You’ll Be Needing a Paint Shirt

18 May

Holy week; and by holy I don’t mean sacred, I mean it’s time for the weekend as I am finally catching my breath from this week’s events.  My only obstacle now is this Saturday; any ounce of energy I’ve managed to preserve will be literally drained from me as my husband and I try our second half marathon.  My only motivation – at least it’s a not a full one.

This week we finally kicked off  an event we’ve been planning for a few months now – the HP NPI Event.  Acronyms?  But of course.  It was our Hewlett-Packard New Product Introduction, and we had some pretty sweet product lining the walls that even turned the heads of the non-believers.  We saw the inner workings of the Gen8′s, played with Google Earth on a 47″ TouchScreen monitor, propped open the impressive Z1 (what I would give for one of those) and even influenced ProBook junkies to convert themselves into Ultrabook advocates with HP’s Folio product.  The most ironic part of the show however, and this has held true for two years running, IPG (Imaging and Printing Group now merged with PSG) stole the show.

I can actually say I’m not surprised.  I can blog about print, hold Webinar after Webinar about print, run campaigns and giveaway free money –  I could probably even host an event specifically for print with Michael Jordan as the Keynote and I still…okay maybe Michael Jordan might draw a crowd but my point here is that print by itself might not be sexy but it sure as hell turns heads when given the opportunity.

Today however, I’m not focusing on print – and I have to confess, I have not removed our output tray from the side of our printer yet.   Today, I’m talking about VARs.  A VAR typically is a business that takes an existing product and adds its own “value.”  Typically this is in application form however I want to focus on an a different value-add.  Erb’s happens to be a VAR so I should note this blog is not by way to promote our own capabilities but rather I’m going to paint you a picture and you can decide where and if you want to hang it.

So at this event, as I’m running around scolding the caterers about their watered down coffee, running video presentations, snapping some photographs and begging myself NOT to wear 5-inch heels next time, I started to think about why on Earth an end-user would choose NOT to utilize VAR(s) in their area.  There I was demoing product that either hasn’t hit the market yet or is fairly new to it, staring at Product and Solution experts – the guys and gals that eat, sleep and breathe IT and thinking how rare the opportunity it is.

Obviously events like these are a very small piece of the puzzle BUT they really make ever bit of the difference and I’ll explain why.  It’s not because of the event itself but actually the ability to mirror that event really any time you want (for the most part).  In other words and just as an example, imagine having demo opportunities and direct line communications with the experts all at your disposal? Imagine taking the event and customizing it for you and your business.

Unfortunately I’m not suggesting that all VARs work this way and quite frankly they deserve a new acronym.  Either way however if you’re serious about your business – if you’re serious about technology you absolutely need to get serious about a VAR.  Here are some Tip(s) to get you headed in the right direction:

  1. Always attempt to stay local or be sure they have local service.  This allows for quicker service calls and higher-availability.
  2. Get in the loop with your local resellers activities.  Go to their events whether they are online or live.  99.99999% of the time they are free.  If you have the time – if you have to MAKE time, you’ll be amazed at what you can walk away with (even if it’s as simple as free printer).
  3. Next time you are out ‘price shopping’ read this BLOG.  Then, make it a point to hand one project over to a local reseller.  It doesn’t have to be a huge multi-faceted project, but a project. Even if it’s partial to what you’re trying to accomplish.  Explore the difference.
  4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  What may not be realistic to a Best Buy does NOT mean it isn’t realistic.  Remember, a lot of the time VARs have many more resources and a reach much deeper than a service call to the manufacturer’s 800 number.
  5. Call for advice.  VARs will eat this up.  You’re not supposed to know everything and IT.  Think about something you are passionate talking about – probably your business.  That is IT for a VAR.

When I think about Value-Add I don’t think about a smooth transaction, a 10% discount or a flawless implementation, I think about someone’s ability to give me the competitive-edge and make what I viewed as impossible possible (or at least consider it and exhaust the options).  It doesn’t stop at the sale or 5:00 p.m.   Technology is what’s running business;  it’s time we start acting like it.

Chat later,

BVR

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I Told You So…

11 May

This morning I’m sitting here at my desk browsing through security headline after security headline…all of which were unintentional; it’s just between that and Cloud no one’s talking about anything else.  I continue to browse, looking for a carrot to bite on with little luck when I frustratingly announce I have no content for today’s blog.  Lucky for me, we have an open office floor plan, I was overheard and the idea of mobile printing was bellowed from  a colleague (who happens to be one of our MPS Acct Execs.).

