Microsoft interoperability principles
MS has published far reaching interoperability pinciples. Check the interoperability principles at http://www.microsoft.com/interop/principles/default.mspx
These principles touch all high volume products ( operating systems (server and desktop), Database(SQL 2008), Office 2007, Exchange 2007, MOSS 2007 and future version of these products).
Broadly principles are
1. open connections to MS products through open protocols, open APIs etc.,
2. Support for standards
3. Data Portability through support of open formats
4. Open Engagement with customers, open source and industry
Looks like MS is promising one more time that it is moving towards "openness" in their products and technologies. There were many promises earlier but this is the first time principles are enunciated in such a clear manner.
May be it is a narrow prism to see this announcement but coming just before the ISO ballot resultion meeting from Feb 25 th to 29th to decide on Open XML raises few hackles.
Interestingly Ray Ozzie calls it as "very important strategic shift for every engineer at MS". It would be interesting to see how this promise would translate into implementation in the products.
- What do you think why MS is trying to be more open than it was before?
- Why it has to assure the community about its commitment to "openness"?
- Distinction between interoperability and "openness" as seen from this announcement?
- Does this mean Open source developers wont be sued who extend MS products?
- Does openness make MS products more vulnerable? build bridges and then later on replace with competing products?
- What are the implications of Reasoable and Non Discriminatory (RAND) license means?
What do you think. Let me know your opinion.
Comments
It is interesting to see the intiative from Microsoft. The reason for such initiative is quite obvious. Competition!!!
And I think it is a very matured decision taken at a right time. Dynamics of Business will force the change of strategies. Players like Google have entered the market with a great tenacity both in terms of technology and in terms of novel business strategies. An organization like Microsoft atleast cannot just ignore this.
While Microsoft makes some really good products, it is also important for them to ensure its reach its targeted community. It is necessary for any Business to move according to the market and not to expect the market to move according to them (Monopolistic tendency).
Customers always look to get the best that is available for them from the market. That also means a mix of products. A non-Microsoft product can be best at something and customer may want to use the Microsoft product along with that. If Microsoft doesn't support an interoperability or support with that product, there is every possibility that Microsoft loses one Customer. And the most important thumb rule in business, "One bad impression about a product and it spreads like a contagious virus".
So, I am not really surprised by the move of Microsoft. This had to happen sometime. However, now begins the interesting story. How does Microsoft get into this world of "Openness" and make its mark? Well Time is the Witness!!!
Posted by: Raghu Kishore Vempati | February 22, 2008 05:15 AM