Bloor Research -- Is the WebSphere family unnecessarily complex?

November 10 2004

Is the IBM WebSphere product family unnecessarily complex? If you listen to the competitors the answer is a resounding yes. But the reasons for this complexity and the impact on users are less clear. A common explanation is that the complexity means that IBM sells lots of consultancy to help implement projects; although this is a good jibe against IBM it is patently untrue. Spending five dollars on consultancy for every dollar of software makes the total cost of the project very high. Even IBM would not survive long if the competitors' ratio was, say, two to one off a lower software cost. It might be attractive in the short term but it is an unsustainable business model. In the worst scenario the consultants would not be from IBM.
A good article dispelling some of the perceptions around the WebSphere family; important because some would try to extend this mindset to Lotus Workplace.  Yesterday's announcement of Workplace Services Express should indicate how focused IBM is on making these products easy to install/configure/deploy...and the new archive installer will make its way from WSE into WebSphere Portal and Lotus Workplace servers.
Link: Bloor Research -- Is the WebSphere family unnecessarily complex? >

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  IBM  Add/View Comments [4]

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  1. 1  Sagar  | 11/10/2004 1:39:21 PM

    {

    ...easy to install/configure/deploy...and the new archive installer will make its way from WSE into WebSphere Poratl and Lotus Workplace servers...

    }

    I am eagerly waiting for the day when I will this ..easy to install/configure/deploy.. Its like dream come true ..

  1. 2  jwylie  | 11/10/2004 5:23:33 PM

    WSE is a quick install - I was impressed. Then again I find portal + domino relatively easy when using a guide. My only real issue is trying to identify the downloads I require to actually do the install.

  1. 3  Simon Barratt  | 11/11/2004 10:14:15 AM

    Here, here.

    I have tried to download the Workplace software from the Passport site, and each time I give up Combintation of there being far too many components to pick from and the way in which the system forces you to add them to your cart.

  1. 4  Neil Roberts  | 4/7/2006 12:23:56 AM

    I agree... lots to pick from. Which one?