Comments for harry ... the ASIC guy

Comment on Will Service Companies Eat Up EDA? by Krystyna Madonia

Krystyna Madonia — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:58:13 +0000

I saw your blog bookmarked on StumbleUpon. I love your site and articles. Keep up the good work.

Comment on The Burning Platform by harry

harry — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:42:03 +0000

Hi Sean,

Thanks for the reference to the book “Switch” and the section on a burning platform. I looked that section up on Google Books. If I understand correctly, the authors’ point is that a Burning Platform metaphor is designed to scare people into action, but that type of tactic rarely creates lasting change. Other techniques are needed for that.

Looking back at the projects I mentioned, I suppose they were not true “burning platforms” since there were still those who felt that the projects were feasible as-is. Still, I think the insight I got out of that section of the training was valid. There is a time to switch and there are always those who would rather stick with the status quo, no matter how broken. As PMs, we need to know when to make the change and how to manage it. In that regard, I guess I was successful in one case and not in the other.

Harry

Comment on The Burning Platform by Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:38:21 +0000

You might pick up a copy of “Switch” by the Heath brothers, they have a good critique of the significant limitations of the “burning platform” model for project management / project change.

Comment on Harry’s SEO Homework by Lou Covey

Lou Covey — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:45:27 +0000

SEO on this level works only when you are trying to boost your Google ratings or reach million-eyeball levels. In social media, it’s not important to reach A LOT of people. Just the RIGHT ones. So in your niche, you need to have comprehensive knowledge of the key words that your potential audience is looking for. That takes some research, though.

Comment on So, you want to start an EDA company? by Souvik

Souvik — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:50:29 +0000

EDA lacks innovation because the industry has still not able to adopt marketing strategy for its business. I am not saying that EDA companies are not marketing oriented, all I am saying is that they need to more drive strategies based on marketing inputs rather than their past baggage!!

Yes a big transformation in EDA is imminent if EDA guys start thinking like designers or verification engineers while still remembering EDA as a whole… a fine line to tread!!

Comment on So, you want to start an EDA company? by Philippe Faes

Philippe Faes — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:25:32 +0000

Hi Harry,

There is definitely a problem in what is called “the EDA business”. I see two options: either mainstream EDA re-invents itself, or it will die.

It seems that the “big three” only focus on power seats and large customers, while in fact ASIC design starts (traditionally associated with big EDA budgets) are loosing ground to FPGA design starts. Traditional companies focus on the “significant few” and not on the “long tail”.

Building a radically new technology would be nice, but perhaps a new way of doing business is just as crucial. I hope your friend finds a way to do both, and indeed transform the industry.

Philippe

Comment on So, you want to start an EDA company? by Lou Covey

Lou Covey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:59:17 +0000

I really don’t think there is a lack of innovation in EDA. What is lacking is an understanding of the real problem that exists in their customer base. And that problem is it costs too much to make semiconductors. All 300 of the startup EDA companies have a way to make semiconductors better, but can’t explain how their tools might make their customers profitable except in very vague terms.
So I’m hoping Paul and Jim can explain how to explain the financial benefit of a new tool.

Comment on SaaS & Cloud Computing EDA Roundtable @ DVCon by EDA: Alive

EDA: Alive — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:56:33 +0000

[…] attend this session. If not, I’m sure someone from Xuropa will be there. Just like my EDA SaaS and Cloud Computing Roundtable last year, it’s not part of the regular program. It will be held Tuesday evening Feb 23rd from […]

Comment on Will Service Companies Eat Up EDA? by Lou Covey

Lou Covey — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:38:34 +0000

Gary, Magillem is a service organization that has systematized it’s offering to companies needing to outsource design. Their IPO was on an unregulated market exchange because their revenue wouldn’t qualify then for the Paris Bourse and VCs won’t invest in a service organization. It’s kinda the French version of the LSE’s AIM.

Comment on Will Service Companies Eat Up EDA? by Gary Dare

Gary Dare — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:28:26 +0000

Harry, I posted this on Olivier’s blog first (sorry, spur of the moment, etc.) but Magillem of France has latched onto such a model. Granted, they are small but what is interesting is that a) while projecting a loss in Spring of 2009, they ended up with a modest profit and b) they successfully executed an IPO and have been trading on EuroNext since 11/30, 2009!

Given the IPO drought (as well as for venture capital) in EDA, that should have been smashing news … but with the loss of journalists in this field, one wonders if that was the only piece of major news that was missed?

Then again, maybe they aren’t an EDA company any more but rather, a services firm since their official name is Magillem Design Services!