Irwin Lazar's "Real-Time" Blog

FAA Considering Google Apps & Linux

This is a few weeks old, but still a very interesting read:

Information Week: FAA May Ditch Microsoft's Windows Vista and Office For Google and Linux Combo

The basic idea is that the FAA believes it can save money and complexity by moving to a simpler, hosted software-as-a-service platform. The end result would be better client security and easier system management.

Then there's this: ComputerWorld: Why Microsoft Should Fear Apple

As I noted earlier in postings about increasing enterprise use of Mac, I wonder if Windows Vista's complexities and hardware demands will create momentum for alternative platforms, whether they be Linux, Mac, or thin-client.

For those interested in following one organization's migration to Mac, check out Webjdedi.net

Microsoft OCS 2007 Beta

The Microsoft OCS 2007 beta is now available for general download and evaluation. We published our Nemertes Impact Analysis on Friday, you can read it at on our web site (free registration required).

Collaboration Loop: A Second Life For Collaboration?

My latest post on Collaboration Loop is now available: A Second Life For Collaboration?

Dan Farber: Coming soon: Offline access to Web applications

Dan Farber writes about Zimbra's announcement of an off-line capability for its web-based collaboration & messaging application.

See: Coming soon: Offline access to Web applications

Zimbra is moving very aggressively to provide a credible open-source alternative to the Notes/Exchange-based suites.

Vonage - Verizon injunction

Verizon won an injunction against Vonage that would effectively shut Vonage down, but the Judge won't sign the stay until a hearing in two weeks on Vonage's request for a stay of the injunction.

If Verizon wins the appeal, I can't see how Vonage survives, perhaps their only recourse is to seek a Verizon acquisition.

Wow.

Palm to be acquired?

Unstrung is reporting that a deal to buy Palm is in the "final stretch." The question remains "who's the buyer?"

According to the article Nokia is the leading bidder, but Palm would rather have a private buyer. A Nokia-Palm merger could be interesting, but it would mean a lot more uncertainty given that they run separate operating systems with separate application services. Motorola is also reportedly in the mix.

Could we be heading toward the final days of Palm OS?

Jon Arnold: Has VoIP Peaked?

Jon Arnold has an interesting post today: Has VoIP Peaked? 8 Reasons Why I Think So

It's hard to argue against him in the consumer space. At this point consumer VOIP remains broken up along two lines. Those like Vonage who are attacking the traditional telephone space head-on and are struggling. And the niche-space with those like Skype and Gizmo who are offering a service that complements rather than seeks to replace the POTS.

The first class has built its value proposition on reducing telephone bills, and as such is highly vulnerable to new bundled service offerings from the cable/telco providers. Why should I stick with Vonage for $24.99 per month when I can get triple play from my cable company including voice, television, and Internet for $100 a month? It's hard to see how these providers have much of a future.

The alternative services provide something different, they bundle mobility, instant messaging, video, and presence into their services and as such are ideal for the mobile or traveling professional. They also offer significant cost savings for international calls and are extremely attractive to geographically dispersed families.

Still, at this point I wonder why this gap still exists. Why can't I get a service from a Comcast, AT&T, or Verizon that merges my home phone with a Skype-like service, so I can integrate presence as I can now do in most enterprise offerings. Tello tried to build out that kind of service and failed. Perhaps we overestimate the attractiveness of things like presence on the desktop in the consumer space, especially given that most individuals prefer their mobile phone to all other means of communication. Perhaps initiatives such as Iotum's "Talk-Now" which brings presence to the mobile user (though right now just for Blackberry) is where the real excitement will occur moving forward.

Of course the enterprise space is a completely different story. VOIP in the enterprise is heading for a massive upswing based on our research and that of others, and the opportunities to integrate voice and other real-time communications with collaboration and business process applications is generating a great deal of interest.

Cisco-Web Ex Analysis

We just published our Impact Analysis on the Cisco-WebEx announcement (free site registration required). I've also published a piece on Collaboration Loop as well covering the collaboration and social-computing aspects of the deal.

BTW, I also published a piece a few weeks ago on Collaboration Loop entitled "IM 2.0", it covers some of the trends as IM evolves to be more than just a text messaging service. I'll be moderating a panel on the same topic at the upcoming Enterprise 2.0 event this June in Boston.

 

 

GigaOm: Goodbye Tello

Om has the scoop on Tello closing up show: Goodbye, Tello

I've heard rumblings that this was coming, but didn't have any confirmation until seeing Om's piece this morning. I was pretty high on Tello, it was the first enterprise-focused presence service that could integrate with an enterprise's existing telephony system.

Cisco Acquires WebEx

Huge announcement out of Cisco this morning.

Cisco Announces Agreement to Acquire WebEx

Cisco is currently holding a conference call on the news. They are stressing that they will preserve WebEx's current service model, and they see this as a way for Cisco to improve its position in the SMB market. I'm sure there will be a lot more to come as we learn more about this deal.