Dan re:Do you think Dell passed on Itanium II because it performed so well? Intel is offering a complete solution, configured in a case, ready to go. Your dog
has all the engineering skills and resources needed to get into the Itanium II sales biz. All Dell had to do was slap a sticker on the box and add a page to
their web site. Absolutely no engineering or qualification of any kind required.
I disagree. IT clients are becoming much more demanding these days on the IT vendors (especially for mission crtical stuff). It's no longer a simple contract specifiying price and performance of the product.. Now, the client requires system integration with existing platforms, network integration, application development, business planning, process reengineering, maintenance, testing in the labs before implementation, training, etc. Dell will have to train hundreds of their service people on how to do this. Certainly, no small task. Now, Dell could outsource some of these services, but that still requires a huge investment on their part (& a hit to their margins). Anyway, lots of hand-holding involved with the client, something that Dell might be reluctant to do at this point since it deviates somewhat from their business model.
Joey |
