Windows 7 Year Gap and Why They Can't Catch Up

Finally, Windows 7 is out and reviews are mixed but better than Vista - generally seen as vast improvement over Vista (which was accepted by Steve Ballmer as work in progress or worse). But this is not what this post is about. Even if Microsoft built products that were really good with killer features, it would still lag behind many competitors by up to 7 years.

The problem is Cloud Computing. If you look at some of the features Microsoft plans to release with Microsoft Outlook 2010 next year, they are pretty cool - conversations like GMail, search like Xobni, etc. Pretty awesome stuff. But when will users get to see this new product on their work and home computers - at least 3 or 4 years out. And so, if Microsoft recognized a killer feature like 'converstaions' in Gmail, and decided to add it to the product last year (2008), the product will be released in 2010 and by the time people replace their PCs and corporations adopt the latest as 'standard' - it will be 2013 to 2015 for many. Many of us are still running Windows XP  8 years after release (released 2001) even on new machines.

This is a huge problem for Microsoft. And why can't they break out of it? The one time selling model which collects all license fee upfront. Ideally, Microsoft would keep enhancing its products continuously offering new features (like cloud vendors of today do) enhancing the customer experience and keeping it fresh. But then no one would upgrade. So you are stuck 'creating demand' for your product upgrade by lagging behind. It works when you are the only game in town, and everyone else is bound by the same rules. Enter Cloud Computing.

Cool Outlook 2010 Search Feature: Too late to catch up with GMail?

Imagine if your existing Outlook started supporting faster search or conversations - wouldn't that change your perception of the products and the company?

So here is the conundrum for Microsoft - even if they respond to consumer demands and push out great features, they will still lag cloud computing vendors by 7 years. May be that's why they call it Window 7 - it has features that are frankly 7 years too late!

And this problem is not limited to Microsoft. Oracle and SAP face the same challenge from cloud vendors like Salesforce.com, Taleo, Omniture, SuccessFactors,etc. Fusion has been half-way done since 2006, and there are no signs of when customers will actually get to buy and implement - and then the users will finally see features like integrated search and analytics.

What do you think?

Update: Vinnie asks is Microsoft is winning the battle and losing the war, along similar lines.

Berkeley Haas >PLAY Conference, Digital Media, Diwali and Obama

I know that's a mouthful of a title - but let me help connect the dots (or clouds).

I will be talking about Cloud Computing, educating the future CEOs about the distinction between water vapor (thanks to on-premise CEOs), vapor products (thanks traditional vendors), private clouds (thanks disharmony) and real cloud computing!

Its a great day outside. Its Diwali - a show of lights celebrating all that's good - but Obama can explain this better using digital media than I can using words.

So as I venture to engage in a discussion on Cloud Computing at the Digital Media Conference, I can't help but wonder how else - Cloud (Youtube) and Digital Media (Online Video) would Obama be able to reach a micro audience (okay a billion people but only 2% of the population in USA) without the two - Cloud & Digital Media.

Look forward to talking to a lot of young (and old) MBA students and others attending >PLAY.

http://www.playconference.org/panels.html#panel6

Write me your thoughts.

Cloud Computing is Difficult For CEOs To Understand

Over the last week, there has been a resurgence in problems very intelligent people are having with the term 'Cloud Computing '. This problem is likely to worsen this week. So, what's going on ?

Upton Sinclair used to say- "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!"

I think - "It is difficult to get an on-premise CEO to understand something, when his maintenance revenue depends upon his not understanding it!", call it the Cloud Computing Sinclair Corollary.

For the rest of us that don't have that problem, its rather easy - an application that works on the internet without requiring you to install lots of software or buy hardware.

If you need further help, here is a video (hat tip Vinnie):

Next time you hear a CEO explain how he's finding it difficult to differentiate between decades of on-premise software and hardware, and cloud computing - give him a hug. He just can't understand - the maintenance revenue prevents it.

India Investment & Enterpreneurship Event with Mayfield VC and Former Minister

I wanted to extend an invitation to the blog readers and discount (code: INDIA for 50% off) to an interesting upcoming event for those looking to do business in India.

On October 12th, 2009, join key influencers, and opinion makers at "Advantage India." Explore Investment, Business, and Career opportunities in India. Discuss industry issues candidly, debate new ideas and trends, ask questions, and share opinions. Network with technology executives, venture capitalists, investors, and intellectuals.

• An award-winning journalist, scholar, politician - Dr. Arun Shourie, Former Minister, Information Technology, Disinvestment and Communications, India;
• India's (Former) Lead Banker who co-chaired a G20 Working Group - Dr Rakesh Mohan, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India;
• The Silicon Valley VC who has the Midas touch - Mr Navin Chaddha, Managing Director, Mayfield Fund;
• One of the most influential investors in technology - Mr. M.R Rangaswami, Co-Founder, Sand Hill Group.
• V.I.P. Guest: Mr. Jamshyd Godrej, Managing Director, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

If you are interested in what's happening in India and how to do business there, I certainly recommend this panel discussion.

More information here. Location: PlugNPlay Tech Center, Sunnyvale (Monday Oct 12th at 6.30pm).

Go Check it Out

Its so easy to build websites on Force.com Sites - and its free.

I usually don't post stuff related directly to my work but I am really excited about this capability and the easy to understand video our marketing team put together.