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Kevin Kohut
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The Neutral Zone |
| When it comes to single-source vs. best-of-breed debates, the most professional choice may be not to take sides. |
| by Kevin Kohut |
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7/9/2003 -- I was talking to a potential client some time ago. The CTO shared with me details about his company's network, the applications they were running, what kind of Internet connection they had -- you know, typical IT banter. He told me about his Windows 2000 servers. He spoke fondly of his SQL Server cluster. He bragged about his Active Directory implementation. He gave me a tour of his company's intranet, running on IIS.
As much as I was enjoying this IT tour, I wanted to get back to how we might be of service to his company. So I asked him if everything was working as it should. He mentioned that some of his users were having problems with e-mail. As he was describing the issues they were facing I thought about how I could help him. He finished his rant, and I enthusiastically responded by telling him how we were experts in Exchange, and that we knew exactly how to address his particular problem.
"That's great," he said, "but we use Lotus Notes!"
I just assumed that his company was an across-the-board Microsoft shop. I mean, who implements Active Directory, SQL Server, IIS, ISA -- and then goes with Notes for e-mail?
I was aghast. I was also out the door. That CTO thanked me for my time, then kindly escorted me out.
While this story may be a bit exaggerated, it does underscore an issue that many IT departments are facing these days: single-source versus best-of-breed solutions.
The single-source advocates will tell you how great it is to have one company on the hook for ensuring that everything works. If your SQL Server isn't integrating into Active Directory properly, Microsoft (specifically the SQL Server group) can't very well blame Microsoft (the Active Directory group) for the problem. Single-source supporters will also extol the virtues of integrated code bases, consistent look and feel and unified technical support.
Best-of-breed proponents, on the other hand, speak of business processes, and how they are better addressed by specific solutions. Just because a company's line of business application requires SQL Server, they'll argue, doesn't mean that the company's e-mail needs are best met by Exchange. Best-of-breeders also like the idea of not putting all your eggs in one basket.
What does this mean for IT professionals? Do we need to choose which side of the fence we're on? If so, which tack is better? Well, the pundits that offer their advice to senior management types (in magazines like CFO, CIO and Network Computing) can't seem to agree on this issue, so I doubt we techies can do any better.
But that doesn't really matter. Because as IT pros, we already know that we should be focusing on how to make various technologies work in a given business environment. So let's continue to put forth the effort to know the technology needs of our clients, and let the pundits and C-level executives hash out which approach to take. 
Questions? Comments? Post your thoughts on this topic below!
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Kevin Kohut has been involved with information technology in some form or another for over 18 years, and has a strong business management background as well. As a computer consultant Kevin has helped both small businesses and large corporations realize the benefits of applying technology to their business needs.
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More articles by Kevin Kohut:
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There are 28  user Comments for “The Neutral Zone”
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Page 1 of 3
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| 7/9/03: Moe Munee says: |
Yes! A *new* story! Finally! |
| 7/9/03: Anonymous says: |
"Faux pau" like the one Kevin made with his assumption about the "all Microsoft shop" are quite common in sales engineers and consultants that I know. Anytime spent reading study guides for CCDA, CCDP, not the MS stuff, will reveal the level of detail that needs to be researched, documented, inquired about when working with prospective and even current clients. I guess this article goes to show that even experienced individuals make ordinary mistakes and mistaken assumptions. So the best lesson I can take from this article is to always keep an open mind and always ask questions about things. Perhaps I will even work from a checklist of sorts. |
| 7/10/03: Anonymous says: |
Who asked you? |
| 7/10/03: Anonymous says: |
Here's the problem with people studying for "unique" Microsoft tests; it's just another single-vendor focus. I realize Microsoft is the big dog now, has been for a few years, and may be for some time. However, a lot of the unemployed IT guys are those who only dealt with Microsoft administration and that's it. I find this to be rather amusing because Microsoft knew this would happen all along. Do you really believe their programmers are there to help you advance in your career by learning the products they thought up? If you want to be a true IT guy, you really need to focus on it all. First, get a degree; preferably a business degree so you understand what business is all about and not just what the IT realm consists of. Then, get the basics with CompTia (NetworkPlus, ServerPlus, SecurityPlus, IT ProjectPlus--APlus too, but only if you're brand knew to this whole IT realm) and get the full range of base knowledge you need to work in a full IT shop. Then, with a thorough baseline behind you, focus on CISCO, SUN, and Microsoft certifications. I have yet to see anyone in the IT field lose their job with this type of overall background. If your sole focus in life is getting every Microsoft cert there is, without the basics, then you're obsolete as soon as the next version comes out. I saw this happen to many NT 4 gurus when Windows 2000 came out and the company no longer had a need for those only certified with an MCP or NT 4 MCSE. Amazingly, those with the basics and the degree, stayed on; the majority of which hadn't completed their MCSEs and had no intentions of doing so. And now Microsoft, who's products are so full of holes that you're almost afraid to open e-mail sometimes, wants to focus on security. Come on, give me a break. They've known about the holes in their structure for many years, but the project management focus is to get the project out as soon as the window of opportunity is there. With Linux architects pushing hard to get products into the PC arena, do you really think Microsoft is going to focus their time on quality management? No, because they can't afford to and quite frankly, don't have to. So, keep getting your MCSEs from here to eternity. As long as you don't get an MBA and overall certs, I will stayed employed forever. Just food for thought. |
| 7/10/03: Anonymous says: |
I saw this posting already on another posting...good points though. Focusing on all IT skills and getting that MBA would certainly help in this situation. If you only focus on one vendor and don't keep your eyes open to the big picture, you will become useless at some point. |
| 7/10/03: Anonymous says: |
True, an MBA with IT ProjectPlus or PNP would certainly help in the above situation. |
| 7/11/03: you either get it or you don't says: |
Here's something funny, I've been able to fake it in this career forever. You don't really need to know all that stuff above to stay employed. What does management want, what does your boss do when he's not at work, what paper certs can I get and then forget the information the next day. Listen you little geeks, there is a life outside your little box. My friend showed me this site and I'd figure I'd reply. All you sniveling little maggots who whine about your jobs going overseas should try leaving your desk once and a while. If you realize what's going on in the mind of management, you'll stay ahead of the curve. Here's the trick, never admit that you don't know something. Then, after they leave you alone for a minute, study exactly what it is they want and get back to them. You don't have to waste your time learning and memorizing all this shit unless it's "critical time" and you have to serve up brownie points. I love my life, I make tons of cash, never knew half the stuff that most IT "gurus" I worked with forgot, but they lost their jobs and I took more money home. Get a clue, if you can't socialize then you'll never stay employed for long. Like it, love it, embrace it...but's it's all a game you've played since you were a kid. Peace:) |
| 7/11/03: Anonymous says: |
This is the most accurate post I have ever read! |
| 7/15/03: Anonymous says: |
what's with all this cross-posting? |
| 9/12/03: Anonymous says: |
exactly how long will this article be on the front page? |
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