Lotusphere 2006: a disappointing decision

IBM and Microsoft compete vigorously in the collaborative software arena (email, IM, workflow, doc management, ...) yet most companies have a mix of IBM (often Notes/Domino) and Microsoft (Exchange, Sharepoint, Office, Windows, ...) products.

As a result, what customers really need to know is how to make them work together.

Gary Devendorf (a colleague of mine from IBM/Lotus -- now at Microsoft) has continually focused on that. He is personally committed to helping customers use these technologies together and he's traditionally attended the annual Lotus conference in January -- Lotusphere -- to do just that, as an exhibitor.

This year, however, Volker Weber reminded me that IBM has decided for the first time not to allow Gary to set up his humble booth on the Lotusphere event floor.

narrow-mindedness 1 -- Customers 0

Comments

[John Head]

Cliff, your comment 'IBM has decided for the first time not to allow Gary to set up his humble booth on the Lotusphere event floor' does not represent the history very well. Gary has only been on the show floor once (last year) and Microsoft has only had a booth a total of 3 times if I remember correctly. IBM is also not shutting down discussion on integration of Microsoft and Lotus technology at Lotusphere ... there are more sessions this year on integration than last year or the year before ... I know, I am presenting a 2 hour jumpstart on the basics twice and an advanced session on Office and Domino 7 integration via VSTO.

Just think your readers deserve all the info when reading this.

[Duffbert]

Let's get real, Cliff... This has nothing to do with "narrowmindedness". This also has nothing much to do with Gary. Gary has good info. Microsoft wants people to dump Notes and move to Exchange/SharePoint/InfoPath/Groove/whatever. Gary officially representing Microsoft at a Lotus conference is a significant conflict, in that he either represents the company stance (and shouldn't be there in an official capacity) or he's there promoting a different message (which is then a mixed message sent by Microsoft).

Gary's attendance there (as planned) is wonderful for all who know him and want to tap into his expertise. Microsoft as an exhibitor showing collaboration technologies isn't.

[cliffreeves]

Thank you, both Thomas and John for your comments.

To your point on exactly how long Gary has been attending: does it matter? The real question is, what's the reason for the change in policy and is it good for customers attending Lotusphere?

I think a software company's first obligation is to satisfy its customers and in doing so satisfy its shareholders.

While we can argue about who satisfies customers better in specific areas, it is clear that most Notes customers are also Microsoft customers. Those customers value having someone from Microsoft help them -- very constructively -- show how to make those systems work together.

I think customers -- not Microsoft -- are the losers from this decision.

BTW ... IBM is welcome at Microsoft's customer events.

[cliffreeves]

The discussion is active on this topic, on Thomas' blog here ... http://hostit1.connectria.com/twduff/home.nsf/plinks/TDUF-6K25RQ

I have excerpted what seems to me a balanced view from Carl Tyler, an old friend from my Lotus days. Carl says:

"Here's a question, which company has come to us with more requests to help migrate Sametime users to Microsoft LCS? you'd think Microsoft but in fact you'd be wrong. IBM Global Services, who basically would sell their own children if there was consulting $ in it, have actually come to us more often than Microsoft to help migrate users. I'd worry more about that than Gary at Lotusphere.

I believe Ambuj Goyal said in an interview that was referenced on Ed's site "when Microsoft goes head to head with Lotus, Lotus wins" so what's the fear?

I like to take the moral high ground on these things and imagine that adults are dealing with adults, and adults can be expected to be well behaved and ethical."