Easy. Most people wanted to see cool toys, not complex back-room machinery.

Or was it just more Microsoft hostility?

I think there's a little more to it. My experience when dealing with operators (partly when involved with Martin Dawes, who make billing systems, partly during my present gig) is that they see the billing platform as a core corporate item to be jealously guarded. Their network they also see the same way. To open up is contrary to their very nature; I just had to fill in a huge involved security questionnaire to start the process of linking a WAP site to an operator's systems. Giving up control of something *that key* to Microsoft... I can't see it sitting well with them.

Well put. But if that's the case, the judgement may be mistaken, because ERP stuff doesn't really go down that deep. It talks to the billing system, rather than replacing it.

But I agree that the big operators are pretty much nothing more than a big billing machine, surrounded by frills and furbelows, perhaps. That's almost all they really do.

Hi there, just a quick note in case you are traveling like I did last week. What to do when you get sick while on vacation? see a Doctor, well kind a hard task if he can't speck your language (mine is English). I was in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur visiting a friend who lives in Cannes, France when I got really sick. After I asked around in every possible place I could think of, the same name kept on coming up. Doctor Stephane Bendennoune, not only does he speck English well, but he is a very dedicated and sincere Doctor. He was so friendly and very professional (I wish I would have found a Dr like him back home) and was even insisting on seeing me 3 days later, just to make sure that I was really doing OK.
So if your in Cannes for the Cannes film festival (Festival de Cannes) on business, gulfing or vacation remember his name. He's offices are conveniently located in the heart of town his phone # is 0493 39 98 98 and he's available after hours as well for urgent visits at your hotel or where ever your staying in.

Cheers best of luck
Michael