[LINK] Technology in Retail

[Robert Hart]

Con Zymaris wrote:

>Selling Linux in a boxed set is too hard. Don't bother trying to sell
>Linux in a boxed set. 
>
Hmmm

It's hard but not too hard. We did this at Red Hat until mid 2000. 
However, it does require significant effort to make sure that the retail 
channel is run correctly and stocked correctly. One misstep can result 
in significant problems.

It became clear in 2000 that Red Hat could do better in margin and 
revenue terms with its resources by pushing harder in the services 
(including training) sector - and when you are publicly traded, that's a 
major issue.

Believe me, there was a great deal of soul searching and internal 
screaming when that decision was being made!

-- 
Robert Hart                                      hartr at interweft.com.au
+61 (0)438 385 533
Brisbane, Australia                        http://www.hart.wattle.id.au