest Macbook Air comes from Taiwan. Now, what makes you, a consumer, already knowing that the quality behind those products are pretty much the same, to choose a Dell over an Asus? Or HP over Acer?
For Apple, I think it's a different matter. At least Apple offers authentic and interesting design; for all I know, most Dell/HP models are designed inside-out by Taiwanese manufacturers. How will a brand like HP or Dell be able to differentiate their hardware?
My opinion is that branding strategy for PC/NB/gadgets providers should seriously include a software strategy. Software, after all, is what makes using computer an interesting experience.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sun shrugs off product slip in Q2 | Channel Register
Sun shrugs off product slip in Q2 | Channel Register
SUN finally gets it. Selling product that requires huge consulting man/days rocks. The game will be SUN vs IBM vs Oracle then.
I wonder, however, how those consulting firms without their own proprietary software/hardware would fare in this game? The consolidation of IT vendors is entering its final chapter; will there be a consolidation of IT consultancy?
SUN finally gets it. Selling product that requires huge consulting man/days rocks. The game will be SUN vs IBM vs Oracle then.
I wonder, however, how those consulting firms without their own proprietary software/hardware would fare in this game? The consolidation of IT vendors is entering its final chapter; will there be a consolidation of IT consultancy?
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Deja vu: Open Handset Alliance
It happened before, and so it happens again.
Open Handset Alliance
I'm not saying that such an open ecosystem for smartphone existed before. I'm just saying that this alliance sounds very like Java Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE). Perhaps it will also impact the industry like Java EE did. We shall see.
Being a developer-minded person, I would definitely look into it, even just for the notion "All applications are created equal".
That's where they nailed it. Symbian, UIQ, iPhone or Microsoft all suffer from not-so-decent built-in applications. The real tragedy about that is that developers are not allowed to modify core built-in applications such as address book and calendar. Yes, there are certain APIs here and there, but that's never enough. I hope that such kind of problem can be addressed by this alliance.
Well, congratulations to Google for another job/strategy well done. No matter who wins this war, software developers are going to benefit from it, I'm sure.
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