5 years ago, having been a decade of experience in networks and telecommunications, I had to solve the task of organizing hotspot. Study materiel showed that there is a company MikroTik with RouterOS platform. The problem was solved by building hotspot, and platform features were so great, and the setting is so comfortable that MikroTik equipment we have used consistently and regularly. MikroTik’s devices worked with us (the customers) as firewalls, routers, as a VPN client and server, as access points and hotspot, wireless extension and more. RouterOS certainly not without bugs, but it is developing, bugs are fixed or can be avoided. Our customers were happy - for a small price they received working systems with easy support. All these years watching MikroTik RouterOS and I can not understand why these local successes in certain regions and specific areas of applications, qualitative change does not come to everyone’s popularity and mass distribution. And the company MikroTik did not become on par with Cisco or Juniper, although RouterOS is on par with the IOS and JunOS.
I wrote some “thinking out loud” about why it happens and what how this situation can be changed. Thought was surprisingly a lot and get a large amount in the format of a post on this forum would be reading uncomfortable. So I had to make two pdf file - English http://dl.dropbox.com/u/65105404/mikrotiksomeideasen.pdf and the original in Russian http://dl.dropbox.com/u/65105404/mikrotiksomeideasru.pdf (because my English is not very much and who understand Russian better read this file.)
Long story short - the MikroTik should stop “innovating” for a while and fix all outstanding bugs and implement features to their fullest defined functionality, that is it. All the rest is marketing and stuff what is derailing them all the time.
Innovation does not interfere with bug fixes. Another thing, if the number of employees can either fix old bugs or create new ones. 
And even in this case, innovation is more important in a changing world. For example what is the point of ideal dialup access server now? Why do you need a perfect DSLAM when PON / ETTH / FTTH are mainstream?
The truth is that MT is to cheap. They need to charge more for the software (plus certain features should be additional charge) to fund better development and testing. If they don’t do it now - they never will as their market share will only be shrinking.
Most likely the truth is that MikroTik too little. Very difficult to develop a similar product being 100 to 1000 times less than the competition.
But I see a way out is not to increase the cost of software but the increase in sales. The increase in cost will close the market of inexpensive CPE for them.
I will just comment on a few things:
- books already exist, you can find them here: http://www.mikrotik.com/mfm
- there are plenty of web shops that ship internationally, check our “BUY” page
- have you seen Quickset? it’s not perfect yet, but from your text, it seems you have not seen it
- Why do we need a Commit command? Not having it, is an advantage in my opinion. If you are scared of what you configure, we have the CTRL+X mode
About Commit.
Commit is useful when you need to make changes that will lead to a loss of connection. Such as changing the single time logins, tunnels, encryption, IP-addresses, routes and more. Commit command / concept allows you to not think about whether this is a command to the problems or not, as All changes will be implemented only after they are confirmed.
Except the Commit command syntax can be used - commit confirmed . Without proof of change within configuration will be roll back to a previous version. Ctrl + X mode matches only confirmed without functional of commit.
Furthermore commit works in any configuration mode - in console or in GUI.
Automatic running of the configuration command is just an automatic commit after each command. This mode can be done by default. Winbox can have a global check box near to Hide Passwords which will enable / disable autocommit.
About Quickset.
We talk a bit about various things. QuickSet not replace the need to “dumb mode” and vice versa. QuickSet is a minimal set of configuration required to put the router in work.
It can not include too much or else it will be difficult to use. Possibilities RouterOS not fit in a single configuration window. If admin/engineer is not an expert in telecommunications it does not mean that he can not use full RouterOS functionality. The task of “dumb mode” to configure the device that is already in work.
Let me explain with on simple example of configuration DHCP server. Now to do this you need to use the IP/DHCP Server/DHCP, IP/DHCP Server/Networks, IP/Pool/Pools. In the “dumb mode” must be only one window with two fields - DHCP Start IP address and Finish IP address.
I could write other examples, but you simply go to the nearest store and buy some cheap Chinese routers and look at yourself how should look “dumb mode” By the way Quickset there is also in them.
About Internet shopping.
Find Russia in Buy page. We find there is a great distributor NAG Telecom. We worked with them it is a known and respected company. They have an excellent website http://www.shop.nag.ru/search?word=mikrotik&page=1, which I use it.
Hmm. I need to translate the expression “Наличие: Под заказ”? Or translate “Наличие: Транзит 66 шт” for topsales model RB751U-2HnD? Another example? A month or two ago, a client in the “promised land” sought your router. I must say that he still found it to spend a day, though not quite the model I recommend.
But if you think that this is not a problem, I will not insist. You know better.
And more.
What else can be useful your online shop. How to buy the license for RouterOS in case installation on a PC (now, quick and easy)?
About the book.
Books? I wrote a “books”? No, I wrote a “book” let it be “THE BOOK”.
A book that everyone can found - quickly, simply and clearly. A book to be read in order to become a specialist in network and telecom. A Mikrotik there only as a platform for practical training. A book that will make for you the same as http://cdn.oreilly.com/books/9780596510480.pdf for Asterisk. The book in which will be Cisco courses - Internetworking Basics and ICND, but in the context of MikroTik.
Do you have such book? Then buy the author’s right on it and put free link on your home page.
bugs and support options. Can’t beat Cisco tac.
Really can not beat Cisco TAC. I just now looked up and saw that MikroTik has not paid support which would be analogous to Smartnet.
http://www.mikrotik.com/support.html - “3.You can hire a certified consultant for detailed configurations or network diagnostics”
This is simply not serious to a solid organization.
