As we enter 2012, our engineering team is hard at work on our new SQL Anywhere OnDemand Edition "Fuji" product that is currently planned for GA launch in the 1st half of this year. Everyone is involved, for example:
- Development is hard at work on the last set of features and capabilities, fixing software issues and bugs, testing performance and scalability
- QA is working closely with development to create and run a whole series of new test suites
- The Doc team is busy writing new books to describe how to use the new software
- Other folks are busy working out the details for a new cloud-friendly payment process
As you read through this list, you may recognize elements of your own engineering organization. Do we have other matters to deal with? Of course we do:
- Fixing customer issues (bugs)
- Enhancements to SQL Anywhere Server, MobiLink and UltraLite in preparation for its next major release, currently scheduled in early 2013 (more about that later this year)
Our team's goals this year are to continue consulting our customers to ensure we understand what problems are being faced so that we are in a better position to create innovative software to solve those problems. As I say this, I am reminded of a phrase I heard recently:
To understand how to make a product better, understand what job the product is being hired to perform. - Clayton Christensen as heard listening to his talk at the Business of Software 2011 conference
One of my personal goals each year is to interact with our customers, to better understand what "job" our products are being hired to perform.
As a personal note, I would like to thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to read my blog. Andrew Coyne, a columnist in one of the newspapers I read, recently posted this thought, which resonated with me:
Of necessity, then, the writer who wishes to be read must begin with an attitude of humility before the reader. Your parents told you nobody owes you a living? Nobody owes you the two minutes it takes to read your column.
As I start this new year of 2012, I hope to keep you informed about what our team is doing, how we do it, and most importantly, to try and provide you with information you can use in your own organization to make a difference.
On behalf of all of us on the SQL Anywhere team, I would like to wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year!
