Yeah, no kidding. My new favorite NetPOS is StorageNetworks(STOR):
siliconinvestor.com
"StorageNetworks has created a global data storage network, allowing customers to connect their computer systems to the network to store and access their data in much the same way they obtain electricity or telephone service. For the 6 months ended 6/30/00, total revenues totaled $12.7M, up from $823K. Net loss totaled $58.3M, up from $4.2M. Results reflect a greater number of managed storage customers, offset by increased capacity costs. "
What a joke - they offer Net accessible disk caching. So, they've got a whole bunch of disk drives in some leased office space somewhere, and you pay to store data there instead of on your own machine. It actually sounds like a very neat idea - I know I like being able to get at my email from any terminal with Net access. But how defensible is this business model? It has "commodity" written all over it, and they even state it as their goal to make it like your electricity or telephone - a simple utility. Gee, that oughta be worth fat margins - NOT.
So, what would you pay for a company in this wonderful business, with $8M revenue last quarter? $300M? $500M? Maybe even a $1B? Nope, our clever, efficient markets have priced this gem for the low, low price of $11 billion. Yes, that's billion with a "B".
Now where's that darned oosik when I need it?
BC |