In telecom such support could be relevant. That’s just not clear whether begin buying this paid support.
In order to organize daily 3 shifts of several engineers they need (24 * 7) / (8 * 5) * (N + 1) employees. To get a shift of at least 3-engineers take an additional 17 employees. This is not a developer, find them easier and they are cheaper.
I do not know how much it costs one person of this nature with the workplace and in the reality of taxes in Latvia. Well, let it be 3000 euros per month. 3000 * 17 = 51,000. Round to 60,000 euros per month (service must also bring profit).
How many incidents will allow an engineer for their 8-hour shift? We’re talking about a paid support, there are unlikely to be simple cases. Let there be five incidents. The number of incidents over the last month with all the services will not exceed 5 * 3 * 3 * 30 = 1350
Since the frequency at which the client once a month will serve ~ 1,000 contracts, 2 times per month ~ 500, one every two months ~ 2000
The cost of one contract is obtained from 30 to 120 euros a month (from 360 to 1440 per year). For operators, the reasonable costs. But if they can find a number of contracts (500-2000).
Hmm I think will not be a paid support from Mikrotik Or they give it to the Indians …
But most importantly, the lack of support is not a fundamental barrier to the spread. Otherwise, on servers would not setup Linux or setup only RedHat.
We rely on consultants, because we have so many and so good ones. They are available in your local language and timezone. They are trained and certified, and we can vouch for their knowledge.
As you can see from our MUM presentation keynotes, MikroTik has 90 employees total.
I’m afraid to ask, programmers have outsourced work too? I’m afraid the answer to that question.
But seriously I’m surprised that you do not understand the difference between CAN and SHOULD support. Your consultant will assist in nonworking time? on holidays? He will configure and reload equipment at 5 am? He could instantly sober up? Throw a holiday? Rushed back from a fishing trip? He never gets sick?
You understand the difference between the problems of the home network and the problems of internet service provider? In one case, one week of downtime is not a problem, and in another hour and a disaster. And have your experts access to the “senior”, to developers? How can they understand that the reason is bug in the code, not configuration?
Yes, consultant can work remotely, BUT MikroTik must receive applications, distribute them, be responsible for the escalation, control and monitor process.
Tell one story from real life. One of my partner actually performs the function of second line helpdesk for a large ISP. In his area of his responsibility this provider has tens of thousands subscribers. So there is no outsourcing and telecommuting. No crying children and screaming women in the handset. Two shifts - morning and evening on weekdays, one shift at the weekend and on holidays. Working in the office. Each shift has a senior. There is head of all the technical support. There is a standard implementation of applications. There is a list of applications and mechanism of accounting and distribution.
Support engineers have access to ISP billing, monitoring and configuration of some equipment, there is direct access to the body of system administrators (3rd level helpdesk). And such system has been running for many years.
I hope all your consultants to organize similar (if they are so good)? Do not want you to say that the support Windows PC requires greater responsibility than support systems based on RouterOS?
we do not use any outsourcing. all staff works in our office in Latvia
Since the question seems based on questionable assumptions I offer a tongue in cheek answer:
Because it is more fun being Mikrotik!
Mikrotik has done fairly well at identifying areas not served well by the likes of Cisco and hopefully the owners are seeing a reasonable return on the capital invested.
The CCR offers the possibility of a new chapter and a new customer base. Managing that growth alone is a sufficient challenge while hopefully still allowing it to be a fun place to work!
The investment and risk involved in (say) challenging Cisco v. HP’s daily slugfest in the switch market would change the nature of the company completely. Maybe they don’t relish that future. Who could blame them!
I thought about the fact that my assumptions are questionable. Just did not write these doubts in a long document. I even believe that the founders have enough income from the company and they do not want more money. As we say - enough for bread and butter, and sometimes on the loaf with caviar.
But I would not believe that the founders are not interested in a professional challenge - to be the same or even better. I can not believe that they are not interested to be the ones who change the world. That is why, not because of profits, IPO and other company had to grow in breadth.
On the Web site there is no information about how they understand their mission in this world, so we can only speculate about it.
But now I have the impression that you are right. MikroTik believe that they have achieved their mission - they were the same as giants. Not the same size, but the same in words “Yes, we can!”. They can do as well, but that goes beyond the routine - bug fixes, technical support, logistics is not funny. And easier to be a company of 100 people and live happily.
Also this is the reason for the development of such projects as the Dude and SwOS - just fun and interesting.
If you have a product but no customers, then you will fail, whereas Mikrotik seems to have customers who want way more than company can offer. You might get a better understanding of their approach after watching the interview with Arnis Riekstins. It is an “I do it my way” approach and it’s been successful so far, because demand is growing from customers like me and you. Your post just confirms it.
I looked and found the interview. True, it was in Latvian, but with subtitles.
Arnis Riekstins says that they are a global company. At the same time, even indicated in an interview approach to the selection of staff says that they want to stay “company as the family.” My opinion it is the opposite trend. The company in 10 people managed differently than in 100 people, and 100 people managed differently than in 1000.
MikroTik can not be afraid of the competition so far because he exceeded one by functionality, other by price, third by usability.
But recently, I saw Edge. (we will not violate the rules of the forum) Advertising video is fun It seemed to me that they stole Mikrotik ideology entirely. We want to buy for test one device, touch it by hands.
That only works if there’s no competition. It looks like UBNT want’s to eat MT’s lunch now with EdgeMax and my guess is that they will if MT does not step up.