Google / Microsoft Competitive AnalysisYou don’t have to agree with the relative weightings in the Diagram below, but just be aware that there is some real competition going on in the Information Management space. And, the competitors are not going to be limited to Google and Microsoft. Play around with the Segments in your mind and speculate how one or the other can close the Gaps.
The Search Battleground: Google’s fortress… ••••••• •••They’ve made is part of our Information culture… THE Brand Name… Used as a Verb…Exploiting Advertising as a Related Opportunity has created a new Segment of the Economy…Would a Microsoft / Yahoo merger really affect Google’s Consumer or Advertiser Mindshare??? “Our research agenda will allow us to take today's search from ourselves and Google, and make what we have today look like a joke.” (Bill Gates, Jan. 2005)We haven’t seen anything yet, but we’ll see. What would it take consumers to say: “I don’t’ know, let’s Live Search it! “ We strongly believe that the leader in a segment should build upon their lead by innovating even faster than the followers.Will Google be able to truly put Search as the center of Enterprise Information Management?Our value proposition in this proposal says that taking the Next Steps beyond Search will make this more likely. The Desktop: Microsoft’s fortress… ••• •••••••
PCs are not going away anytime soon (not even with Vista’s problems)Office is pervasive in the EnterpriseMicrosoft has a Massive lead in ensconced Software and Developer CommunityIt works both ways; people don’t change brands easily without a really good reason. Just as “Let’s Google it!!!” isn’t going away anytime soon, neither will Office without a really compelling paradigm shift to drive people to the alternatives. “In terms of Google, not to overstate it, but they really don't understand the special needs of business.” (Bill Gates, March 2008)“Today, their economic model is based on consumer search. They have done an incredible job there and obviously we're investing in challenging them in that space... If you've seen the Google tools that have tried to do productivity type things, they really don't have the richness or responsiveness. Most of these Google products, to be frank, the day they announce them is their best day and then after that..." “…the combined products under Google Apps (are) a “Microsoft Sharepoint
killer” because (they are) allowing businesses to collaborate without all
that expensive Microsoft software” (Matt
Glotzbach of Google, February 2008)
Will the economic argument really work? Otherwise, it will be difficult for Google to compete on a “Feature by Feature” basis. See Commentary on Google Enterprise... Collaboration and Cloud Computing: The Competitive WildcardsGoogle is all about Cloud Computing… Can Microsoft, although technically capable, make the commitment to change their PC Centric Model?Microsoft Collaboration, on face Value, has more options. But when will Groove Technology really have a transparent and profound impact on the Information User’s everyday workflow?Can Google Sites really compete with Sharepoint?Will either Sites or Sharepoint really reach their potential if populating these repositories doesn’t get easy enough that the normal User doesn’t hesitate to share their important “Finds”?Our value proposition in this proposal says that integrating i360 Workflow into the mix can make usage of these repositories pervasive in the everyday Information lives of Users. Geospatial Software: Sizzle that needs to go mainstreamIt’s great to get directions, eating places, and attractions from an online Map, but this is a place holder for overall competitive presence at this pointCheck out i360 iMapping
|
|
