One of the most disappointing presentations at last week's Catalyst was by SAP. The presentation was so bad I got up and left the room. Instead of presenting a detailed, unified vision of identity management and security, the presenter was left speaking generalities, talking mostly about GRC and leaving one wondering if this was the best SAP could produce?
What was most embarrasing was that the next presentation by Oracle clearly spelled out the action plan they are taking. All aspects of identity management were covered. Areas where they felt they were weak were discussed and what actions they were taking to cover this.
My message to SAP is this. If you want to be a player in the identity and security markets, you need to have a comprehensive vision, a well laid out plan and personnel who can articulate it well. Your recent acquisition of Maxware is a good step, but only small step, in this direction.
For the last two years in a row, I have squirmed in my seat as the SAP presenters made their spiels. The presenters, while well intentioned, are clearly not well equipped to present a detailed plan that will convince your customers that you are going to be a major player in this space.
Watch out or Oracle may eat your lunch. Pull your collective socks up and by the next Burton Conference, have an excellent presentation, product selection suite and a well laid out action plan that addresses the market.
Guy
www.authenticationworld.com
guy.huntington@authenticationworld.com
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