Comments on: Find the Missing Software http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/ "A picture is only worth a thousand words. A map may be worth a thousand numbers. But a GIS is worth a thousand tables." Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:43:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Martin http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2726 Martin Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:47:39 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2726 I know this is an old post, but everything written is still relevant today! I used Geomedia in college but now work with ArcInfo and have an ArcEditor license for some consulting I do on the side. That license is expensive, and I wanted to see what Intergraph has to offer now. All I can find are one-paragraph descriptions of the products, and no feature lists or screenshots. Terrible marketing. I know this is an old post, but everything written is still relevant today! I used Geomedia in college but now work with ArcInfo and have an ArcEditor license for some consulting I do on the side. That license is expensive, and I wanted to see what Intergraph has to offer now. All I can find are one-paragraph descriptions of the products, and no feature lists or screenshots. Terrible marketing.

]]> By: Martha http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2144 Martha Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:09:11 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2144 a new product specific section has been added not too long ago - if you search geoMedia on the top search banner, you get more links now http://www.intergraph.com/sgi/products/ a new product specific section has been added not too long ago – if you search geoMedia on the top search banner, you get more links now http://www.intergraph.com/sgi/products/

]]> By: Graeme Browning http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2102 Graeme Browning Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:02:32 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2102 I encountered the same frustration again today when looking for product information on Intelliwhere so blogged abouit it at PolyGeo - hope it helps the cause... I encountered the same frustration again today when looking for product information on Intelliwhere so blogged abouit it at PolyGeo – hope it helps the cause…

]]> By: Jeff Hobbs http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2026 Jeff Hobbs Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:26:33 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2026 This turned out to be a rather big issue at the Intergraph conference. Although there are mixed thoughts about this at the Intergraph level, I was talking to David Holmes today at the Intergraph Customer Feedback forum and he said that they would begin exposing some of the "sales" type of information/literature to the public (folks without a login/password) again very soon (as in this month). Although Intergraph still very strongly believes that they're providing some "value" to the customers by placing minor releases and other types of information behind a login and password. I guess the theory is that maintenance-paying customers are getting a value from having minor releases/patches put behind a login and password. That way we can be assured that folks that aren't paying maintenance are able to get this login and password. I'm actually probably going to have a seperate blog entry on this as I really think the thought process is rather flawed. This turned out to be a rather big issue at the Intergraph conference. Although there are mixed thoughts about this at the Intergraph level, I was talking to David Holmes today at the Intergraph Customer Feedback forum and he said that they would begin exposing some of the “sales” type of information/literature to the public (folks without a login/password) again very soon (as in this month). Although Intergraph still very strongly believes that they’re providing some “value” to the customers by placing minor releases and other types of information behind a login and password. I guess the theory is that maintenance-paying customers are getting a value from having minor releases/patches put behind a login and password. That way we can be assured that folks that aren’t paying maintenance are able to get this login and password. I’m actually probably going to have a seperate blog entry on this as I really think the thought process is rather flawed.

]]> By: Graeme http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2023 Graeme Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:37:36 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-2023 I too have looked for GeoMedia product information in order to determine whether it offers me, and the clients to whom I make technology recommendations, any advantage. I find it hard to believe that it is not readily available. Fortunately, there are many other commercial and open source offerings which I can easily research on the web. I too have looked for GeoMedia product information in order to determine whether it offers me, and the clients to whom I make technology recommendations, any advantage. I find it hard to believe that it is not readily available. Fortunately, there are many other commercial and open source offerings which I can easily research on the web.