Combine her thoughts with the inevitable security headlines I can’t seem to avoid and what do we get?!  Ding, ding, ding – Secure Printing!

Many times in the IT world, when we are talking about Disaster Recovery or Secure Printing or Security in general I like to  compare businesses to the families from Friday night’s murder mystery show, Dateline NBC.  Seriously.  I should note that my husband and I RARELY miss an episode (yes, our beer drinking, Friday nights have been replaced with a glass of wine and a couch.)

So where’s the comparison?  Every week we hear the same one line our Account Execs hear in the field when we’re out recommending solutions like Secure Printing to potential clients and customers, “It won’t happen to me.”

How many, “It can happen to you, it will happen to you, it does happen to others very similar to you,” is it going to take to rid businesses of that naive persona?  Of course this persona takes on a more familiar form with the out-of-site, out-of-mind philosophy.  As I’ve previously talked about, many times print is the last thing on our minds when it comes to our IT environments.  If we can’t even bring ourselves to ACKNOWLEDGE print then how are we supposed to combat the vulnerabilities associated to it?  Scare tactics?  Possibly.  Which is why I have full intentions of scaring the shit out of you today.  I’m kidding but…

I will start with some little known facts:

  • Nearly 30% of all printed documents are LEFT AT THE PRINTER FOR ANYONE TO TAKE.
  • Documents can be sent and stored for later printing on most printers and MFPs – all it takes is a stolen hard disk and your documents are exposed.
  • A device’s settings and controls that ARE unprotected allows for the ability to reroute print jobs and even access vital passwords and network information.
  • Ever heard of a “Network Sniffer” (no it’s not a person – I can’t imagine anyone would really want that nickname…but)?  It’s a powerful network analysis tool that can literally read data traveling between a PC and printer.  Talk about print jobs, routing addresses and more at full disclosure!
Let’s follow that with your consequences.  Okay so there’s really only one BUT it’s a significant, very common one and it’s about you losing money, lots of it. We’re talking millions of dollars that are lost annually due to:
  • Private and Corporate lawsuits
  • Government fines
  • Industry violations
  • Employee and Customer identity theft
  • Stolen competitive information
Still could NEVER happen to your business right?  Go take a peak at any of your shared printers on the network.  Now look to the right of it.  How many papers are left in the paper tray conveniently accompanying it?  I just went and checked out ours…I stopped at page 100.  We aren’t in full control of our users, folks and we don’t wake up every morning to babysit everyone that prints.  I’m not suggesting that a competitor is going to prance into your business and steal the print outs hanging next to your printer.  I’m suggesting that if something as simple as securely recycling papers isn’t happening -chances are there a many other things you aren’t doing that you should be as well.   Thankfully for me we have team dedicated to the bigger issues most businesses overlook or aren’t aware of.

Here’s my first Tech Tip today:  you need to understand it can happen to you and YOU take the risk when you decide it can’t.  If you can accept that, here are few additional Tech Tip(s) to get your started.

  • Get rid of your paper trays and have secure destruction bins accessible to your team.
  • Always SECURE PRINT when you aren’t immediately retrieving your materials.  You can do so by way of the Advanced Properties in the printer settings.
  • Install server software that allows IT to securely track print transactions by user.
  • Consolidate your printers.  Monitoring one vs. three simplifies things tremendously.
  • As ALWAYS, educate.  If you haven’t thought about the risks, do you think you’re users are?  Teach them about printer security and sensitivities and set the expectations that everyone is responsible.

No one wants to hear the dreaded, “I told you so.”  How about I take care of our paper tray and you work on taking an honest look at your print environment. Secure printing is affordable, logical and quite frankly one of the simplest things you can and should be doing, if you’re not – that’s you’re own fate.

Chat later,

BVR

HP offers some GREAT Secure Printing opportunities.  Check them and the fun facts I shared in this article HERE.  There are also complimentary ASSESSMENT TOOLS available for businesses today.

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Don’t Let the Sticker Price Fool You.

4 May

As a reseller that works in the Channel we get some pretty cool perks that the Best Buys and Staples of the world don’t.  For example, it’s not uncommon to have our Vendor or Distribution partners in our office talking game plan, or to have a lunch with division heads and department gurus or one of my personal favorites, getting our hands on product that has been announced but doesn’t hit the market for months.

