re: Procket CEO ResignsEvery MIS dweeb in the world knows Cisco CLI and has a Cisco diploma to prove it. The cost of the router pales in comparison to the cost of training everyone on another mouse trap. Cisco is 'good enough' that it's not going to see much erosion. ================= Nearly everyone figured that particular problem out and in most cases (including procket), they picked a CLI strategy to minimize or eliminate that particular problem. In many places, juniper's presence made the problem much less because it forced many people to accept more than one CLI.
While what you are saying is true in the enterprise, there are other places where cisco is hated by its own customers because of rotten service, rotten quality and an unwillingness to pay attention to customer needs.
They don't win much anymore because they are "good enough", they only win because they have a mountain of cash and the ability to cut deals for "other considerations" than the equipment.
re: Procket CEO Resignsskeptic writes: While what you are saying is true in the enterprise, there are other places where cisco is hated by its own customers because of rotten service, rotten quality and an unwillingness to pay attention to customer needs.
True enough. In my experience, the hatred is more about hidden costs than anything else. It's like buying a car and having the salesman say, "Oh! You didn't say you wanted wheels and an engine."
re: Procket CEO ResignsSorry for the double post. Mispelled weighin'. Here goes.
I can't resist a couple of comments. Here are a couple of lessons from Procket.
1) Don't hire insecure, one dimensional CEOs. Randall is insecure and all he ever did was sell. So you have a guy who's antsy, type A and dyin' to sell something, but 2 years away from product. Chain smoker--dead giveaway--game over--nuff said.
2) When the guy is spending lots of money every month and tells you it's all on R&D, it may be worth a look that he's actually traveling first class EVERYWHERE (Tokyo is, well, about $6K per seat from SFO). That's a signal that may warrant a follow up into where else the fat can be trimmed.
3) Alcatel should have happened for Procket. The Ali/Fraser poster said it all. I think it didn't happen because Alcatel was thinking "this guy's a nut. Basil's more sane and he doesn't have all the baggage. Oh, and it helps that the market really doesn't want another core router. The market wants a services oriented edge box, if anything. Let's do business with Basil." Who knows, maybe it will still happen. Nortel's a better partner anyway, so screw Alcatel. They're bottom feeders. So we'll let this one go.
4) Ah, the Tony factor. He's a smart guy but he loves to make trouble, too. What else do you do when you have $100 million in the bank? Is he still on the Board? Timetra didn't have a Tony and they didn't have $300 million to play with either and guess what? Pretty damn good results. In a year the market will do a case study comparing these two companies because I think Timetra's box is going to sell quite well. So never give a brilliant engineer with a vendetta against two public company incumbents a lot of money and a lot of power. It's f_ckin suicide. Is the 2X4 in a museum yet?
5) Sharad, you were right. You were pretty emotional yourself, but you were right. Oh well, I guess you can be right AND happy. Good luck, dude.
re: Procket CEO ResignsI can't resist a couple of comments. Here are a couple of lessons from Procket.
1) Don't hire insecure, one dimensional CEOs. Randall is insecure and all he ever did was sell. So you have a guy who's antsy, type A and dyin' to sell something, but 2 years away from product. Chain smoker--dead giveaway--game over--nuff said.
2) When the guy is spending lots of money every month and tells you it's all on R&D, it may be worth a look that he's actually traveling first class EVERYWHERE (Tokyo is, well, about $6K per seat from SFO). That's a signal that may warrant a follow up into where else the fat can be trimmed.
3) Alcatel should have happened for Procket. The Ali/Fraser poster said it all. I think it didn't happen because Alcatel was thinking "this guy's a nut. Basil's more sane and he doesn't have all the baggage. Oh, and it helps that the market really doesn't want another core router. The market wants a services oriented edge box, if anything. Let's do business with Basil." Who knows, maybe it will still happen. Nortel's a better partner anyway, so screw Alcatel. They're bottom feeders. So we'll let this one go.
4) Ah, the Tony factor. He's a smart guy but he loves to make trouble, too. What else do you do when you have $100 million in the bank? Is he still on the Board? Timetra didn't have a Tony and they didn't have $300 million to play with either and guess what? Pretty damn good results. In a year the market will do a case study comparing these two companies because I think Timetra's box is going to sell quite well. So never give a brilliant engineer with a vendetta against two public company incumbents a lot of money and a lot of power. It's f_ckin suicide. Is the 2X4 in a museum yet?
