Symantec Slips Delivery of Next Gen AV
I have noted previously how Symantec seems beset with problems and mismanagement. On top of all of their other issues, they are going to slip the original ship date of their next version of the antivirus program called “Norton 360.” This could be bad in that Microsoft just released their OneCare program and McAfee is expected to release a new version of their AV this summer.
From CNET here:
Symantec’s next-generation security software is officially named Norton 360 and faces a possible delay from the original September due date.
Word of the potential delay comes as Microsoft is starting to ship its Windows Live OneCare security product and a day after McAfee announced its Falcon project for new, integrated consumer security software, slated for delivery this summer.
Symantec unveiled plans for its new software, then code-named Genesis, in February. The product is to rival Microsoft’s OneCare and Windows Vista security technology, and will integrate components of Symantec’s current security, PC optimization and backup products, the security company has said.
On Wednesday, Symantec announced that Genesis will be called Norton 360 and that the product is slated to ship by the end of March next year, a change from the original September due date. However, a company spokeswoman said a delay isn’t certain.
When it ships, Norton 360 is planned to be available worldwide with support for both Windows XP and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.
This is a six month delay. Sure, Vista got delayed too, and this may contribute to the delay of Norton 360, but Symantec is suing Microsoft to block the release of Vista anyways due to the inclusion of legacy veritas software bundled into the new operating system.
Lawsuits, bad acquisitions and failure to innovate does not bode well for a business. Remember what happened to Netscape? They quit competing and cried instead about unfair practices, and they were dusted by the competition. Symantec will soon fall into the same state if they do not quickly right their erratic business.