I wasn’t able to get my hands on any product this past week BUT I was able to meet with a number of folks from one of our distribution partners.   I’ll spare you the insight into my now tripled to-do list and lengthy discussions.  At the end of their visit it was very evident that I was left with a big hurdle in front of me that I’m now determined to conquer.

The hurdle?  MANAGED PRINT.  It’s funny because the reps that were visiting were grilling me about how do we get people to bite – suggesting the oldest trick in the book,  book an appointment, receive a fill in the blank.  I immediately objected with, “unless you can throw some zebra print and red heels on it, it’s not going to work.”  Okay, we get it; Managed Print isn’t sexy BUT it is one of THE easiest ways to save money.

So how do we convince businesses out there that even though Managed Print isn’t the Prima Donna of IT, it still can – “save you 30% on your print environment”.  Come on I couldn’t resist.  That’s like the go-to solution statistic, I swear.  You hear Managed Print; you hear 30% without missing a beat.  Anyways, the conclusion – we can’t convince anyone if they don’t believe they need convinced.   This is a huge problem starting with the fact that businesses don’t see a printer – they see the function behind the printer – or what the printer produces.  As long as it’s printing the proposal as expected your golden, right?  Wrong, and I’ll tell you why.

Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.  And in absolutely in no way, shape or form was that supposed have any Santa Clause connotation associated with it.  Despite, if you’ve never considered print as a force to be reckoned with -shift through my bullets below.  If you find yourself relating, maybe it’s time you’re in need of a little convincing.

  1. Take inventory.  It’s always interesting to us when we take a walk around a customer’s environment only to hear, “I didn’t realize we had that printer, and that printer, and that printer.”
  2. Are all your printers on a network?  They should be.  Sharing devices eliminates the need for under-utilized, single-function desktop printers – you know the ones you didn’t even realize you had.
  3. You’d be amazed (and absolutely no offense here) as to how many businesses today are still running a fax machine, a copier and a printer all on their own.  Beyond the power consumption each of these devices running individually consumes, we’re talking about break/fix and multiple purchases for three devices.  These expenses alone outweigh any costs associated with purchasing a Multi-Functional Printer (MFP).

…and the list goes on and on and on, really.  I mean I’ve only offered up costs associated with having multiple devices for NO REASON.  We haven’t talked about overstocking toner and printer life and page counts and so on!  I keep saying Managed Print is the easiest concept and yet the hardest one to grasp.  It gets frustrating so I’m just going to leave you with the best conviction that I can think of…

YOUR PRINTER(s) COSTS MUCH MORE THAN THE STICKER PRICE – Don’t let it fool you.

Chat later,

BVR

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Pick Your Poison

27 Apr

Many times when we bring on new clients or even new employees I end up overhearing or being asked, what’s the difference between Virtualization and Cloud Computing solutions?   I’ll admit it, the only clear difference between the two technologies when I first heard of them was the name itself.  Beyond that, I figured we were following industry suit and just allowing for multiple definitions and names.   My lightbulb didn’t turn on until I was on a conference call one afternoon, and at the end of the call I was left with the, “It was a pleasure to finally meet you virtually.”  Anytime folks say that to me I want to respond, yeah it’s been real.  :)

No in all seriousness, I’m the type of person that likes to take difficult, convoluted and thoroughly out-of-my-league concepts and dumb them down by comparing them to scenarios that actually make sense to me.  A Wikipedia definition isn’t my light at the end of the tunnel, but my research following that afternoon’s call was.

Personally, I think Virtualization is one of the most innovative, efficiency-driven and quite frankly, coolest technologies that’s come to market today. Beyond my admiration for this solution, my goal here is not to define it but to paint a clearer picture of what exactly it is and leave you with Tech Tip(s) to successfully move forward.

When I revert back to my conference call scenario, I think about the ability to eliminate all the unnecessary elements it typically takes to conduct a face-to-face meeting.  At the end of the day, we were able to accomplish everything we would have had we not met virtually and yet we saved time, money, efforts, and the list goes on.  Essentially when you virtualize your environment, you are creating the ability to produce the exact same end result but in smarter, more cost-effective and efficient way.  You’re creating virtual versions of the technologies you currently have in-house for shared and fully functional usage across your infrastructure.

More specifically, lets talk server virtualization.  Many times customers fall victim to running multiple servers and under-utilization.  Our biggest pushback in terms of virtualizing is the costs associated.  This completely baffles me because these same folks that are concerned with cost are not even aware of the money they are spending by NOT virtualizing.  I’m not even going to get started on the scalability, consolidation savings, and every other benefit that trumps any price tag on a new or ‘beefed’ up server or virtualization implementation. The upfront cost pay for itself in do-time.

