Response to the Radicati Market Analysis Study of June 2004, Jul 23

I've been an analyst, researcher and consultant in the messaging and collaboration market since 1994. During that time, I've watched Microsoft and Lotus closely, commenting on many of their respective moves directly to clients, and in publications via Ferris Research. This paper is a response to The Radicati Group's recent White Paper, "IBM Lotus & Microsoft--Corporate Messaging Market Analysis" (June 2004), available at www.radicati.com/reports/single.shtml.

My overall analysis of its White Paper is that it is a headline grabbing publication lacking analytical rigor, logic and appropriate follow-through. The paper is unbelievable in this respect, making me wonder whether it is really an independent publication, or marketing material sponsored by Microsoft. The author seeks to compare two platforms that are entirely different in terms of scope and imagination, and then recommends a path for clients. I strongly believe that the author entirely misses the point, is totally wrong in the commentary on Microsoft's messaging strategy, and therefore provides market share growth figures that are just plain wrong.

Read the full article:

Comments

[Ed Brill]

a "manual trackback":
"Michael has been an observer of the entire messaging wars market era, so he knows the history of the various products discussed. More importantly, he's applied a critical eye to the analytical technique as much as the analysis."

[Peter]

Michael you must be wright. NO analyst is independend. I find only the analysts in favour of my products (or that of my company) are wright and always find ways to undermine the report other analysts.

[Bruce Elgort]

Read Nathan's take at:

http://www.bruceelgort.com/blogs/be.nsf/plinks/BELT-636TSU

[Eric Mack]

Michael, thanks for your cogent response. In addition to challenging the assumptions given in the paper, you also hold al of us, as technology professionals accountable to high standards. This benefits everyone.

I've blogged in response at
http://www.ericmackonline.com/emo/emonline.nsf/dx/is-there-a-future-for-microsoft-and-ibm