Big Blues numbers not so big
Tidal Waves (CRN)
Lawrence Walsh writes that IBM’s latest financial indicate it has failed to take the biggest tech company crown from HP, and its hardware sales aren’t exactly overpowering. But, as Walsh puts it, so what?
“Big Blue’s biggest gains were in consulting through its IBM Global Services unit, which saw sales jump 55 percent on the strength of more than $17.8 billion in new contracts.
Notice anything familiar? Services and software are continuing to make major strides in place of the evaporated hardware margins. IBM recognized long ago that professional services have sustainable, recurring revenue streams where hardware — and even software — will eventually commoditize. This is something solution providers have recognized for the same reason, and are seeing new benefits, as well,” writes Walsh.
What’s your opinion?
Vista – giant pain in the neck?
Shared software, shared processes (ZDNet)
With everyone gassing about the potential revenues and pitfalls attached to a major upgrade like Vista, Dana Blankenhorn stops to think about why we don’t see much in the way of Linux upgrades.
“Open source does not work this way. Open source upgrades happen either when they have to, as in the case of a security hole, or when dictated by a wealth of new features.
The idea of ‘more trouble than it’s worth’ is stood on its head by this process. The source of the trouble shifts, from the balance sheet to the user. The idea of worth also shifts, from the producer of software to its consumer.
Imagine if, in the proprietary era, Microsoft launched a major Windows upgrade while its main rival stood still. That would be advantage Microsoft. Under the present system it may well be advantage Linux.”
What’s your opinion?
OS X . . . coming soon to your PC
Nerd Approved
Nerd Approved dug up a CNN report that suggests that the Macintosh operating system could one day be running wild and free in the kingdom of Gates. Will anyone actually approve of this? Apparently, it’s an accident.
“While Steve Jobs will undoubtedly resist the idea of OSX running on non-Mac hardware, CNN points out that there is already huge pressure being placed on the company to break away from its proprietary way of thinking. The bottom line is that Apple is going to have to cooperate at some point – this sort of functionality on a PC is an inevitability. It is only a matter of time before the lines between Mac owners and PC owners will begin to blur.”
What’s your opinion?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to Jim
Time Leadership
The channel’s hardest working blogger comes in with an entry on what it means to delegate properly.
According to Jim Estill: “Delegation is based on respect. You need to respect the person to whom you delegate. They, in turn, will not want to do the tasks, unless they respect you.
The best way to delegate in in person. Giving someone a task face-to-face is ideal because you can get a sense of the person you are dealing with. You can tell if someone is happy to do a task for you, or if they are actually resentful. Establishing the bounds of your delegating relationship is important.”
What’s your opinion?
