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Software Asset Management - Next Big Thing
Interesting to read about the new online tools to help partners track the above, anyone in the know has known for years that license upgrade/renewal is big business, surely it is not that hard to maintain a list of products sold?
However, the real question is that not many customers (over their history of buying software) buy from one source, how can these 'third party' portals help with this?
Surely the manufacturers and/or distribution need to do a better job of tracking?
Also, all this talk of illegal' software is a joke, while there are many licenses (after all, staistics never lie) being used without the requisite license having been purchased, this is often based on the fact that the manufacturers do not build enough control into their software to stop 'un-authorised' copies being used.
It is very hard to shut the gate after the horse has bolted!
Next $Trillion Channel Opportunity
Just seen the Microsoft announcement re the '2007 product releases' and their plan to 'invest/educate' the channel based on the 'momentum building'...
Does the channel really need more product, more education - I guess by default more partners? Do the customers realise they are creating this momentum? Or is this marketing at work?
Intel buys into VMWare
I wonder what price Intel could have paid for VMware a few years ago when it was bought by EMC? It makes sense for it to buy into an 'operating environment' that naturally - via software rather than hardware - significantly extends the capability of their product set.
Rumour suggests IBM were interested when EMC purchased VMWare, would have been a very good fit!
Au Revoir Mr Robertson
I wonder what the new face of Avnet will look like, Colin will be a big act to follow... Good luck Mr Robertson wherever you next appear, doubt it will be long!
New British Hero - Expectation Rising
Nice to see both the British public at large give Lewis Hamilton such a fantastic reception and level of support at the British Grand Prix (and the week leading up to it), the expectation was lovely to see/feel. On the Saturday, Lewis excelled all expectation (and that of the car!) to deliver a pole position, the expectation and fever grew even more.
It was then very, very pleasing to see how the fans/press dealt with the disappointment of only coming third - ONLY IN HIS FIRST HOME GP - not the usual reason's for failure, but an acceptance of the facts, on the day he was lucky to get third.
Still awesome and great for Britain that we have such a talent and that the great British public and press are letting him develop in the right way, albeit with maximum exposure!
Do two VAR's make a whole one?
Interested in this phenomenon of VAR's getting with VAR's. In a co-operative way, it makes sense as it makes the few appear (almost) as capable as the one. In an acquisition way, it makes sense if you want revenue growth/market access (as long as you have very good integration teams - IT is renowned for great integration strategy after all - not). However, good old 'Partner with Partner' strategies have been around for sometime and, mostly, good old selfish human behaviour gets in the way of them having the success they maybe could/should have. It is a strategy that is worth continuing, one day it will deliver...
Channel Events - The End
Surely the days of the mega/big channel events are almost over, will 2007 be the death knell?
The cost/justification to travel and value (what value most partners continually ask) you actually get from going has been reducing year on year. Often you just go 'to be seen' or because you are fearful of missing out or put under pressure fmr the vendor to go (meet targets)!
The industry does not have the wealth or health to attend such events anymore, in this new information age there has to be a better way to reward/incent and motivate channels, dare I say, without us having to pay!
Seems the vendors worked out years ago that they cannot afford to take/fund us anymore, perhaps we should tell them they offer us no/little reason to go anymore?
Morse the Incubator
Interesting about Morse and how they may do more 'incubation' business, clever strategy to get more investment into start up businesses, however, you must take into account the costs of a listing in the first place. Not sure what the right answer is, however, also not sure that Morse can claim to be an 'incubator' based business, I thought that was what VC's did?
New PM
Been reading a lot about Mr Blair, often very conflicting articles, however, what is does very clearly show that, like any business (the country being one of the biggest you can get, with a lot of, often ill informed, shareholders) it is impossible to get it right all of the time, as long as you get it more right than wrong, you will have done very well.
One thing that you cannot argue against is that we, as a small island nation, are punching well above our weight in terms of global commerce and policy, both Mrs Thatcher and Mr Blair have to take great credit for this.
Mr Brown's first few days have not been very easy, honeymoon lasted 3 days! However, as with Mr Blair, it is impossible to form an opinion based on what the press are saying, good/bad opinion, we will have to wait and see. My 'water' tells me he will do a better job than many feel, I think he has great strength and conviction. As long as he listens, rather than dictates, to his advisors, hopefully we can continue to 'bask' by punching above our political weight.
The world is changing fast, for good and bad reason I would argue, however, we must play a full part in defining these changes, Mr Blair did a great job in ensuring we start in a prime position.
Before anyone asks, I have never voted Labour in my life, so this is not a love in, just my opinion...
Microsoft and it's Channel
Interesting article in CRN last week, I am intrigued to see how Microsoft plans to inplement it's new regional/local strategy. While in terms of coverage this makes some sense, one can argue strongly in terms of reduced competition as well - 'small' businesses do buy more locally than 'medium' sized businesses. However, I'm not sure that the Gold partners, often multi-regional (if not national) will take too kindly to being managed by several different opinions.
I see far too many 'divide and conquer' strategies that actually only mean even more strategies as the local people take the company directive and interpret as they deem right.
Not seen it work anywhere else yet, so good luck Microsoft, will be watching with great interest!
Princess Di Concert
Watched some of this with interest, guess it's the 'era' thing! Thought the BBC coverage was very poor, links were dreadful, sound hit and miss, however, overall I thought it was a fitting tribute to someone that, whatever you may think/feel, changed the public view of the monarchy at a time it desperately needed some change.
Some acts better than others, however, as my mind was wandering during the event, I decided that Rod Stewart has had a great life, he will truly be able to look back and say, 'I lived life to the full'!