5) Sharad, you were right. You were pretty emotional yourself, but you were right. Oh well, I guess you can be right AND happy. Good luck, dude.
3) Alcatel should have happened for Procket. The Ali/Fraser poster said it all. I think it didn't happen because Alcatel was thinking "this guy's a nut. Basil's more sane and he doesn't have all the baggage. ----------------- I can tell you with almost certainty that nobody has ever thought of basil as "more sane". Not even alcatel. Trust and basil are also not words that go well together.
The bigger issue for alcatel would probably be costs and internal political issues with admitting the failure of certain projects (and people).
Now that Basil's gear is out on the open, I'm not impressed. I mean it plugs a hole in alcatel's product line (something is better than nothing), but its a "so what" product fighting for air in a crowded part of the market.
They can all pat themselves on the back right now, but most deals involving alcatel usually end badly. ----------------- 1) Don't hire insecure, one dimensional CEOs. Randall is insecure and all he ever did was sell. So you have a guy who's antsy, type A and dyin' to sell something, but 2 years away from product. Chain smoker--dead giveaway--game over--nuff said. ----------------- I hate to say it, but thats the only kind of CEO that can make procket successful. They need to sell like crazy or they are dead.
What procket is likely to get now is someone who is "weak" leading to committee rule and a company where its impossible to decide anything.
Randall's departure also sends a signal to candidates for the job that their authority is going to be questioned (or ignored) from day one.
re: Procket CEO Resigns> Now that Basil's gear is out on the open, > I'm not impressed.
What it lacks a cupholder? Sorry. Seriously though, what would be the box that would impress you? Just curious. --------------------- Something that offered a value proposition to potential customers. Something that didn't look like a thrown-together "me too" product.
There just isn't much looking at the product that it does better than other choices. And I have a suspicion that lots of corners were cut in order given their budget and who was running the show.
The thing they had going for them is that basil is one of the best con-men in the industry.
re: Procket CEO Resigns> Something that offered a value proposition > potential customers. Something that didn't > look like a thrown-together "me too" product.
Well I wouldn't go that far, but why do you think that? Why do you think it looks like a thrown-together "me-too" box? How, in your opinion, does it stack up to ciscos, junispheres, laurels, riverstones, prockets (just to be on topic here) etc.? Do they have comparable features? Vaue proposition?
Please, let's keep Basil's character out of it. Looks like you feel pretty strongly about this though.. I don't know him, so it's tough for me to agree or disagree with you.
re: Procket CEO ResignsIf a government can dethrone a foreign leader and take over his country, why can't VC dehtrone any CEO and take over their portfolio company?
If a government can install a new CEO who is not from that occupied country to govern it, what's wrong VC install some one who is not from that trade?
If a government can burn tax money, why can't VC burn their partner's money? What's wrong with CEO flying first class for business? How about flying a private jet for fundraising to keep CEO's job for another term?
re: Procket CEO ResignsAh, and I thought it was just another Monday as a RifGÇÖd Procket employee looking for a job on the job boards. But alas, a sign of light as I venture over to Lightreading before I begin begging for a job. What, could it be? Randall the Terrible is gone. Oh Happiness fills my heart. There is hope, light, dare I say, a miracle has occurred?
Randall Kruep was a menace to Procket the day he walked in. I will be placing various phone calls today to find out the status at Procket post Kruep, but I can only say that even if they put a monkey in his job, the monkey is probably more stable than he was, a better listener and has higher morals.
Good riddance. Welcome to the unemployment line. Although IGÇÖm sure you wonGÇÖt have to stand in it with us, itGÇÖs good to know that you got what you dished out.
Note to Procket. IGÇÖd like to come back now. Disregard my GÇ£when hell freezes overGÇ¥ parting comments. The devil has left the building.
=================
Nearly everyone figured that particular problem
out and in most cases (including procket), they
picked a CLI strategy to minimize or eliminate
that particular problem. In many places,
juniper's presence made the problem much less
because it forced many people to accept more
than one CLI.
While what you are saying is true in the
enterprise, there are other places where
cisco is hated by its own customers because
of rotten service, rotten quality and an
unwillingness to pay attention to customer
needs.
They don't win much anymore because they are
"good enough", they only win because they have
a mountain of cash and the ability to cut
deals for "other considerations" than the
equipment.