Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

1999.0. "STACKABLES Network Hub feedback requested" by DELNI::KOPEC () Fri Feb 10 1995 14:00

    I am interested in soliciting/sharing competitive information in the 
    Networks Hub marketplace.      

    The area that I am INITIALLY interested in sharing information
    on is in the "STACKABLE" marketplace, specifically what folks see are 
    the plusses and minuses of the following vendors' lines: HP Advancestack, 
    3COM Superstack, Synoptics/Bay2813/2803/810/800, and perhaps Networth 
    products and Alantec Powerhub. However, if you are running into significant
    competition from other vendors, please let us know.

    Th Stackables area is obviously a channels focused one, and I know there 
    are some price/port (as well as other) issues today if we try to compete 
    with the DEChub ONE/90s, but this will likely get better in the near 
    future.  

    Hopefully those of you who sell to and support our channels 
    partners will have some time to respond.  Also, if anyone has sold our 
    DEChub ONE/90 modules to end users as part of a larger enterprise sale, 
    please share that as well.  Particularly, to NEW off-base customers...

    Who has won recently because the customer or our channels partner says 
    our "start small grow large, every module plays forward, investment 
    protection, full functionality (i.e. not just a stack of repeaters), 
    GUI/Windows based management for $495" arguments work and closed the deal?

    Who has lost because the customer or channels partner says "it's doesn't 
    really stack 'neatly', it's too hard/complicated to position/sell, Chipcom 
    and others have a 10BFL modular uplink, competitors' Management platform is
    more functional/attractive, price/port too high (notice how I slipped that 
    in at the end ;-)), etc...

    Other issues...
    Were length of warranties a deciding factor?  
    Repeater hops in/out of boxes?  
    Port density?  
        
    In summary the question is simple.  Who did we beat and who did we lose to 
    and what exactly were the driving factors?  

    Any feedback appreciated.  This will help us both today and will provide 
    input for tomorrow.
    
    					Thank You, 
					Stan Kopec
					Network Products Business Unit