Re: Competition

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When cost is an issue, I'm always asked whether there is "something else" out there or "a different way to do things".

For example, I have a client with 4 employees, with a Windows 2000 server in a workgroup configuration that wanted to upgrade. Tried to explain the benefits of a 'domain environment and SBS/Exchange but it didn't cut it. The question was always..."How much?". Finally, they decided to stay with the Win2K server and as email I set them up with
Basic Google Apps. Another one with 35 employees, loved the idea of SBS, they didn't mind the cost, but when it came down to Office and they heard the cost (event with Volume licensing) they asked about another alternative. Now half the office is using OpenOffice the other half already has Microsoft Office. Of course there are the clients that when they hear anything else other that Microsoft they say: "Nahhh... I'll stick with Microsoft"

Everything comes down to "cost". My experience is that very small businesses are very receptive of alternatives but many of them are not even aware of them. Larger businesses are more likely to want to stay with Microsoft products.


--
Costas


"Les Connor [SBS MVP]" <les.connor@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:6FFC14F6-E657-4E9C-B9A2-4FB3F25EE9EB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For those folks here who are consultants - in the SBS sized businesses you serve, do you have to compete against - or do your customers ask about - non MS platforms? (sendmail, Alfresco, Google, linux, netware?)

How about larger businesses, does the answer change?

--
Les Connor [SBS MVP]



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