Network Outages - Part Deux

Thank you all for the responses to my earlier blog post on network outages - I sincerely appreciate the comments and perspectives. Indeed, the purpose of my post was to generate discussion and highlight that there are alternatives to the use of third-party Network Operation Centers (NOCs).

Generally, there are two options for deploying a mobile platform:

• Use a third party to provide a NOC
• Leverage your existing infrastructure

As I originally wrote, we believe that the best solution is to eliminate third-party email servers, third-party NOCs (and their hassles and costs), while maximizing simplicity and control. As we've seen with RIM's recent service interruptions (it appears that another occurred again yesterday), there are challenges with having an additional point of failure. These challenges, coupled with overall lack of control, can cause tremendous productivity loss to IT departments and mobile workers.

Feedback that we've received from a number of IT departments of companies ranging from all sizes indicates that maintaining control of their platform and infrastructure is one of their most critical requirements. Can non-carrier related outages and other issues arise with in-house only deployments? Yes, but then the control for the solution/fix becomes the primary responsibility of the IT department - not a third party (e.g. in circumstances when using a NOC deployment).

In addition to control, another big issue for IT departments is quantifying "Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)." Indeed, it can be more art than science as there are so many variables to factor. According to a study by Wipro Technologies on the Microsoft Windows Mobile site, Windows Mobile (without third-party email servers and NOCs) has a TCO of 20-28% less than RIM.

There's no question that for some organizations, the third-party NOC functionality and manageability benefits are important. But for many organizations, eliminating the third-party NOC is worth considering.

Mark C. - Senior Manager, Enterprise Solutions

Comments

[Chad Garrett]

I agree. RIM has had a great run so far, but as they expand and take on more customers, this was bound to start to happen.

[bulls96]

I am wondering why Palm was getting bad reactions about this type of aggressive move towards the competition.

When Apple hits blatantly on Microsoft on all those Mac Ads, people cheer! But Palm, just hitting on RIM, people say you're playing dirty etc etc.

I am all for this.

But seriously Palm, you need a PR makeover... i dont know how you'll do it... but almost every single move a majority of the Tech Public, they try to pick on every negative angle and highlight it.

Have you considered a commercial model of some sort? like Dwayne Wade with the Sidekick or something like that? Seriously, Palm needs a new face. Someone who can shed the good news of the Palm Experience.

[PacManFoo]

So are you (Palm) promising no down time from any of the carriers that sell your phone. That's the way I've taken your columns regarding this. Wow no dropped calls or dropped network from any carrier using Palm devices. I think you need to make a big ad in the paper with this promise.

[GF]

>>So are you (Palm) promising no down time from any of the carriers that sell your phone. That's the way I've taken your columns regarding this. Wow no dropped calls or dropped network from any carrier using Palm devices. I think you need to make a big ad in the paper with this promise.

Exactly like what's bulls96 mentioned.

[JumpingJoe]

Nice point but there are tradeoffs between NOC and no NOC. NOC allow device and systems management which 80% of the enterprise (companies with 500 employees+) need today. Like in the past, Palm does NOT understand the enterprise and your point reflects this. Good luck and remember those who live in glass houses SHOULD NOT throw stones

[PalmInvestor]

I like what Palm is doing going after Rim. I agree as Microsoft gets their Servers tuned up, they will slowly take away Rims business. You have Server A (Microsoft) and Server B (Rim) and A now does what B does for FREE, it won't be long before you look at LOC and B gets the boot. My brother is a CIO for a enterprise company (more than 2,500 employees) and they are already testing Windows devices. He tells me it won't be long before they give the Rim server the boot.

[qrius]

there's a big difference between what Mac is doing and what Palm is doing. Mac is innovative, and constantly succeeding or at the forefront of technology. Take a look at the ipod, iphone, macbook, macbook pro, imac, and now the macbook air.

What does palm have? The treo line, which are pretty much the same barring color and size. Then you have your windows mobile palms, which you don't really own, but represents how you SOLD OUT b/c you could not keep up and innovate.

so comparing the apple and palm are in no way the same. Palm is in the last of race, and you're trying to insult those in the front hoping to slow them down in some way w/ verbal assaults only w/ no actions.

[Mark C. (Palm, Inc.)]

Thank you all for your comments -- pro and con.

The main idea of the blog was to discuss the paradigm that third-party Network Operation Centers (NOC's) are necessary, especially when maximizing control and minimizing costs are of primary concern.

With the announcement of System Center Mobile Device Manager from Microsoft, IT Departments will be able to leverage their existing infrastructure and provide much of the manageability that third-party NOC's offer today. By using Mobile Device Manager, organizations are able to address IT Departments requirements around security and management while providing end users with access to corporate data through Windows Mobile devices. Mobile Device Manager addresses the needs of a mobile workforce in an organization through security management, device management, and a mobile virtual private network (VPN).

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/mobile/default.mspx

As I wrote, for some organizations, the third-party NOC functionality and manageability benefits are important. However, for many organizations, eliminating the third-party NOC is worth considering, especially when random third-party NOC outages are occurring with increasing frequency and solutions like Mobile Device Manager are becoming available.

[Mary Simms]

How would you get from what was written that Palm is saying there are no potential outages if the carrier network goes does or your Exchange server went down? I don't read that at all? Anyone else getting this or is GF choosing to read from this what he wants to?