If you overcome the initial investment that turns heads and see the ROI, here are a few Tech Tip(s) to get you started:

  • You do NOT have to choose between virtualizing or cloud computing.  This is one of the biggest misconceptions today.  The way I look at it, you can’t have one without the other.  VIRTUALIZATION IS YOUR FIRST STEP TO CLOUD MIGRATION.
  •  Get a comprehensive assessment.  I’d encourage you to bring in an IT solution provider for this.  If you go down that route, a little insider knowledge, ALWAYS ask about a complimentary assessment.   You’ll be surprised at the answer you get.  If you take the brother’s cousin’s aunt’s neighbor route, there are assessment tools big name virtualization Vendors provide to assist you.
  • Not all environments have the backbone to be virtualized.  Make that determination before implementation.
  • When we are talking about virtualizing, we are NOT suggesting you need to virtualize your entire infrastructure ALTHOUGH there are cost-savings in eliminating as many physical servers as possible .  The beauty of virtualization is that you at least have the flexibility.
  • For those of you that have a BDR solution implemented explore the options your virtualization Vendor of choice offers.  By implementing their cohesive backup products for a virtual infrastructure you could save lots of money.

You know, any more in IT it’s about picking your poison.  Sure you can side-swipe the costs of innovating but you better believe you’re paying for it one way or another;  if you aren’t already, you will be very soon.

Chat later,

BVR

Referenced in this article: http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/testdrive/article.php/3872826/6-Tips-to-Better-Small-Business-Server-Virtualization.htm

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Keep It Between the Lines

20 Apr

As a woman in the workplace with a toddler and husband at home I’m a firm believer in “keeping things between the lines.”  I first heard this concept back in my collegiate athlete days.  It was a worthless practice -we’d been doing line drills for two hours straight and you could see the fury in our coach’s eyes.  We were coming up on the four-hour end of this torturous morning but the worst part was yet to come.

The whistle blew, we all hustled to center court, with our last breaths available.  With our hands on our hips (we weren’t allowed to drop to our knees) we listened to what coach had to say, “Get out and be back here in two hours.  For those of you uninterested in practice this morning – you remember one thing – keep it between the lines.”  Welcome to D1 basketball, the worst day EVER and one of the best lessons I’ve ever learned.

Gotta love a trip down memory lane.  Anyways, I just finished up an article titled, IT Administrators Experience High Stress Levels.  I think “Fill in the Blank Experience High Stress Levels” may have been more appropriate…who isn’t stress visiting on a regular basis, right?  But considering the substance within the article, an IT Administrators stress survey,  I suppose it’s appropriate.

The survey numbers among SMBs and MidMarket were pretty astounding.  Check them out here.

But the big kicker and what took me straight back to that dreadful day was the statistics revolving around work and personal.  Nearly 85 percent of respondents feel as though their job has impacted their personal life in some way including loss of sleep, social functions, time with their children – even health has become an issue.

Now to me these are astounding numbers because as a services and solution provider it’s our job – our livelihood more or less – to eliminate or to greatly reduce these stress levels.  Clearly, we have A LOT of work to do and clearly we’re the farthest thing from keeping things between the lines.

The three biggest stress-inducing culprits for those surveyed??   Management, tight deadlines and the users they support.

Unfortunately my skills aren’t in stress-relief however I was fortunate enough to come up with one conclusion.  It’s all comes down to performance.  If everything worked like it was supposed to – you’d get some sleep at night and I wouldn’t have endured that pathetic eight hours of practice.

Easy right?  No, absolutely not.  If everything “just worked” we’d all be wearing glass slippers and riding into the sunset on our royal horses.  Folks, your IT environment is much like your employees or ‘your team’.  There are lots of components; lots of players and as cliché as it is, just like your team, your IT infrastructure is only as strong as its weakest component.  If management, tight deadlines and supporting users are what’s hindering our ability to separate professional from personal then lets fix them.

Here are a few Tech Tip(s) to get you started.

In the MANAGEMENT realm:

  1. BACKUP your data. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and backing it up does NOT include a USB.  Tape backups today are almost just as unreliable so start considering Vendors in the BDR space as a positive and cost-effective alternative.
  2. Stop relying on your cousin’s brother’s sister’s husband, the family computer guru, to fix your IT problems.  No disrespect, but being an expert at World of Warcraft does NOT make a person certified in break/fix, implementation or even consultation.

