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The FuzzyBlog!
Marketing 101. Consulting 101. PHP Consulting. Random geeky stuff. I Blog Therefore I Am.
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Tuesday, July 02, 2002 |
Linux Centric Cartoons; Well Geek Cartoons in General
Well I find this funny. I know Adam and so will Demitrious too. What about you?
And if you have ever had a "Honey Do" list, you'll love this:
And this is just plain too good to not point out (for the Mac folk out there like Paolo and crew):
And, finally, I promise to NEVER, EVER do this to an SO (for the die hard bloggers out there):
(SO = Significant Other)
6:21:49 PM Google It! 
IM Me About This
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Microsoft: The Pressure Continues! Or do you really need to upgrade Office again?
I was just on www.pcconnection.com and saw the content below on a link directly from the home page. What I hear is that people are NOT signing up for this program -- it's just a bad time to contemplate license changes since the economy is basically still, well, in the tank. Now don't get me wrong -- I think annual license models are the right thing for the software business and for customers since it makes a lot of issues cleaner. Where this fails is when the company that wants you to license the product fails to remember one thing: Successful companies do what's best for the customer. It's very unclear to me that Microsoft understand this. Here's an example:
From the FAQ at: http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/content/showcase/microsoftlic_vol.asp:
What do I miss if I don't sign up for Upgrade Protection?
Open License 6.0 allows IT managers full access to future upgrades on all Microsoft software products used by their organization, including all Office, Visio, Exchange, and SQL Server packages. Upgrades to these products will not be available to organizations that don't sign up for Upgrade Advantage or Software Assurance by July 31, 2002.
Let's be very, very honest here. Listed below are at least what I see as just some of the problems here:
- Economy is Bad. Yes Microsoft gave us all warning on this. So what? The macro economic situation has changed -- the economy is still bad and Microsoft needs to remove the gun to your head.
- This isn't a Priority NOW. When your concerns include "Who do I lay off this week?" then licensing Office is not a priority.
- Timing. By ending this program in July, Microsoft basically is ensuring that a pretty large percentage of companies will NOT take advantage of this. Here's why:
- Everyone procrastinates decisions they don't want to make (human nature)
- Everything is slower in the summer and decisions often don't get made because people are on vacation
- My guess, based on years of experience with the often unrecognized "summer shutdown" is that between 10 to 20% of people that would have purchased simply because of the date. Bear in mind that if your organization is of any size greater than just a few people, you are talking about a substantial amount of money. While I don't know the exact pricing on this, I can easily guess that it's at least $100 per seat. If you have 1,000 people in your company then just do the math. Anything greater than $5,000 generally requires at least one level of additional approval (why do you think software is often priced at $4,995 -- that's why). And greater than $10,000 is generally multiple levels. Trying to get those approvals when folks are taking vacation is really hard.
- So my very cynical question is does Microsoft NOT understand this or did they do this intentionally to optimize revenues later?
- It's Expensive. This has to be expensive. It just has to be. Want to know why? Microsoft is now offering FINANCING for your upgrades!!! http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/content/showcase/microsoftlic_finance.asp Who ever heard of buying software by financing it??? Am I the only person who things this is more than a bit silly.
- If You Don't Do It NOW then You CAN'T UPGRADE LATER. Read that again. Repeat it. Grok it. This really, really bothers me. I can understand telling customers "If you don't do it now then it costs X % more later" but not this. I'm sorry. Yes Microsoft can do whatever they want but as customers, you can choose to do the same.
So, while I fully admit that Microsoft can do whatever it wants, this feels to me like it really isn't in the customers best interest.
Postscript:
I ran this piece by a friend who's an ex-Microsoft person and how used to work on Microsoft Word himself. And his comment was that this is a huge opportunity for Open Office. Very interesting.
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Here's a direct copy and paste from the PC Connection page:
Full URL: http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/content/showcase/microsoftlic.asp |
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At Last, a Solution to Software Management!
Save time, money, and hassle! With Open License 6.0, Microsoft makes it easy for volume users to get the most long-term value from their software investment. It's a convenient tool to manage this important asset - and after July 31, 2002, it's the most cost-effective way you'll be able to get future upgrades to key Microsoft license products.
Learn more:
Volume License FAQ
Upgrade Protection
Microsoft Open Finance
Contact a Specialist
Now is the time to upgrade. After July 31, 2002, Microsoft's new Volume Licensing 6.0 Program will be fully implemented. The most cost-effective way to obtain upgrades is to purchase Upgrade Advantage or Software Assurance for eligible licenses now. After July 31, 2002, you can only purchase Licenses or Licenses and Software Assurance together to obtain rights to future versions of software.
Call for a quote! 1-800-986-2293 | |
5:02:18 AM Google It!
IM Me About This
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FontFixer!
See Me Speak at this Conference!
I Might Speak at this Conference!
Contact Info:
"FontSafe" Blogs Resizable Text
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