On Fri, Dec 27, 2002 at 12:41:33AM -0800, Tom Carroll <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > [...] > And while we're on the topic of business sense - What is Mitel's > business model for SME? Is it to provide a superior product because it > can, or is it to provide a superior product to generate a profit? Not > that it really matters to me.
Both. We set out to build a solid business server and gateway distribution as there was no similar distribution in existence at the time. We have a small development team and focus on implementing the features we can implement in the time available, well, while providing an open environment in which others can develop their favourite add-on. We would prefer to implement fewer features well than more features badly - the alternative doesn't benefit our customers and it hits us hard in support costs. There is obviously a real tension here - the more you build, the more you have to support. BTW the implementation cost doesn't change much whether a feature is built in-house or through incorporating an existing contrib - we still have to test, document, train, translate, and support each new feature. > It would not surprise me if I found out that E-Smith came about due to > someone wanting to provide a superior product because they could. I > have been wrong before... e-smith/SME Server has always been a commercial venture. That isn't inconsistent with doing it well...the inconsistency arises when your support load outstrips your ability to deliver anything new - and it's very easy to get into that position. We minimise our support costs by strictly controlling what we install and strictly controlling how the installed software is used - keeping the primary goal of a business server in mind. I shudder at the thought of having to support _any_ piece of software found on any of 5+ CDs in typical distros. Anyway, I think we're way off-topic now - maybe we should close this thread? Gordon -- Gordon Rowell [EMAIL PROTECTED] Director, Engineering Network Server Solutions Group http://www.e-smith.com/ Mitel Networks Corporation http://www.mitel.com/smallbusiness -- Please report bugs to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] (only) to discuss security issues Support for registered customers and partners to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Searchable archive at http://www.mail-archive.com/devinfo%40lists.e-smith.org