]]> By: Garth http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1984 Garth Thu, 15 May 2008 14:03:17 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1984 Jeff, You've got to have an "e-service" login to get anything... I think their marketing strategy is changing. Not sure what direction, but everything is starting to get hidden behind locked doors.... For instance, I have customers that I have to support that need new e-service loggin accounts just to get hot fixes for their current GMP lics. That's only changed in the last couple of months too. Not sure what's going on with that unless they're suddenly worried about non-Intergraph customers getting this information for some alterior purpose. Unofficially (I seriously dont know for sure) I think the prodcut spects for GMP are 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, but I've used it on a 2GHz Processor and .5GB RAM machine (a bit slowly), and I recomend a Duel Core 2GHz processor and 2GB RAM machine (my current configuration). You can always use more RAM as the program is a memory hog, but with the 2GB, I've never run out. Jeff,
You’ve got to have an “e-service” login to get anything… I think their marketing strategy is changing. Not sure what direction, but everything is starting to get hidden behind locked doors….

For instance, I have customers that I have to support that need new e-service loggin accounts just to get hot fixes for their current GMP lics. That’s only changed in the last couple of months too. Not sure what’s going on with that unless they’re suddenly worried about non-Intergraph customers getting this information for some alterior purpose.

Unofficially (I seriously dont know for sure) I think the prodcut spects for GMP are 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, but I’ve used it on a 2GHz Processor and .5GB RAM machine (a bit slowly), and I recomend a Duel Core 2GHz processor and 2GB RAM machine (my current configuration). You can always use more RAM as the program is a memory hog, but with the 2GB, I’ve never run out.

]]> By: Stefan http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1973 Stefan Fri, 09 May 2008 07:13:17 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1973 Hei Jeff, no infos from Integraph yet. I will tell you when I get them. However, it could be that my sending address is also not that much attractive to them (as I use my university account) Btw.: I browsed yesterday the German Intergraph page. While I have been first "excited" finding some info to every software product (in German), a minute later I was disappointed about the infos in the PDFs. No details inside - just how good the software is; in general. Not that it believe it is not (at least I hope so, as the University of Zurich just replaced in the GIS I course ArcView by Geomedia after an evaluation)... but I my expectations... stefan Hei Jeff,

no infos from Integraph yet. I will tell you when I get them. However, it could be that my sending address is also not that much attractive to them (as I use my university account)

Btw.: I browsed yesterday the German Intergraph page. While I have been first “excited” finding some info to every software product (in German), a minute later I was disappointed about the infos in the PDFs. No details inside – just how good the software is; in general. Not that it believe it is not (at least I hope so, as the University of Zurich just replaced in the GIS I course ArcView by Geomedia after an evaluation)… but I my expectations…

stefan

]]> By: Jeff Hobbs http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1966 Jeff Hobbs Fri, 09 May 2008 03:04:46 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1966 Stefan, Interesting..didn't know James read my blog.... Did you hear back from Intergraph support? I still really want to find those specs as well. All in all, the Intergraph site has never been that strong...but I just can't understand why they make it so hard.... Stefan,

Interesting..didn’t know James read my blog…. Did you hear back from Intergraph support? I still really want to find those specs as well.

All in all, the Intergraph site has never been that strong…but I just can’t understand why they make it so hard….

]]> By: Zym http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1963 Zym Wed, 07 May 2008 20:37:23 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1963 Dear Stefan from Germany, I have to adjust your claim that Geomedia in Europe has about the same market share as ESRI! At least for Belgium, this is definitively not true. 95% of the governmental institutions use ESRI... The reason is not clear, but my personal oppinion: - most students at universities were trained with ESRI products, and when these students have to decide on buying software, they will most often select what they've experience with. The reason of this high rate of ESRI usage at universities is (was ?) probably the flexibility of the old ESRI product and it's ease to script, ideal for research purposes. - once some key institutions use a product, institutions that depend on them often take the easiest decision of using the same product. - Intergraph has a problem with marketing, especially towards the potential GeoMedia users group. Dear Stefan from Germany,

I have to adjust your claim that Geomedia in Europe has about the same market share as ESRI! At least for Belgium, this is definitively not true. 95% of the governmental institutions use ESRI… The reason is not clear, but my personal oppinion:

- most students at universities were trained with ESRI products, and when these students have to decide on buying software, they will most often select what they’ve experience with. The reason of this high rate of ESRI usage at universities is (was ?) probably the flexibility of the old ESRI product and it’s ease to script, ideal for research purposes.
- once some key institutions use a product, institutions that depend on them often take the easiest decision of using the same product.
- Intergraph has a problem with marketing, especially towards the potential GeoMedia users group.

