For some reason the IIUG Insider no longer gets posted to c.d.i. Also, the
Insider itself is not what it used to be, comprised largely these days of
adverts for Advanced Data Tools, or snippets of general IBM messaging such
as IoD or "Why you should renew Software Maintenance".

But the editorials still often give it to you straight! Have a look at this
one, from today's Insider:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++

At The last IIUG conference in Kansas a new plan for Informix Revitalization
was presented by IBM management. It was based on the following four
imperatives:

Delight the install base: Enhance the Informix client relationship and
improve client loyalty.

Build Strategic Differentiation: Fix the messaging and enhance the overall
Informix value proposition to the market.

Create Proactive Sales Culture: Develop a proactive, high-touch culture,
with expansion into growth areas (embedded, etc).

Build New, Profitable Revenue Streams: Build new revenue streams that
capitalize on the strong and growing footprint of Informix.

The 100 day grace period has passed nearly a month ago and it is about time
to check what has been accomplished. I decided to ask my old friend and
colleague, Gibi. Gibi has always been an optimist and a fanatic Informix
fan. He always encouraged me when I had doubts or bad feelings about
Informix. This time when we talked he had a very long face. "What are your
feelings about IBM's plan to revitalize Informix?" I asked. "Let's look at
those imperatives one by one" answered Gibi.

"The Install base is anything but delighted. In the Informix Zone Survey
(http://www.iiug.org/url/informix_zone_survey.html) our membership gives a
clear answer.

On the question: What is your opinion about IBM's renewed strategy around
Informix?

* 39% said: I don't trust IBM as they've disappointed me too often
regarding their Informix strategy.
* 50% said: I'll remain skeptical until we see some real actions that
substantiate the new Informix strategy.
* Only 11% said: I trust IBM and believe that they will "roll out" the
new Informix strategy seriously.

Why are we feeling that way? The answer is very clear. IBM is ignoring its
loyal install base.

You are the Insider editor, how does it look from your point of view?"

As the Insider editor it is crystal clear. There is no communication with
IBM Informix Marketing - not even to promote the IOD conference.

"You see!" cried Gibi, "And it is not just the Insider. Informix in the news
does not exist. DB2 is all over the place with benchmarks, press releases,
articles in Data Management magazine. DB2 is positioned as the alternative
to Oracle. Looking at technical reviews comparing the two products:

'IBM DB2 Universal DataBase (DB2 UDB) provides rudimentary functionality for
both high availability and data protection, and is multiple releases behind
Oracle in terms of the breadth and depth of HA functionality.'

It is easy to understand why Larry Ellison is not worried. The
differentiation between DB2 and Informix is the difference between
everything and zero.

Let's move to the third imperative. The IBM sales force knows and sells DB2.
The internal sales trainings are focused on DB2. Informix is hardly
mentioned."

"I don't know that," I told Gibi, "I do not attend internal sales training."
"Well maybe you should." said Gibi, "In any case this is not a secret. The
forth imperative relies on the first three so it has no chance either." Gibi
gave a deep sigh. "What do you think?" he asked.

I did not know what to say.

Do you? If so please respond to this editorial.

Sigh,
Where to begin?

I'm sorry but you act as if this was a shock. It was routinely predictable.IBM wrote their own fate years ago.

Sorry, but the only way to change things is to bring someone in from the outside and give them the authority to clean things up.
Someone who can pull off a Charlie Ills persona.

Trust once broken is not easily won back.
Give the benefit of the doubt once. Twice, you're the idiot not IBM.

Sorry but how can I not sound negative?

The only positive thing I've seen about Informix is that Hewitt and Assoc is looking for a DBA... Besides mentioning DB2, they also mentioned XPS.

But hey! What do I know?
Its not like I had an IBM serial number and sat through all of those 'all hands sales education calls'... oh wait I did.
Its not like I worked with a bunch of SSRs SAMs, and product reps in a give set of territories... oh wait I did.
Its not like I routinely sat in on BUE weekly forecast calls looking at theindividual reps pipe lines and saw the numbers... oh wait I did.
Its not like I had face time with customer's C level execs, along with their IT/IS departments ... oh wait I did.

Oh yeah, so maybe I really do know what I talk about? ;-)
(Definitely more than I care to talk about....)

-G