The Curse of Simple - Why Less Isn't More in the Enterprise

The Curse of SimpleWhy Less Isn't

More in the Enterprise

Central Desktop, Inc.Arnulf Hsu, CTOahsu@centraldesktop.com

Less is More or Better Right?

Simple -> Sophisticated

Email

Relational Database, Custom Fields

Spreadsheet

Workflow, Permissions,Auditing

Database

Less People More People

Complex shouldn’t mean

Hard to Use

Complex shouldn’t mean

Crapware

Even Some Consumer Apps are Complex

Business or Enterprise Apps even more so

• Discussions• Forums• Blogs• Web Meetings• Conference Calls

• User Profiles• Tags• Presence• Status

• Wikis• Workflow• Projects• Calendars

• Documents• Spreadsheets• Databases• Search

Conversations Connections

CollaborationContent

Collaboration Software is made up of many components

People

Out of the box• Usually a Software product Out of the Box

will/should do 60-80% of what you want. That part is usually “simple”.

• But can you bridge the gap? • This is the difference between long term

adoption and attrition.

All Companies are different

• Companies are different across:• Industries• Departments• Use Case Models

• Yes, there are themes, but all companies work slightly differently.

The other 30%?is Generally “Complex”

• Identity Management (LDAP/AD)

• Extend System Objects

• Create Custom Objects

• Flexible / Manageable Permissioning System

• Workflow / Triggers

• Audit Logs / Compliance

• Deep API Support

All Companies are different

• Can your Business software support the nuances that each business has or goes through?

• Can you handle Exceptions?• How repeatable is the process or

environment? You have templates right?

Services are Good• Microsoft Ecosystem has a 1:7 ratio of

“product” vs “services” revenue.• Salesforce.com has built a vibrant

ecosystem of partners and VARs around its Platform.

Good “Enterprise” Apps• Simple & Elegant for the “End User”• Flexible and Customizable for the Power

User and Administrator.• Should NOT require IT personnel to do most

of the Administration.• Meet the compliance and regulatory

requirements set by the Industry or Organization.

Thank you

Arnulf Hsu

CTO, Central Desktop, Inc.

626-689-4420

ahsu@centraldesktop.com