Nicely put, Bryan...
I agree....
Adolph Santorine Schedule Star
At 03:26 PM 10/25/2004, you wrote:
Renee,
Please express my dissatisfaction to your management team.
Everything I am about to say is not directed at you, so don't take it personal. Please pass this along to whoever needs to hear it.
I have been an IMail user for three years. As a small ISP in Western Kentucky, I cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars per year to upgrade to this software. As I've told you before, my antivirus and junkmail solution costs around $300/year. I am using Declude and eTrust Antivirus. This solution is very cost-effective compared to your $4500/year antivirus, and it is customizable. There are things we can do with Declude that you don't even have features for. I know what you will say to this - just don't install the IMail Antivirus. But that is ridiculous. I should not be forced to pay thousands of dollars extra for optional software that I don't need.
I also think it is sad that by doing this, you will be putting Declude out of business, a company built around your product, that has only helped to promote and increase sales of your product by adding features (junkmail and antivirus) that you guys didn't have available until recently. If it weren't for Declude selling the junk mail and antivirus filtering add-ons for IMail, I guarantee you would have never got my business, because as an ISP, I can't afford to use e-mail without those features. I would imagine the same thing will be said by a large portion of your customer base.
I will have to agree - I am sure I would like the other parts of ICS. I'm sure they are great. But I think it is ludicrous and absurd to force customers like me to buy and pay for all of them just to continue using the one product I have been using all along - IMail Server.
Do you realize what this is the equivalent of? It's the equivalent of the phone company saying - "We're so glad you're our telephone customer. Thank you for your business. But in order to continue using our phone service, you must also purchase a cell phone, pager, unlimited nationwide long distance, and internet service from us. For your convenience, we are going to package them on one bill, which will increase from $30 to $150. But you don't have to use any of these optional features - Just turn off the cell phone, don't call long distance, and don't connect to the internet if you don't need it. But anytime you choose to use it, all you have to do is push a button, because you'll be paying for them every month."
I will not be upgrading to ICS for two reasons. First, I think it's an arrogant move on Ipswitch's part to assume that we as customers can't live without IMail Server, so we will fork over thousands of dollars more just to keep it. Second, I simply can't afford it.
I also think it was pretty low to e-mail me and encourage me to renew my service agreement a week before the new product was coming out, knowing that I would not be receiving the new version of IMail since there will be no new version of IMail. I have heard from several people on the IMail forum who are furious about this practice as well.
Unless things are switched back to the old pricing model - paying for only the features you want - I will be looking for new e-mail software when this last stand-alone version of IMail is no longer functional enough to meet my ISP's needs.
Sincerely, Bryan E. Martin, President Ziggycom Online, Inc.
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 1:49 PM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Good Afternoon Bryan -
You can't renew your service agreement because we are discontinuing IMail Server as a standalone product. You can keep using IMail as long as you like. Switching to ICS will get you all the latest updates and new messaging and collaboration features as we continue to develop it. If you use ICS, you have the option to install only the e-mail part, but we think you'll like the other parts, too.
Regards,
Renee Breckenridge Service Sales Representative Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ipswitch.com
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 2:30 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
* So then are you saying I will be unable to buy new versions of IMail without buying the Antivirus software as well? * Since purchasing a service agreement comes with free product updates for a year, there will be no purpose in me purchasing a service agreement unless I want tech support, since you're changing the product line, right?
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 8:27 AM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Brian -
Yes - ICS provides; E-mail, discussion lists, protection from spam and viruses, instant messaging, and shared calendars and global contacts when using Outlook all backed up with a one-year Service Agreement.
IMail's functionality has been incorporated into the Ipswitch Collaboration Suite and is no longer offered on an individual basis for new purchases or for renewals. Imail is now only offered as a part of the Ipswitch Collaboration Suite.
Ipswitch is offering customers of Imail, a limited-time opportunity to purchase Ipswitch Collaboration Suite at a deeply discounted price.
Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade Standard Edition, 25 users $595 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Standard Edition, 100 users $1,295 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Standard Edition, 250 users $2,495 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Standard Edition, unlimited users $4,995
Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade Premium Edition, 25 users $695 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Premium Edition, 100 users $1,495 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Premium Edition, 250 users $2,995 Ipswitch Collaboration Suite Crossgrade, Premium Edition, unlimited users $5,995
* Is shared calendaring and Outlook integration a new feature of IMail Server, since IMail Server already does calendaring and e-mail?
*****Shared Calendaring is integrated into the Collaboration product.
* If so, can't we just get an update / patch to our existing IMail Server software?
****Sorry, no you can't.
* If not and it's an add-on like Mail-To-Fax or Antivirus, how much will that feature retail on its own?
****It is not an Add On. Shared Calendaring is integrated into the Collaboration product.
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 2:56 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
I am running IMail Server Pro with Unlimited Users. I already have my own antivirus solution which costs around $300/year. Ipswitch's options for antivirus protection are $4499/year for Premium and $2249/year for Standard.
ICS is not a separate package from IMail, is it? ICS includes the e-mail server, the antivirus software, the instant messaging server, and the shared calendars. Basically, the only NEW feature in all of this is the shared calendars & integration with Outlook, right?
