In the previous FT we commented that the proposed sale was not good news for customers given the increasing appliance competiton with Check Point, and that the best possible case would be a change of the sale to Check Point instead. In the next FT (second take? ) we again assessed that the Check Point buy was the best possible outcome.

Check Point will now manage much of Nokia customers’ transition risk, instead of the customers being on the hook. Whereas before the new buyer the decision was 1) stay with Check Point on Nokia and risk Check Point being less supportive of your platform or the new buyer not maintaining quality of support and product, 2) move to Check Point on Check Point and maybe not get the full value from your Nokia appliance investment or 3) abandon ship and bring in competitors.

Now the first two choices are conjoined, and if customers aren’t treated well they still can go to 3).

So what *is* your opinion on the Nokia+Checkpoint deal? Did you talk to Checkpoint? Are they treating this as a market defending move or a game changing move?

Thanks!

-Stiennon