Hi Richard,
I've been reading the MSFT vs WIND subject for a while, as well as the related NC debate. MSFT has not moved away from attacking Oracle with SQL Server by any means; in fact, I think MSFT are winning that one. I also think NC's are unlikely to be a large business opportunity for WIND or anyone else (but that's a different story).
Where MSFT are weak is when the software is outside their 'business model'. MSFT's business model is to write some software that mostly works, sell it for low price and make sure it gets better over the next 3 releases. NT, SQL Server, SMS, Exchange, Windows, Word, Access, VB, etc etc were all developed on this basis. (oh, one more thing, if there is no competition, the product sits still; no point in making anything better for the sake of it).
So, does RTOS fit in MSFT's business model? Does it sell through a channel (I think not, anyone care to confirm?)? Can you develop an RTOS that 'mostly works' and still sell it? Even in 5 years time, will there be millions of customers (I don't mean users)? These things suggest to me that MSFT is not ready to get into the business.
I'd watch MSFT carefully for changes, but right now, of all the software companies in the world, WIND is probably the most secure from MSFT's avaricious eye. Siebel, PeopleSoft, Vantive, etc are all more vulnerable than WIND in my opinion...
Richard - a WIND and MSFT investor |
