I am not immune to the idea that centralization is good. However, I also see that we are a society built around specialization. We have specific people who handle specific tasks. Integration of all those specifics can be brutal (to say the least).

With our network I am not so inclined to put my faith entirely in one vendor. I like the convenience of having one vendor, but knowing that there is possibly someone better out there, I will pay the extra and spend the extra time on a seperate phone line if needed. The specialization of specific vendors is a good thing. Most work diligently to master their craft and I have reaped the rewards of well designed applications to aid me in my daily tasks and they take in a profit for that hard work. I believe this to be a system that works in this case.

On occassion there have been issues for which we required a little support, but making the call was almost easy; the hardest part of the process was using the rolodex to find the name and number I needed.

I have had little occassion to call for support as of late however having to monitor several updates of different products on a regular basis is tedious. We work to refine and patch our systems all the time. I am torn by the idea that I could alleviate some of my daily workload. Knowing that, at least in theory, all the patches and updates from one vendor should work with all the modules comprising your collection of their application suite. Not having run multiple update services, creating several batch files to run updates, or (the one I hate most) having to manually navigate separate websites and then run installers is more than just appealing.

No to bash microsoft, we use many of their products because they work, but they do tend to be a little slow getting their patches out. I have suffered delays at the hands of other vendors and have dropped them like bad habits. I am often frightened that I have done all that I can but there is still one patch I need but can't have because my vendor is not helping me through.

I believe that as we move forward we will see more attempts to provide aggregate suites as well as comprehensive suites from individual vendors. Until such time as they can be proven as any more secure, I will continue test in a safe, disconnected test environment before implementing and only when I'm sure will I allow full implementation. I suppose I'm a masochist, I would rather suffer through the less than productive expenditure of my time while I wait it out and see what happens.

Just my opinion though.