To sell more SBS boxes or not sell SBS boxes? That is the question?
For me it is not! Does that mean I can’t be a Small Business Specialist? I think I still am, although the last two projects have involved a migration of a SMS application to Rackspace and Windows Server 2003/Tivoli Storage Manager to an Enterprise customer. The proposal I’m working on right now is based on Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007 Enterprise Ed.
Great product that SBS 2003 is, it is just the enabling platform not the real driver of business value (in my humble opinion). There are people who have being doing it longer and can probably do it better than me. I think some real business value stuff is happening on the software applications side, SaaS and yes things like Office Live. So, Microsoft want us to shift more SBS boxes? Well, we know about Office Live (targetted at small businesses) and the feedback on the support forums is to make it more flexible and not less, people want to do more with it and recognise the potential. Still don’t believe me, then have a look at this. BT and Microsoft working together to create SaaS applications for Small Businesses. Threat or Opportunity? For me, definitely opportunity!
So, why narrow the definition of a Small Business Specialist down to SBS. Why not get SBSC Partners and Small ISVs together and talk about these new technologies and how Microsoft feels they could fulfill Small Business needs.
So, what do you think?
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April 26th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
I believe that you should provide the services that are right for the client.
They may be beyond the SBS barrier but surely we can still support them like any other customer?
There are many new and exciting technologies appearing onto the scene and we have to do our best to embrase them and filter them down to our consumers.
Kieran.
April 26th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Well put Kieran! I think you probably said it better than I expressed it. At the end of the day though, you have to make a choice as to what your business model is going to be. Problem is that as a small business you can not physically support everything. Doing SBS installations and general IT support stuff might be right for many people but it’s not really where my skills lie. Nevertheless, the next version of SBS, Cougar is going to be an amzing solution for small businesses. What makes sense is to work with someone who can do the SBS installs and enjoys doing that.
April 26th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
That sounds like I can’t do SBS installs!
Doh!
What I mean is my background is as a software developer and I think I’ve realised that’s what I really enjoy.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Good point Vijay - SBS is just one part of SBSC & I agree, it needs to go further & embrace all the different technologies that can benefit small business customers.
Watch this space.
Robbie
April 27th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Excellent, the BT/Microsoft link-up for small business looks really interesting and would love to see how SBSC Partners can link in with this.