Windows and Windows Live settings on a USB stick = StartKey. News about this development was originally posted on ZDNet and again on NetworkWorld. Considering, I’ve been posting my thoughts about SaaS related topics; I thought this little new maker might make a good discussion point. So with in this mind, let’s first review a couple of items:
- I would like to point out that the term “Windows Live” is used.
- This concept is not new to Microsoft as Microsoft Research first posted information about the project back in 2005: Link.
- I have been openly critical about Microsoft’s direction with their consumer facing Office Live solutions: Link
- Microsoft has been making inroads with their hosted solutions (Microsoft Online Services): Link
- Google is directly attacking Microsoft’s cash cow Office.
- Lastly, in the age of IT 2.0 (or whatever you want to call it). SaaS, outsourcing, managed services… and so on is fast becoming the defacto standard as to how IT is done.
***Disclaimer***
The conclusion that I’m about draw is purely based on my past experiences and the publicly announced movements that Microsoft is now making. I don’t have any secret knowledge of an inherit plan, goal, or roadmap. Rather, I spent a number of years working on these problems myself when SaaS was ASP, Cisco’s stock was at $80, and Ever-crack was all the rage. In other words, I’m just connecting the dots.
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When I do connect the dots, I get the funny feeling that the StartKey announcement is actually all part of a much larger plan. Granted, Microsoft seems like they have been darting in too many directions for the past couple of years. But, after milling this about, I think the following ordered list (I like lists or bullets) explains what I’m seeing:
- Microsoft is very aware of the threats posed by Google and of the open source communities.
- Unfortunately, Microsoft is also very addicted to their current way of doing business.
- So, in an attempt to both negate the noted threats and to move their business model to something that resembles that of a power company (remember software delivered as a service is the Holy Grail). Microsoft is attempting to put into place a hybrid SaaS model that supports both the old way of doing business and the new way of doing business.
Now, the million dollar question is where the StartKey announcement fits within their hybrid SaaS plan. Well, the answer is simple. StartKey is Microsoft answer to several problems:
- StartKey allows Microsoft to deliver Windows and related Windows applications in a format that allows portability. In other words, run your desired applications on any computing device while also accessing, using, and storing your data on a plethora of services that are within the Microsoft cloud.
- In addition, when you are not directly connected to the Microsoft cloud, the StartKey still allows you some level of functionality. In my opinion, this is the same problem that Google is trying to solve with their “Gears” beta.
- Lastly, the StartKey allows Microsoft to still push OS and application licenses for the time being. Rather, they are buying time while they attempt to redirect the massive hulk of company that they have become.
The conclusions that I have draw here may or may not be part of Microsoft’s plan to hold off Google’s rise. Instead, what I’m trying to point out is that the announcements we have been seeing from Microsoft these past couple of weeks are related. So, when connecting the dots, it seems to me that there are some interesting changes that are happening within the Microsoft realm.
BTW – Last Tuesday March 4th was a very sad day. Gary Gygax passed away; I didn’t post this in my last blog because I didn’t believe it. :
