> On Wed, 12 Apr 2000, Simon Bryan wrote:
>
> > Let me give you some figures:
> > MSOfficePro license $95
> > NTWS4.0 license $45
> > NTServer $150 - unlimited licenses as you license the Workstations
> >
> > These are not big figures, they are cheap. I have seen Linux selling in
> > shops for more than this.
>
> I have seen these figures too.
> They are very anticompetitive. No other "commercial" OS or software
> vendor could afford to bundle an offer like this together.
We will have to disagree on this one! It is a good deal for schools and for MS
and virtually costs them nothing! All they sell us is one disc and a number of
licenses, and yes they do get the foot in the door, they do start to build
brand loyalty etc etc. There is nothing stopping other companies doing the
same, after all at the moment they are getting *nothing* from schools, so
anything would be an increas in revenue. I have been asked to look at
Photdesk as graphic software for our school, for 40 copies / licenses the
cost will be $15,000 at the special education price!! Guess what we aren't
going to buy it. If we had to pay full price for each piece of software we want /
need to use then the technology argument in schools would be over, there
wouldn't be any. Yes I know the Linux solution is cheaper, but it does not
have the range of software with the same capabilities.
All that is needed is for other companies to fight MS on its own ground, not
the software, generally that is all much of a muchness, they need to get into
marketing , brand awareness, consumer loyalty. That is how MS built it's
empire.
--
Simon Bryan [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Information Technology Manager [EMAIL PROTECTED]
OLMC Parramatta
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