I need to rant about this so
please be aware that this is my own view and not my employer's (i.e.
Microsoft).
Two weeks ago I
signed up to attend a
Sonic Software Architect's Forum
in
London. I often attend public events put on by competitors just as they attend
events put on by Microsoft and my team. This is common practice in the
industry. In fact we've even had folks from Oracle present at Microsoft
events, e.g. TechEd Europe! And at the recent PDC we had Google participate in
one of our architecture panel sessions. In public we foster open and honest
communication and show respect for our competitors. In private, it's no
secret, we're a tough competitor. Fair's fair.
However, last
week I was 'phoned up by a Sonic Software representative and told I was not
welcome at their public event? I was being de-registered immediately. What a
shock; it was the first time this has happened to me and it got me thinking
about why Sonic was doing this.
It's not as if I
can’t find out about their ESB/SOA vision and technology from other sources,
including their own customers. It's not as if Sonic Software (particularly
Dave Chappell, their CTO and main speaker) is going to say anything
earth-shattering about ESB/SOA in a public forum.
Is it that Sonic
Software (and perhaps Dave Chappell himself) is going to say something about
Microsoft and our strategy that they don’t want me to hear? Are they
embarrassed I might challenge them or kick up a stink? Not likely in a public
forum!
In the spirit of
open and honest communication, if Sonic is positively discriminating against
Microsoft (and possibly other companies too) in their public events, then they
should say so at the time of registration instead of wasting our time and
energy planning to attend their events.
And finally,
Sonic employee, next time you attend one of Microsoft's public events - and
you're very welcome to do so - please stop to think how you've been treating
us, and me specifically, with blatant discrimination.
Per
evitare confusioni, il David Chappel che vedete citato non è lo stesso che fa lo
speaker al TechEd e ad altri eventi (Microsoft e di altri). Sono omonimi...