The leading identity management newsletter in the universe

When you’re dining out, and you read on a restaurant’s menu that their rhubarb-encrusted tripe is world famous, have you ever wondered why you’ve never heard of it? It’s an example of marketing hyperbole, and I see many instances of this daily in the press releases that cross my desk from vendors related (however distantly) to identity management.

Invariably, in the first paragraph of a press release, is a clause full of superlatives in apposition to the name of the vendor. For example (not real, of course): “Identity Associates, the leading provider of biometric identity tools in south-central Delaware…”

The important thing is to be able to claim to be the biggest, the best, the most “something” in a particular area. It’s hoped that you’ll remember the superlative (“leading provider of biometric identity tools”) and not the rather niche market.

I collect these phrases that I call “superlablurbs” (e.g., superlative blurbs) to amuse myself. But one I saw the other day made me look twice. The news release stated that “…is proud to announce the latest release of what is believed the best Identity Management Software on the market…” Well, the release didn’t say WHO believed it.

Some companies are rather understated in their puffery, such as “Oblix, a leading developer of identity-based security solutions” – who could disagree with that? In another press release, though, this had changed to “Oblix, the leading developer of identity-based security solutions”, which a number of other vendors might have a quibble with.

Still, if the superlablurbs are even remotely true, you ought to be able to identify the company making the claim. Here follows 10 blurbs (1-10) and 10 company names (A-J). Match the company with the claim. All these companies have appeared in this newsletter (as well as others I pen for Network World) over the years. Answers are at the bottom of the newsletter. Have fun, but no wagering, please!

1) “A provider of identity management and messaging solutions.”

2) “A world leader in securing digital identities and information.”

3) “A leading provider of self-service identity management solutions.”

4) “A leading provider of identity and information assurance products for the government and commercial markets.”

5) “The global leader in access infrastructure solutions.”

6) “Leaders in the development of user management and provisioning solutions.”

7) “A leading provider and innovator of virtual directory solutions.”

8) “A leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management.”

9) “A leading provider of innovative platform integration solutions for Unix and Windows.”

10) “The market-leader in enterprise single sign-on (ESSO) technology.”

A) Abridean

B) Citrix Systems

C) Courion

D) Entrust

E) Fischer International

F) Novell

G) Passlogix

H) Radiant Logic

I) SSP-Litronic

J) Vintela

Answers:

(A – 6) “Abridean, leaders in the development of user management and provisioning solutions.”

(B – 5) “Citrix Systems, the global leader in access infrastructure solutions.”

(C – 3) “Courion, a leading provider of self-service identity management solutions.”

(D – 2) “Entrust, a world leader in securing digital identities and information.”

(E – 1) “Fischer International, a provider of identity management and messaging solutions.”

(F – 8) “Novell is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management.”

(G – 10) “Passlogix, the market-leader in enterprise single sign-on (ESSO) technology.”

(H – 7) “Radiant Logic, a leading provider and innovator of virtual directory solutions.”

(I – 4) “SSP-Litronic, a leading provider of identity and information assurance products for the government and commercial markets.”

(J – 9) “Vintela, a leading provider of innovative platform integration solutions for Unix and Windows.”