The progression of a component of our global infrastructure from a closed architecture to that of an open architecture is linear. First, one large vendor, then two, three, four. From that point, if the procurement expression from the Fortune 500 enterprise begins to fracture to multiple vendors then synergy is created in the marketplace to create forums to develop standards, which then allow open architecture values to flow globally.

An example of this is with Hard Drives. First there was one large vendor, then more. The procurement expression from the Fortune 500 to the PC OEMs began to fracture to multiple hard drive manufacturers. The PC manufacturers jumped at this to create the first forums that created ISA, and later EISA standards.

What happens when the procurement language does not fracture to multiple suppliers is the situation that we see today in the microprocessor market.

From earlier with the TCO model we understand why this is done.

Can we do it differently and garner value for our enterprise and the global infrastructure ?