Looking at ICS features on the PowerPoint: * E-mail messaging powered by IMail Server * Secure Instant Messaging * Group Discussion List Server * Customizable Web mail * Shared Calendars and meeting scheduling with Outlook * Anti-Spam protection * Anti-Virus Protection * Secure, Multi-Lingual, Customizable Web mail
They can be rearranged / grouped like this:
IMail Server (what I already have): * E-mail messaging powered by IMail Server * Group Discussion List Server * Customizable Web mail * Anti-Spam protection * Secure, Multi-Lingual, Customizable Web mail
What I can purchase as a separate option on your website: * Secure Instant Messaging (Ipswitch Messenger) * Anti-Virus Protection
New Feature: * Shared Calendars and meeting scheduling with Outlook
Here is a rundown of the costs we would be looking at on a new install: IMail Server Pro Unlimited w/Service Agreement ($1940) IMail Antivirus Standard Edition Unlimited ($2249) Ipswitch Instant Messaging with Service Agreement ($840)
This totals $5029.00. Which means I could buy every feature of ICS except shared calendaring for that price. You are selling all these features, plus the new shared calendaring feature for $8995.00. The difference in price is $3966, which in my assumption must be the estimated value Ipswitch places on the new shared calendaring feature.
If you looked at the premium antivirus, the total cost on a new install would be $7279, selling for $9995 with shared calendaring, which leaves a difference of $2716.
Having said all that...
I already own IMail Server. I don't need the Antivirus, which is an optional feature. I can buy the Instant Messaging server for $840. The only new feature I need is the shared calendaring.
* Is shared calendaring and Outlook integration a new feature of IMail Server, since IMail Server already does calendaring and e-mail? * If so, can't we just get an update / patch to our existing IMail Server software? * If not and it's an add-on like Mail-To-Fax or Antivirus, how much will that feature retail on its own?
Thanks, Bryan
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:21 PM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
1. The shared calendaring and Instant Messaging are included in both Standard and Premium. The only difference between the Standard and Premium Editions would be the Anti Virus.
The Premium Anti Virus: Symantec's Scan Server technology utilizes their Live Update Technology which does not require an interruption of the services. It also is designed to quickly scan for viruses and is ideal for high traffic environments.
The Standard Anti Virus : Bit Defender is more for low traffic environments and requires that you interrupt the services when applying a Server update. To apply Live Virus definition updates you would need to implement Bit Defender's command line utility named "AVUpdate.exe"
2. The ICS product comes with the following core features: IMail Server, Instant Messaging, Anti-Virus Premium, Shared calendaring, Global address books and a one-year Service Agreement.
If you do not wish to use the Anti Virus part of ICS, you can choose not to install that program.
3. You stated $3,000. Can I ask what version and user level you were looking at?
Thanks - Renee
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 1:13 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Ok, I have a few questions... * If we want shared calendaring & instant messaging, we'll have to do the Premium edition, right? * Does the antivirus software come with this? (We already have something in place and don't use the IMail/Symantec virus protection.) * Can I get the collaboration software without the antivirus, if so? We don't need it, which is why we have never bought it. I pay around $300/year for the antivirus stuff we use - I would rather not pay $3,000...
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:04 PM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Actually - they put together a nice Power Point presentation. I have attached the presentation.
If you have questions, please let me know.
Thanks - Renee
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:55 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Thanks!
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 11:54 AM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
No, it does not require a service agreement.
Let me put some information together for you. I'll email it to you shortly.
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:51 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Sure - does it require the service agreement?
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 11:50 AM To: Bryan E. Martin Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Bryan -
I am glad that you sent your issues to me. While I'm not in Technical Support, I would be willing to assist you with trying to reach support and to work with you and Technical Support to get your problems resolved. In the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.
ICS (Collaboration) is officially being release this Monday. Would you like me to send you some information?
Best Regards,
Renee Breckenridge Service Sales Representative Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ipswitch.com
-----Original Message----- From: Bryan E. Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:40 PM To: 'Renee Breckenridge' Subject: RE: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Renee,
I will probably hold off on purchasing a service agreement until Ipswitch comes out with a product update that requires a paid subscription. I have not had good experience with the support department. They have been unable, and almost unwilling to help me with several major problems that impaired the operation of my ISP, which I ended up having to figure out how to fix myself. I know that is not your fault - I just wanted to let you know why.
Do you know when Ipswitch is planning on releasing the update with the collaboration tools?
Thanks, Bryan E. Martin Ziggycom Online, Inc.
-----Original Message----- From: Renee Breckenridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 11:04 AM To: Bryan Martin Subject: Imail Service Agreement Expiration
Dear Bryan -
My name is Renee Breckenridge and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new Account Manager. I now handle your Service Agreement Renewals and I wanted to touch base with my customers.
As I was going through my files, I noticed that your Service Agreement for Imail will expire tomorrow October 23rd.
Please feel free to e-mail me if I can be of any assistance or if you would like a formal quotation for your renewal.
If you originally purchased through a reseller, you may choose to contact them for renewal. Or to locate a reseller near you, please go to : http://www.ipswitch.com/Purchase/index.asp
Kind Regards,
Renee Breckenridge Service Sales Representative Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ipswitch.com SIP-01700475
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