Brendan Read
TMC
September 2009
You are browsing the archive for September 2009.
Creating the Ultimate Tablet PC
September 30, 2009Image via Wikipedia
So Apple is going to re-invent the Newton to create the ultimate tablet with the return of Michael Tchao? That's the big rumor...I hope so. None of the current devices really cut it for serious to use the rock band Tubes song title: "keyboard kids." Take it from this longtime (yeah 20+ years) heavy duty portable computing device user: Apple should borrow/swipe/steal as much as it could from Kyocera i.e. Radio Shack, the makers of the TRS-80 T100s and T200s. In fact Apple should lift the entire line for its own tablets and netbooks.
Avaya 's Act To Keep The Nortel Deal?
September 25, 2009Sticking your head into the mouth of a lion is usually not recommended unless you've conjured a way to make it appear that your life is really in danger...like putting easily-removed false teeth into the feline or other such tricks.
Why else would Avaya--a very smart company--ask Canada's minority Conservative government to have its $915 million purchase of Nortel reviewed, as reported by TMCnet, unless it is very confident of the outcome?
Here is the wording from yesterday's announcement:
OTTAWA, Ontario, September 24, 2009 -- Today, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, issued the following statement regarding the acquisition of Nortel Networks Corporation's Enterprise Solutions Division by Avaya Inc.:
"Avaya filed an application for review under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) of its proposed acquisition of Nortel's Enterprise Solutions Division...."
--
Here's another strange dimension to this deal: no release of the enterprise division's book value compared with the $149 million for the wireless units. Why hasn't this figure made the light of day? Unless someone can enlighten me--given the sales declines experienced by this sector--does it make sense for the enterprise division to be worth more bookwise than wireless?
What is being counted: excess inventory that no one wants to buy, especially now? The value of the precious metals in the unwanted boxes that would have to be recycled? When the Province of Ontario launched its aggressive e-waste program did it realize that some of that junk would be originating from its back yard?
At least Ericsson is taking advantage of Nortel's technology in a leading edge field and is hiring the best and brightest to work for a company that has long had an R&D presence in Canada. In contrast Avaya is buying a division in a 'mature' i.e. slow growth area that is undergoing a technology shift i.e.
Nortel's Poisoned Chalice?
September 16, 2009When you're on your way out, in more ways than one, and you want to wreak revenge on those you truly despise you leave them a poisoned chalice, one fortified with nutrients but laced with a cocktail of deadly agents, one that they have little choice to drink.
For a disgruntled employee that can be the computer virus from Hades. For a head of household that can include a business or property that the heirs can ill-afford to manage. For a political kingpin that can be scandals that will be unearthed, forever embroiling and tainting the new chiefs and their rivals when the old boss is put to earth.
This may well be the case, intentional or more likely unintentional but with the same effect with the sale of Nortel's enterprise division to Avaya
If the Ottawa (Ontario Canada) Citizen newspaper story and competitors' reaction to the sale as reported by TMC are to be believed, Nortel's archrival and half-cousin Avaya--both firms are derived from the same Bell heritage--and which Nortel had tried to buy, should soon feel the toxins coursing its system.
Nortel's Pending Demise Reminder Why Open Source (And Hosting) Is Way To Go
September 9, 2009Last week at IT EXPO West I had the privilege of moderating an excellent session on open source, Leveraging Open Source for Contact Center ROI, with Steve Kaiser from OrecX, Corey McFadden of Infradapt, and Vijesh Mehta of CallFire.
In the discussion of why open source came one excellent benefit: security against the product being phased out and/or the supplier going out of business. With open source you have access to the software kernel--it isn't proprietary--so you can continue to support, adapt, and grow the application to meet your needs regardless of vendor.
The impending demise of Nortel's enterprise division--which it will be unless it is won at the ironically dated/located September 11 auction in New York City by a bidder that is willing to keep it as an independent corporate entity, and that appears unlikely---is a stark reminder of that open source virtue. Anyone who owns Nortel proprietary software, and hardware, will have to plan for end of life, and buying replacement products.
