Corporate Culture.....

[futant]

All you need now is a parrot and have it yap every 5 seconds while on meetings!

Pure awesome
it just needs to repeat what you say , and sit on your desk for follow on conversation!

[347Mike]

Pure awesome
it just needs to repeat what you say , and sit on your desk for follow on conversation!

If I could teach it to take minutes I would be golden.

[Roscoe]

And why is that, because we're buying up services and software companies?

No, you're doing that because you want to take business from the CIBER's and Accenture's of the world...

Oh - and there is no margin in hardware.

[Big A]

And why is that, because we're buying up services and software companies?

I can't speak about the practices of any specific competitor, but there have been instances where software has been sold at a loss, knowing that it will be made up in hardware purchases. This is against the law in CA, and is considered being a "loss leader."

Yes. I went through a stretch where I was working from 9am-7pm, would take a 2 hour break to get dinner and spend a little time with Robert and the kids, then I'd turn around and work with my developers from 9 or 10pm until anywhere from 3-5AM, then crash and be back up around 9am to do it over again.
After about 2 months of that routine, I started feeling like the only interaction I had with Robert and the kids was saying, "Can you keep it down? I'm on a call." I'm sure Robert felt like a single parent, at that point. He did get to play a lot of xbox, since I wasn't able to spend "quality time" with him.

I feel guilty enough when Saylee comes and puts her paws on my leg, looking to get loved on, I'm glad I don't have a wife nagging me and giving me similar sentiment.

I get up around 530a and work until 7a when my daughter needs to get ready. Wife helps with that and I take her to preschool every day. We take our time sometimes, get donuts, whatever. I'm back at my desk by 8:30 and work through (and fuck off/run errands sometimes), but I work until the wife walks in the door at 6p with the daughter.

Sometimes have calls late at night or get shit done until midnight, so it has ups and downs, but fuck working in an office.

I get most of my work done when I'm traveling.

I do miss the comradre somewhat, but it's been almost 3 years now, and like you, I don't care to be on anyone's schedule but my own.

[Silverback]

No, you're doing that because you want to take business from the CIBER's and Accenture's of the world...

Oh - and there is no margin in hardware.

There's that, and Dell bought Perot Systems to compete with HP/EDS

I was technically hired on with Perot Systems, well at least my first 3-4 paychecks still said Perot.

[Big A]

No, you're doing that because you want to take business from the CIBER's and Accenture's of the world...

Oh - and there is no margin in hardware.

I beg to differ, hardware gets alot better margins than I do. We have to make up for it in sheer volume.

Services is where the good money is at, but in today's economy, customers aren't willing to pay top dollar for that anymore either.

[Roscoe]

I beg to differ, hardware gets alot better margins than I do. We have to make up for it in sheer volume.

Services is where the good money is at, but in today's economy, customers aren't willing to pay top dollar for that anymore either.

I've sold 30% more in professional services than I have in software this year. I suppose it's a bit different since I sell for "the manufacturer" and it's considered all profit vs. PS hours are ~40% profit...

[Silverback]

I beg to differ, hardware gets alot better margins than I do. We have to make up for it in sheer volume.

Services is where the good money is at, but in today's economy, customers aren't willing to pay top dollar for that anymore either.

What they aren't willing to pay for anymore are blanket services. They want specialized, customized contracts built around their environments, that can be tweaked for price. They want varying levels of service that they can mix and match based upon their needs, not how the Services company sells things. There's a lot less desire for dedicated support technicians for companies when leveraged models will give them the same support level.

There's a lot going on here in the way of revamping how services are offered in order to become more competitive in the market.

[Big A]

What they aren't willing to pay for anymore are blanket services. They want specialized, customized contracts built around their environments, that can be tweaked for price. They want varying levels of service that they can mix and match based upon their needs, not how the Services company sells things. There's a lot less desire for dedicated support technicians for companies when leveraged models will give them the same support level.

There's a lot going on here in the way of revamping how services are offered in order to become more competitive in the market.

I agree 100%, our services team is adjusting as well. I don't know any specifics, as I don't have any services engagements with the state, but from the general info I've been given, changes are being made.

[347Mike]

I beg to differ, hardware gets alot better margins than I do. We have to make up for it in sheer volume.

Services is where the good money is at, but in today's economy, customers aren't willing to pay top dollar for that anymore either.

What they aren't willing to pay for anymore are blanket services. They want specialized, customized contracts built around their environments, that can be tweaked for price. They want varying levels of service that they can mix and match based upon their needs, not how the Services company sells things. There's a lot less desire for dedicated support technicians for companies when leveraged models will give them the same support level.

There's a lot going on here in the way of revamping how services are offered in order to become more competitive in the market.

What are you guys selling, or shall I say what types of services are you referring to being sold?

[Silverback]

What are you guys selling, or shall I say what types of services are you referring to being sold?

All IT/IS Services, like Datacenter, Virtualization, Application Development/Support, Software Deployment/Support, Wintel Support/Engineering, Desktop Support, Linux/Unix Support/Engineering, Hosted solutions, Network/Firewall Support/Engineering, Help Desk, etc...

[Big A]

What are you guys selling, or shall I say what types of services are you referring to being sold?

I personally consult on, and sell strictly software. Our services arm does basically anything that a customer is willing to pay for from an IT perspctive. Desktop deployment to server management, and anything else they may require.

[347Mike]

All IT/IS Services, like Datacenter, Virtualization, Application Development, Software Deployment, Wintel Support/Engineering, Desktop Support, Linux/Unix Support/Engineering, Hosted solutions, Network/Firewall Support/Engineering, Help Desk, etc...

Were in the exact same field.

So you work for Dell? How are there merit increases and promotions? lol You guys need any Project Managers?

[lowthreeohz]

I'm in services, but not the same side of the house as ya'll. I usually end up trying to figure out ways to make the promises our sales/engineering staff has made into reality.

[Silverback]

Were in the exact same field.

So you work for Dell? How are there merit increases and promotions? lol You guys need any Project Managers?

They've been alright, if I don't get a promotion this year, I will be looking either inside the company to another department, or outside the company. I've already made my boss aware of that.

Project Managers are a dime a dozen around here. That's the one thing I've never seen them hire for. We've let more PM's go in the 3 years I've been here than I've seen them hire.