The author notes that standard network management has certainly had a great impact on the industry. However, he further points out that it is important to distinguish between two kinds of standards, horizontal and vertical. Horizontal standards, such as management protocols and management objects, can at most provide a technology base for enabling products. However, in order to produce a robust market, vertical standards, such as APIs and a framework for management applications are needed. The author notes that the industry continues its struggle to distinguish between dreams and reality; 'architectures' and marketeers are very good at seducing the industry's attention for long periods of time. Fortunately, it is the engineers who must ultimately deliver products that provide cost-effective solutions. As such, the outcome is uncertain, the author concludes.