I discussed the various pieces of the computer and how to select good ones. The idea was that the admin in the business needing the server would be the one custom building it. Many companies, however, don't want to build or specify component selection, because they don't have the expertise or confidence to do so. While I still maintain that there is no better way to gain a really thorough knowledge of the computer equipment that you manage, some organizations are only interested in purchasing pre-built systems. So, this month I'm going to discuss issues a company should consider when purchasing hardware from clone dealers.
Personal computers used for businesses generally originate from four sources today.
Large companies also prefer to do this because, should the IS staffer leave the company, it's easier to find a replacement who's comfortable with name-brand hardware. Direct marketers usually make their money by targeting a very narrow hardware configuration, with few software options, and selling high volume. It is also not uncommon to see prices only vary by a small percentage over the years. Generally, these people sell hardware at a higher cost. While an entire column could be written on the topic of managing VARs, what it boils down to is rather simple.