Software Appliances, we need a definition please!
Monday, May 5th, 2008When I talk to customers or colleagues in IT about appliance based computing, I get a couple different responses. I get the “Huh?” look. I get some futuristic absurdity that makes me re-think why I asked this person in the first place. Or, I get a slightly similar yet different definition I’m familiar with. It makes me recognize how badly we as customers and ISVs need a definition to agree on.
There are pros and cons to the early days of a definition, particularly in software. Vendors are usually guilty of twisting, turning, and manipulating a definition in order to fit their agenda. While customers grab a definition they like and apply it to their world, only to shut out potentially better technology. As more vendors & customers enter the fray, bodies get created, conferences are held, and enough mass is generated to ensure a standard is established. But this takes time and is that really needed? I’m not sure.
Good or bad, I like to go to Wikipedia as a starting point to see if a definition to a personal unknown exists. Everyone needs to place an appropriate filter on what they read and from where, but in this case, I think the Wikipedia definition of software appliances is spot on. We now have a starting point, a definition that is public, neutral, and in the open for the community to comment and shape. 20 years ago I think this battle was won by the biggest marketing budget on the block. Today, the masses and the smaller guys can get involved early and keep the marketing disinformation to a minimum.
By way of introduction, I’m a product manager at Ingres involved in managing our Appliance computing initiative with partners. We have what I think are some interesting and valuable solutions for customers and ISVs. This corner of the world is getting more interesting due to its early days, the growing number of vendors and customers adopting, and the value it provides. I hope to shed more light on what Ingres and the market are doing and why software appliances are here to stay.