Larry, thanks for the article.
Since I "market" BND, NCDI, Wyse, and other thin client/appliances I will share the Big "O" opinion (Not the manufacturers) for year 2000.
BND---Boundless has drawn the line in the sand with the appliance and thin client/text terminal business. BND will continue to "sell" text terminals and thin clients-----but will "market" BND manufacturing services and appliances to companies and OEM's. Presently the text terminal business is 85-90% of BND revenue with the rest in thin clients and text replacement products. Revenues continue to decline or stay flat. BND in my opinion will continue to "take" what they can, but not put lots of effort in thin clients. The text terminal market continues to decline. BND will market "direct" on their manufacturing and appliance divisions and continue distribution of text and thin clients. The channel "resellers" will move to other partners or the ASP market.
OPINION: Good results and Profitable to the shareholders
BND strengths: US manufacturing, manufacturing facilities, custom appliances, one of the first to enter the market.
BND weakness: Channel, Resources, marketing, communications.
NCDI- NCD also has drawn the line in the sand "with software" NCD will continue a strong marketing approach to selected markets and will have a strong relationship with alliance partners. NCD will also change the way they market to the channel, but selected distributors will be part of the plan. What makes NCD different is their direction in software. Once very strong prior to the Citrix deal--they now have a new software direction. UCSI has seen some positive results. NCD will also release "appliances" in the near future.
OPINION-NCD will continue to be different to the channel with their software. If they can turn the corner on profit and increase the volume they should do very well. Good shareholder value.
Greatest strengths--Software, OEM's and alliances
Greatest weakness--Channel, resources
WYSE-Wyse will continue to lead in WBT, but like BND and NCD they are looking to do what they must do to increase volume and remain profitable. The Big "O" looks for some changes in the channel direction and they will build stronger relationships with alliance partners. I like their marketing and their "flexibility". Wyse has name recognition and will enter the appliance market shortly.
OPINION-Good results and shareholder value.
Greatest strengths--Marketing, alliances, name, channel, market share
Greatest weakness--Manufacturing, to many like products.
All three of these companies shall continue to lead----Profit, market share, acceptance, marketing and timing is extremely important. The ASP market is coming of age and "hardware" is not really the answer. It will boil down to value---what and how the hardware is deployed, and software solutions.
The above and one share of any of the three companies will get you a cup of coffee without cream.
Big "O" |