In regards to TIGHT DEADLINES:

  1. Build a business plan that involves one of the most important factors in the success of it – your technology, and be specific.  By having a definition of where you are going in the realm of IT, the better chances you have of meeting deadlines.

As far as SUPPORTING USERS go:

  1. Implement training.  Employees that don’t know how to use their tools are going to have more problems than those that do, plain and simple.  Requiring simple training can eliminate a lot of the little one-offs your business doesn’t have time for.
  2. Provide a support ticket hierarchy.  Determine which issues take precedence over others and resolve them in that order.
  3. Find a trusted partner, even if you have IT personnel, this leverage can be game-changing.  One person can’t know everything so build some resources.

Let’s face it – every  business has their own set of culprits because every business is different.  Some of you have IT departments, some of you don’t.  Some of you have 99 users, some only 10.  Some have weaker components than others.  My biggest advice, ACCEPT that technology works for you – not against you.  If you’re constantly battling that concept, THAT right there is your biggest culprit and the reason you can’t keep it between the lines.

 

Chat later,

BVR

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PLEASE, Don’t Jump!

13 Apr

We just recently hosted a Webinar on Lenovo mobility products. The idea behind the Webinar was to shed some light into a brand that many businesses don’t consider when it comes to mobilizing their business.  As a reseller of Lenovo products and solutions, we obviously see the gap and a fit in the market.  I mean we don’t blindly pick teams because we like their colors.

Before I decided this was a must-have Webinar, I was continually asked – is there a product, and by product I mean tablet, on the market that can compete with Apple.  Being in the commercial (not CONSUMER, remember that) market ultimately this question confused me.  Why are we competing with Apple – we shouldn’t be BUT that doesn’t mean we weren’t.

As a consumer, of course Apple is going to have a leg-up on the competition.  When you’re first to market and your product works, you’re going to take a majority (cough, all) of the market share.  In the past, this was also the only option for businesses.  Now the past is coming back and haunting us because even though we have options, we choose the iPad because, a. we don’t know any better or because b. that’s what everyone else is doing.

I’m not going to deny it, the iPad as a consumer product -  shatters the competition.  Hell, our president at Erb’s owns one, and I’m not so sure many others in our company don’t as well.  I’ll never forget the day I received an e-mail from him and at the bottom I read, “sent from my iPad 2.”  I’m also not going to tell you that you made the wrong decision by choosing the iPad.  What I am going to tell you is that Apple is not in business for commercial business- and they’ve even admitted it.

“During his years at the company, Steve Jobs never cared much for selling Apple products to big businesses. He so disliked the process of catering to the needs of business, rather than those of consumers, that he called chief information officers in corporations “orifices” at a conference in 2005.”

I’m NOT here to bash Apple’s capabilities in business – even after their so-called “we’re warming up to the business market” b.s.   You’re…what?  You’re warming up? Gee, thanks.

While I may have some heavy opinions, I’m more interested in one thing.  When a company actually admits to being  consumer-based and openly expresses their lack of business interest- WHY WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT THE TECHNOLOGY THAT DOESN’T HAVE YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART; “there’s no other options” is no longer an excuse either.  This alone is disheartening.  It’s like telling your 2nd born that they aren’t as good as your 1st born because you had him or her first.  Come on.

I’ll tell you why, it really goes back to the age-old adage, if Jimmy jumped off the bridge, would you too?

Getting back to mobility and tablets business isn’t about sexy it’s about ROI, it’s about efficiency, it’s about productivity, growth, cost-savings and so on.  The iPad might make you look good – and yeah maybe it can give you and your business the capabilities you think you need – BUT think about this.  You don’t have the SUPPORT.  When IT is a foreign concept, support is almost if not more important than the product itself.

If you’re still not convinced – the least you can do is make an educated decision.  Here are some Tech Tip(s) when it’s time to go mobile and picking a device to take you there.

