It is easy to see how news can leak out when there is a product delay. Customers need to be told of the delay and I would suspect sales or support people are hardly tight lipped when it comes to keeping a good working relationship. I can give WIND management the benefit of the doubt here.
However, from WIND's web site this is their description of Tornado for
Embedded Internet: "Wind River Systems' Tornado for Embedded Internet Product Suite® is a fully integrated package for bringing the advantages of the Internet to embedded computers such as smart phones, network computers, networked printers, cable modems, and switches."
Now, here is what the press is reporting about MSFT NTE and CE:
"Microsoft will target embedded NT at complex systems such as telephone switches and remote access servers, while it continues to push Windows CE for client devices such as smart phones. Already, a number of embedded devices, such as telecom routers, use custom versions of Windows NT. Device makers, however, must use tools such as VenturCom Inc.'s Component Integrator to strip out unneeded parts of the operating system or write their own code to make NT work on the embedded devices. Vendors will still need to use a tool such as Component Integrator to carve out the pieces they want to use. Microsoft will ship a tool based on Component Integrator, which it licensed from VenturCom in June."
In a different article regarding Embedded NT:
"Microsoft expects the operating system to be used in a wide range of devices, including telecommunications routers and remote access servers, office printers and copiers, manufacturing systems, medical equipment, and retail point-of-sale terminals."
Regarding the conference call, WIND management either has their head in the sand or they do not want to give any impression that MSFT is moving into their turf with CE (smart phones) and NTE (switches, routers, printers etc.). Their emphasis away from just being a tools provider to a solutions provider contradicts the former. In my opinion, they are very aware of this threat and are obviously downplaying it at this point. Look at Ciena's sales drop when Lucent just hinted that it would be releasing a product that did basicly the same thing as Ciena's product. Customer's put product decisions on hold. I don't know if this is happening, but in my mind management is not being forthright regarding the competitive threat.
Unless someone can please explain the difference to me between a MSFT controlled switch and router and a WIND controlled switch and router! Sounds like the same intelligent Internet to me.
I own both companies and I am bullish on both companies. Mainly because of WIND's lead, their quality products and the huge market. But I also think reality, not ignorance should be the watchword when evaluating investments.
Bruce |
