Specialists in the IT sphere as well as other people are always potential clients of any software manufacturer. Engineers, accountants, architects, designers, programmers, people who start home-business and other specialists in any sphere today use a computer. But the hardware is not enough in order to work on a PC or Mac. People need software but only a minority can afford buying full versions together with necessary plugins and add-ons. Great if you work in a corporation on in a firm where “everything [software tools] is already installed“. But where is an exit from the situation when you have to buy, say, Windows XP or Mac OS, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and other? Away with questions – let’s look through possible variants of solving this issue:

1) Buy any software you need directly from a manufacturer;
2) use trial versions of a brand-name company software limited in functionality;
3) try to find a similar software tool at a less famous manufacturer;
4) download pirated software from “underground” hacker-sites (illegal);
5) download cheap oem software from manufacturers’ affiliates or third-party suppliers.

The first option requires a “fat purse” of a client. Ideally in order to operate a PC or Mac, to make presentations, write and send letters, watch films, burn data CD’s, listen to music and so on you need to spend thousands of dollars even if you limit yourself in your desires as well as the functions of your computer. A license even for your operating system costs more than 500$. Are you able to afford this? Yes? Then go on and enjoy fully functional brand-name software, receive free periodical updates, get a discount for a later version and receive technical and software support.

Trial versions of software from the great manufacturers like Adobe, Microsoft, Corel and other are available for download free of charge. Though you get a limited functionality and a trial period of working (from 15 till 60 days from the 1st launch), you may then decide whether you really need these programs or not. Trial software is demo programs – no great difference.
The third option is also a possible variant if you say “No” to the first two. Some software tools have open sources and any firm can make their own “brand” and money by a transformation of it. Such software is cheaper than from “the giants” of software development. But the functions are few and the new versions of software come out very rare.

It’s not a secret to anyone anymore that in the Internet you can find everything… This applies even to high cost brand software - you can get it for free! together with viruses, trojans and other harmful programs. Moreover, this is illegal and be ready then to dreadful consequences.

Consider one more option – OEM software. First of all, what is “oem software”? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer . In general it is 100% fully functional software. But it lacks manuals, promo-discs and bulk-boxes. Consider if you really need them. It may lack live support as well as registration from a manufacturer because the license for this software has “already expired of wasn’t intended for second-hand buyers”. So, you may conclude that firms that sell oem software get it from other sources, not directly from a manufacturer. But where does it come from? Well, for instance, oem software comes from auctions, from special resellers of older versions of software, from other users who do not need this software anymore. That is why it is so cheap. Sometimes the price for oem software is no more than 5-10% of a nominal manufacturer’s price. And at the same time you may be sure that it is really LEGAL though you can’t register it anymore and receive updates, but for such a low sum – it is really marvelous.

Many people sometimes do not believe in legal oem software and they have grounds for it: some web-sites that are selling software products name them oem but in reality they are selling pirated non-working software or trial versions that you may get for free. Beware of such firms!

Mike Zhmudikov is a copywriter of Software Sales Ltd. - the leading oem software store that sells downloadable oem software at the lowest price worldwide.
http://www.ankhsoft.com

Microsoft Great Plains is now standard mid-market ERP application, serving the whole spectrum of businesses. In the case of mid-size business we usually see strong IT team with SQL querying skills plus accounting department is already trained to use Great Plains and needs minimal help in figuring out on how to use new Great Plains version and features. In this situation company may leverage it’s work force strength and minimize ERP application support cost. This is the goal of Microsoft Business Solutions and the philosophy of future computer systems. In this situation - in our opinion - there is no need to have expensive local support when consultants are coming to you on regular basis and spend at least four hours onsite, charging somewhat close to $200 per hour.

Also, please take into consideration the fact that consulting companies have to train new hires to do the job, and formal training should be supplemented with serving to real customer. Below we give you your options to support Great Plains with minimized support cost.

Minimizing upgrade/migration cost. It is not a secret that Microsoft Business Solutions VAR has to maintain it’s cash flow. It is often conflicts with your interests. Have Great Plains partner to trigger you Microsoft promotions on Migrations/Upgrade/Placing you back to enhancement program. Do not succumb to reseller attempt to sell you migration with list price.

Local Partner - is it the best and cost effective way? First, place yourself into local partner shoes. When he is fighting to win your business - he is competing against other local vars - they are using traditional sales&marketing techniques: trade shows, expensive permanent sales people to do cold calls and then presentations onsite. This will drive following hourly consulting rates to the sky. Nationwide small partner usually does its marketing over the internet and this is only few percent of the revenue. Another thing to consider - nationwide partner doesn’t have to come to you and have onsite meeting - it is all done over the phone.

Do you have complex customization? If you do - you need to know that local partners are making substantial revenue on customization upgrade. At the same time they do not specialize in customizations - they have to deal with broad range of issues with their clients. I would guess - you would rather appeal to specialist who is dealing with customizations on the daily basis. The same comment is relevant for upgrade and migration.

Do I need consultant? It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade. We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases

Good luck in self-support and if you have issues or concerns – we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, based in Chicago, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Canada, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally (www.albaspectrum.com), he is CMA, Great Plains Certified Master, Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer. You can contact Andrew: andrewk@albaspectrum.com; akarasev@albaspectrum.com