]]> By: stefan http://jeffhobbs.net/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1961 stefan Wed, 07 May 2008 18:37:26 +0000 http://jeffhobbs.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/find-the-missing-software/#comment-1961 Hei, just yesterday I discovered the same issue when I wanted to inform myself about the Features of Geomedia (and to show it to a colleague). I wrote also an email to Intergraph on that issue and cc'ed James Fee, he told me about this blog entry :) I attach the email below, that I send to sgisupport/@/intergraph.com ..the only email address I could find immediately. Interestingly.. I should note, that on German Intergraph Website (intergraph.de) I had no problem to find in a drop down box on the first page a link to Geomedia. I guess this is the reason while Geomedia in Europe has about the same market share as ESRI! <cite> Dear Support, Today I wanted to get information about Geomedia Professional. When I googled for "Geomedia GIS" the first link was this: http://www.geomedia6.com/ The page required me to login... but what for? If I only wnat to know the products specs? Why should I apply for a login if I am not a customer yet? Furthermore If I go the Intergaph homepage I stuck again. I simply don't know what I should look for. Do I need "Enterprise Engineering Software"? or "Geospatially Powered Solutions"? .. maybe both... What do this marketing terms mean? Now, clicking on the Geospatial link leads me to a new page that does not help that much. Because I simply like to see a button/link that leads me to the Offered Software, in particular GIS Software. I really ask myself how much did Intergraph pay for that web design? And If there was any usability study involved and not only marketing guys? It seems like you focus exclusively on future customers that have not your software yet (i.e. don't know exactly what they search for) and try to achieve this with as many clicks as possible. Btw.: Now, you may wonder why I write to the support? Because it is the only (GIS) email address I found to address my problem. Ohh.. yes finally my support request: Where can I find product specifications for Geomedia Professional on your Webpage? best wishes (really) Stefan Steiniger </cite> Hei,

just yesterday I discovered the same issue when I wanted to inform myself about the Features of Geomedia (and to show it to a colleague). I wrote also an email to Intergraph on that issue and cc’ed James Fee, he told me about this blog entry :)

I attach the email below, that I send to sgisupport/@/intergraph.com ..the only email address I could find immediately.

Interestingly.. I should note, that on German Intergraph Website (intergraph.de) I had no problem to find in a drop down box on the first page a link to Geomedia. I guess this is the reason while Geomedia in Europe has about the same market share as ESRI!


Dear Support,

Today I wanted to get information about Geomedia Professional.
When I googled for “Geomedia GIS” the first link was this: http://www.geomedia6.com/

The page required me to login… but what for? If I only wnat to know the products specs? Why should I apply for a login if I am not a customer yet?

Furthermore If I go the Intergaph homepage I stuck again. I simply don’t know what I should look for. Do I need “Enterprise Engineering Software”? or “Geospatially Powered Solutions”? .. maybe both… What do this marketing terms mean?

Now, clicking on the Geospatial link leads me to a new page that does not help that much. Because I simply like to see a button/link that leads me to the Offered Software, in particular GIS Software.

I really ask myself how much did Intergraph pay for that web design? And If there was any usability study involved and not only marketing guys? It seems like you focus exclusively on future customers that have not your software yet (i.e. don’t know exactly what they search for) and try to achieve this with as many clicks as possible.

Btw.: Now, you may wonder why I write to the support? Because it is the only (GIS) email address I found to address my problem.

Ohh.. yes finally my support request: Where can I find product specifications for Geomedia Professional on your Webpage?

best wishes (really)
Stefan Steiniger

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