A Mini Y2K

IT and the media fret over the early onset of Daylight Savings Time; plus, Dave Dewalt defects, Gates testifies to improve U.S. competitiveness, Oracle modifies its pricing, Ingres goes to India and more software news of the week.

Anytime the mainstream media pays attention to a technology glitch, hysteria usually ensues. Luckily, the press only found out about the potential problems that may result from this weekend's early switch to Daylight Savings Time a few weeks ago (instead of a few years, as happened with the Y2K problem.)

Because the switch to DST will be three week's earlier than usual, the worry is that desktop clocks and calendars will be incorrect, and more significantly, that mission critical applications could fail.

Last Chance for Innovation Showcase Nominations!

The Innovation Showcase at Software 2007 is looking for companies who want to share their unique value proposition with the software business elite. The presenters will take the stage at Software 2007, May 8 and 9 in Santa Clara, Calif. Click here to find out more and nominate your company for inclusion - applications must be received by March 9!

SANDHILL.COM BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:

Consolidation: The New Mediocrity

While Oracle's latest acquisition of Hyperion continues to cement the idea that there is nothing to stop the onslaught of consolidation, I am wondering if the software industry is sewing the seeds of its own destruction and value through such actions.

Conventional wisdom states that there are all kinds of good reasons for consolidation: a broader portfolio offering for buyers, single point of responsibility (e.g. one throat to choke), seller operational efficiencies, reduction of redundant offerings, etc. And clearly there can be benefits for acquisitions that are seen as highly synergistic and complementary, such as EMC's acquisition of VMWare.

But counterbalancing these benefits is one big shortcoming: less and less innovation. As enterprise software companies get larger by definition they sell more and more common goods. And the bigger they get, the less innovative become the wares they ultimately have to sell. The reasons for this are simple.

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