  • Determine the use of your devices, and be specific.  Will these be used for reporting, sales calls, etc.?  All tablets, while they carry the same concept, can work very differently.
  • Different departments will have different needs. Choose a device that meets a MAJORITY of your needs.  Many times there is an app that can be downloaded that will make-up for folks that get jipped.
  • Consider accessories- protective cases, backup power supplies, will you be docking your device? And so on.
  • SECURITY! It doesn’t matter what logo is on your device – mobile means you’re accessing the internet outside your protected network.  Check out my security blog for further information about securing your devices.
  • How often do you use a USB?  There a very few devices that have a USB port.
  • Consider the Operating System (not bashing Apple here) – just how compatible do you need to be?  Many business applications don’t support Apple’s OS.
  • Tablets DO NOT and should not take the place of desktops or for some even a laptop.  All of these devices have a purpose. Prioritize these purposes.
  • ALWAYS ask if you can demo the product before you buy it.  In many cases, businesses come to us after it’s too late.

Going mobile isn’t an easy task.  If I can leave you with anything after today’s blog – it’s that this is about your business.  You need to choose a Vendor and a product that GETS YOUR BUSINESS.  The tablet market has exploded -you need to choose the team that has the FUTURE of your business at heart.

Just remember, you have options.  Explore them.

Chat later,

BVR

Disclaimer: Today’s blog isn’t promoting or negating any brand of tablet but only referencing the idea that businesses need a business-class tablet.  Here are a few additional resources to help you along the way.

Tablet Comparison Chart: http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/

How Useful are Tablets for Business http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216376/how_useful_are_tablets_for_business.html

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You Get What You Pay For

6 Apr

Last week I went on a tangent about how totally awesome and actually very sensible a Hardware as a Service offering is.  Since then,  we’ve been working diligently to produce collateral and leverage to support our team as we hit the streets preaching the capabilities.  Of course right along-side that comes integral training we put the team through so they are not only ready to pitch our offering but know it better than they know themselves.

Typically when I go through this process I become my biggest critic and consider potential objections.  I then try to formulate valid explanations or rework, well, my work basically.  Many times when it comes to ‘selling’ or after I’ve unknowingly managed to take on the responsibility of insuring the team not only has the tools to be a threat but also that they understand what kind of threat they can be, I go through the sales objection process.

What is the team going to be faced with as they pitch this to potential candidates?  What are going to be our biggest push backs?  I asked the experts, solution providers who have been in the business for a few years now, and you know what they came back with?  Crickets.  Okay, that’s not entirely true, there’s always something right?  Interesting enough, however, there weren’t many.  One thing that came up for discussion, resonated with me and immediately managed to make its way on to the nearest post-it was  price shopping.  It was determined that this isn’t a relevant objection to HaaS but rather a fore-founding concept that assisted in the creation of it.

Let’s talk price shopping – especially in today’s economy, please.  This is one of those concepts, much like unpredictability, that I could live with out.  We should really clarify something upfront.  Do I price shop in my everyday life?  Yes.  Do I regret it 90% of the time.  Absolutely.

For a real-life and timely example, I”m literally following this blog up with throwing out our Black Friday bar stools we purchased.  We bought them cheap (actually we waited to buy them cheap), they have zero value, no warranty (if they did, it wouldn’t have lasted longer than the chairs themselves) and guess what they’re POS’s.

We’re all victims, yes I said victims, of price shopping.  We’re victims because more times than not our time, our efforts, all of our hard work, research and so on usually ends up wasted, and the money we saved up front ends up costing us in the end.  The more I see this price shopping mentality in the information technology space, the more obvious it is to me that businesses don’t really understand that they are buying more than just a PC or a server.  So how do we get past the number?  Here’s a few Tech Tip(s) to help you out:

  • You will ALWAYS get what you pay for.  PERIOD.
  • Technology is not a piece of merchandise is a tool; treat it that way.
  • When prices increase on product or labor rates change it’s not because the industry is bored and can’t find anything better to do, it’s because there’s been a feature enhancement or an upgrade that’s implemented to increase YOUR productivity; to help you make more money.
  • If at the end of the day it still comes down to money – AFTER you’ve re-examined all of your priorities (many times you could be saving money in one area that you could be utilizing in another area you didn’t even consider), think about the level of support you’ll get when shopping at the big box stores and resellers.
  • REMEMBER, every day passed a piece of equipment’s life cycle is a day you’re losing money.  When you think you can’t spend the upfront cost, think about this – you’re spending the money on obsolete technology anyways.
  • You will ALWAYS get what you pay for. PERIOD.  (Yes, this is a duplicate.)

There’s a reason there are industry-leaders.  There’s a reason there are preferred brands, products and so on.  It’s because someone, somewhere got something right.  Price shopping and getting the best deal up front might feel rewarding at first but there’s a pretty great chance you’ll make up for it somewhere along the line – most likely sooner than later.

Chat later,

BVR

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