[ebxml-mktg-sc] Gartner et al

[David RR Webber - XMLGlobal <Gnosis_@compuserve.com>]

Team,

I was talking today with someone who uses the Gartner services.

They are not the typical client - as they probably know alot
more than most analysts!

Consequently they ask much tougher questions.

Anyway the bottom line is that the realization is that 
Gartner is not looking to promote an open architecture
like ebXML, but rather their own architecture, and
consulting services driven off that to their clients!

This of course raises a different set of issues to 
what we had originally foreseen in engaging with Gartner.

The other realization is that Gartner does not understand
what the ebXML stack delivers.  And aligned with this is
the fact that they have vendor clients who want to sell
technology as solutions.

In the big picture of making better integration and 
interoperability thru improved methodology and 
paradigm - we see that this message is only 
sporadically penetrating.   

A classic example is W3C XSD Schema - here 
is technology being positioned as the integration 
solution.  It is not.  It was never designed for 
this role, and it has serious and numerous 
shortcomings.  Its OK for what it is designed 
for - describing the possible
permutations that can occur for given XML structure.

The ebXML assembly approach solves the pieces
of the puzzle that XSD cannot deliver, and provides
the means to expand above and beyond where XSD
leaves off.  Yes - we do have materials that document
this - and we need to get those out there.

How many Gartner analysts understand that today?
Or any other analysts for that matter!?

This situation I would now elevate to RED CRITICAL
status.

I believe we need to urgently move on our work to
reach out to analysts.  

Can we have this as a focus for next two weeks?

Action items.

1) PPT materials that show the rationale and approach
     behind the ebXML architecture.

2) Draw up list of analysts we can reach thru our
     combined contracts and contacts.

3) Draw up schedule and "roadshow" to present
     to them over next month.

4) Build our team and team calendar of who is
     available.

5) Look at upcoming conference schedule so we
     can combine this with analyst sessions at shows.

Any other thoughts here on ways to approach this
and get this job done?

On the bright side - Gartner was quoted in the
sessions as saying that "ebXML appears to be
gathering momentum", but did not say more than
that - such as what ebXML delivers etc.

Thanks, DW.