Product Management Fusion
I have noticed something lately that I am not sure means anything. Basically, almost every security device and product manufacturer today have started settling on a similar management interface. If it is a policy-driven device such as a firewall or IPS, many products have settled on the Checkpoint look and feel. If they have a command line, they tend to settle on Cisco’s terminology.
I remember seeing this trend back when I was getting my Enterasys certifications in 2001-2002. They actually had their own CLI "language", but they also put in a command that allowed you to switch over to what they called "standard command line". Yep, that standard was Cisco.
I understand this concept from a manufacturer’s POV. If you have a new product, why make the learning curve harder? If everyone is used to the look and feel of Checkpoint and Cisco, then it makes sense to go that route.
But does that also stifle creativity in some small way? I mean, if your box is going to be policy-driven, then it makes sense to do this. But what if policy is not the best way to get to where you are going, but your product manager ends up taking that route because of the learning curve and fails to see other means to the end? No, I don’t have examples. Just wondering.
Vet
