I'll add my list of noteworthy items from the meeting, and post-meeting discussion:
* There are additional carriers trialing portico besides the ones named in the announcement. The ones who were named in the announcement were the ones willing to have their names publicly disclosed.
* The results of the carrier trials will most likely not be announced until early '99
* They will be adding a conference calling feature to Portico in the near future
* I got to ask the question that's been in the back of mind for a while regarding targeting the automobile market as an obvious area for magicphone, or something like magicphone to show roadmaps, read directions, incorporate GPS, etc. Dr. Markman replied that they are not looking into this at this time. After the meeting, however, I ran the same question through the VP at the magicphone demo booth who told me that the magicphone concept was envisioned specifically for the home market. He did say, though, that GMGC technology will be present in Windows CE II which is the version of the OS for the "Auto PC" and that I would have to use my imagination to make the logical connections there.
* They are working with vendors to supply a "gateway" for interfacing corporate voicemail & e-mail into Porico for the enterprise market that will be targeted down the road.
* Someone asked about the story in the London Times about JFax. Markman replied that they have been having talks with JFax for some time, but that they have not finalized the relationship or agreement with them. He said that JFax might be a future reseller for Portico down the road, or something to that extent.
* When asked about international expansion plans, he announced that the 1st step to achieve that is to have a successful launch here at home in the USA, but that they have received tremendous interest internationally in Portico and that they are working on establishing the relationships now.
I was VERY impressed by the session. Markman is great, I really think so. The overriding Markman philosophy is to keep the focus specific, and execute that focused vision precisely according to plan. I like what I heard. I feel very good about my investment. |
