tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post8167934936432776393..comments2024-03-27T21:40:39.130-07:00Comments on Small Biz Thoughts by Karl W. Palachuk: Karl's 2010 SMB Roadmap Part 1 - The Destruction of The ChannelKarl W. Palachukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854725002875547297noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-56848304009947289322010-03-29T11:00:49.821-07:002010-03-29T11:00:49.821-07:00Karl- If you really want to share, could you kindl...Karl- If you really want to share, could you kindly explain how you are making "just as much or more by moving people onto cloud services rather than selling them managed services on boxes". It just does not add up to me.<br />Sean AtkinsonAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021837819477011143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-45294894694790328642010-03-27T07:20:00.516-07:002010-03-27T07:20:00.516-07:00Jay, this discuss is about small and medium busine...Jay, this discuss is about small and medium business, not the "enterprise" giants. At the same time, enterprises are moving very quickly to both virtualization in-house and outsourcing to cloud services.<br /><br />The in-house I.T. position will be under more stress for downsizing in the next five years than it has ever experienced.<br /><br />Think about it. If my little client can spend $10,000 less in capital expenditure today by turning technology into an operating expense, how easy is it for a company with thousands of serves to save millions of dollars.Karl W. Palachukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854725002875547297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-71420619630169336012010-03-27T07:15:43.363-07:002010-03-27T07:15:43.363-07:00Amy, why should we be careful about not sharing? I...Amy, why should we be careful about not sharing? I didn't think I'd every hear that from you.Karl W. Palachukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854725002875547297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-79173200687958164632010-03-26T16:56:22.335-07:002010-03-26T16:56:22.335-07:00As a friend of Karl's, and ISV who plays in th...As a friend of Karl's, and ISV who plays in the SMB and enterprise space, his predictions are correct and saliant. <br /><br />We have had to adjust our business model, address the impact of the Cloud and re-evaluate what Channels and means we sell our software through. <br /><br />It's not all gloom and doom hwoever. It's merely the ongoing evolution of technology. And with problems and the loss of technologies in some areas, come opportunities in others. Some will seize it. Other will be left behind. <br /><br />Derek De Vette<br />VP Global Alliances / Partner Affairs at Diskeeper CorporationUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188197205461050971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-44667988906629246702010-03-26T10:40:23.396-07:002010-03-26T10:40:23.396-07:00This is a great post...only one notable thing miss...This is a great post...only one notable thing missing in my opinion: An explanation of how these timelines compute with human behavior.<br /><br />I know Karl is well aware that thin client computing has been around since the first mainframe powered up...and companies like Gartner have been predicting doom and gloom for the hw/sw industry all through the 90's and 00's.<br /><br />I firmly believe in the promise of the cloud and the future you envision, however your 12-24 month horizon should be revised to 12-24 years to be more accurate.<br /><br />If you understand enterprise customers like you profess to, you will understand how they plan short, medium and long term and how breakthrough technologies take a decade to work themselves into corporate america.<br /><br />I know it doesn't make the blog as exciting....but alarmist, chicken little type rhetoric doesn't rush the future here faster.<br /><br />Let's keep the debate going...Jay McBainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16359684915060570675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-44286118594040562492010-03-26T10:26:51.360-07:002010-03-26T10:26:51.360-07:00Amy hit the nail. I am a former IT specialist who...Amy hit the nail. I am a former IT specialist who turned business owner (not in the IT field). As a small business owner, I will tell you that we couldn't care less about what hardware, software or cloud you sell us. Those are just tools. If I hire someone to build a porch for me, I don't care what kind of hammer or nails he uses - I care that I get a quality place to relax outside.<br /><br />IT specialist need to wrap their heads around the idea that they are selling productivity and efficiency. They are selling advice. Business owners will pay for that.<br /><br />I think many IT specialists need to change their paradigm to that of a consultant and begin adapting to that business model - it is a whole different ball game.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11132631789312033214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-3968678966609547082010-03-26T09:26:42.635-07:002010-03-26T09:26:42.635-07:00This feels like great news. This is a crowded spac...This feels like great news. This is a crowded space, crowded with a lot of technicians who shouldn't be business owners.<br /><br />There are so many LOB app vendors who are moving or wanting to move to a hosted model, helping clients decide when the time is right and helping them with the legal ramifications of their client's privacy etc. These are good problems because we are uniquely positioned to be their technical expertise.<br /><br />We'll still be getting value helping lead clients through what's best for them, which for some time will be a mix of locally installed and web based solutions. The trick will be how we charge for what we do. Obviously, per server/per workstation doesn't do it, but there will still be value in what we do, because the client (most clients) aren't going to simply point and click and get the technology they need, they'll need help deciding which technology they need to point and click on.<br /><br /><br />Thanks Karl, keep up the good blogs.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11927088071502204318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-29964519479133742362010-03-25T14:16:40.511-07:002010-03-25T14:16:40.511-07:00The secret sauce is how Karl is making just as muc...The secret sauce is how Karl is making just as much or more by moving people onto cloud services rather than selling them managed services on boxes. What's in the sauce? For the first time I think that IT consultants actually have to be careful sharing this information. I'm sticking to my prediction that 80% of IT firms will go out of business in the next 5 years, actually think we're down to 4 now. I would guess that 20% already have.Amy - Harbor Computer Serviceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03065149612190868330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-82142481307378488302010-03-25T12:57:09.520-07:002010-03-25T12:57:09.520-07:00Sorry for the previous post. I hit Publish before...Sorry for the previous post. I hit Publish before it was time to do so.<br /><br />Vlad, I doubt that this blog post would cause any real fans to leave. If anyone leaves because of what Karl said, they are most likely the descendants of buggy whip and quill pen manufacturers :>). Truth be told, this post should be required reading for everyone in our community. <br /><br />Karl, thanks for continuing to put this message out where people can find it. You perform more public service in a single post than our government does in a single year, and you do it on a much smaller budget and with a staff of none. Truly amazing. <br /><br />Now for that stupid FTC disclaimer. I know Karl. I have actually met him in person. We work together sometimes. We like each other. We've swapped corny jokes. I'm not being paid to say this. We sometimes go to lunch together and take turns paying. Did I miss anything? If so, tough (fill in the blank with the word of YOUR choice) :>) And yes, I think that whole disclaimer idea is incredibly stupid. Thank you, Nanny State, for absolutely nothing.Bob Nitriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653745876381550390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-69391470616957741632010-03-25T12:44:50.976-07:002010-03-25T12:44:50.976-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Bob Nitriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653745876381550390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-64807269680037285422010-03-25T11:19:02.704-07:002010-03-25T11:19:02.704-07:00You could have just linked back to my blog circa 2...You could have just linked back to my blog circa 2008. Would saved you losing a lot of fans :)<br /><br />-VladVlad Mazekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05613073111629014683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22311364.post-85624513119622751502010-03-25T10:59:45.403-07:002010-03-25T10:59:45.403-07:00Karl, I think you are Dead On! Pun intended. I...Karl, I think you are Dead On! Pun intended. I'm an SBSC that works with very small/micro businesses. I've been thinking along the same lines for quite some time now. Pending changes in the SBSC world only lead to support and confirm your observations.<br /><br />Looking forward to the server installment next.<br /><br />Have a Great Day,<br />Rusty LeeRusty Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537533222680524621noreply@blogger.com