When it comes to companies that many, many end users don't trust, Microsoft is probably top of that list. People have seen Vista! (And they will remember it for quite some time.)
Now, Microsoft has decided to try what they failed dismally at once before and open retail stores in major cities worldwide.
I wonder what they are trying to achieve - getting "up close and personal" responses from those people they've shafted by releasing Vista about a year too early in its long-extended development cycle, or just pissing off their loyal channel (well, maybe once-loyal) by competing directly with them?
Now, are we concerned about this ourselves? Not really. Why? Because we know about and support a LOT more than just Microsoft products. Can you imagine going to "Shop Microsoft" and asking whether OpenOffice.org is a valid choice for your computer and coming away with anything other than a head full of propaganda and a copy of Microsoft Office Professional for your home PC? Nah, didn't think so.
Those resellers who support mainly home users and micro businesses are quite possibly the targets here, and exactly why Microsoft wants to eat away at their channel partners from the ground up is something I really have to sit back and look at. How often does a structure that's had its foundations undermined last?
Regards,
The Outspoken Wookie
2 comments:
Given the massive costs that will be required to fit out, setup, lease and staff these stores, with people who actually know anything, seems like its doomed to failure.
Jay
G'day Jay,
Yes, agreed, but Steve Ballmer seems to have no issue wasting money on inappropriate and irrelevant things (look at his recent Yahoo clusterfsck to see what I mean) whilst removing money from the things that matter (like, say, supporting the Channel that has been supporting your growth all these years when someone with a clue was running the company).
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