Ten days later, the CIO called us to install an All-In-One Web
Appliance that was the new firewall, spam filter, porn
filter, FTP server, email server, web server, e-commerce host and
network router! I couldn't resist asking the CIO why he didn't get the version that
made cappuccino.
I am not a huge fan of multi-function appliances of this ilk. They rarely perform any of their functions well and when one part breaks, the whole thing breaks. Not to mention, they are usually absolute overkill. But, we did as we were asked and we installed the monster. I'll spare you the sordid nightmare tale that this appliance unleashed. It was a constant source of misery, grief and unhappiness for us.
It wasn't until four months later that I accidentally discovered the manufacturer had given the CIO a very hefty "commission" for buying their appliance. Aside from screamingly unethical, it was simply the wrong tool for the job. All they needed was an Internet firewall that could filter porn and spam. They should have spent $700 but instead they spent closer to $7500! Ridiculous.
However, you'd be surprised how often this happens. IT personnel are under constant bombardment with offers of commissions if they convince you to buy. It sucks that a business owner has to ask themselves if the IT recommendation is for the right business product or if it offers the highest kickback.
I am not a huge fan of multi-function appliances of this ilk. They rarely perform any of their functions well and when one part breaks, the whole thing breaks. Not to mention, they are usually absolute overkill. But, we did as we were asked and we installed the monster. I'll spare you the sordid nightmare tale that this appliance unleashed. It was a constant source of misery, grief and unhappiness for us.
It wasn't until four months later that I accidentally discovered the manufacturer had given the CIO a very hefty "commission" for buying their appliance. Aside from screamingly unethical, it was simply the wrong tool for the job. All they needed was an Internet firewall that could filter porn and spam. They should have spent $700 but instead they spent closer to $7500! Ridiculous.
However, you'd be surprised how often this happens. IT personnel are under constant bombardment with offers of commissions if they convince you to buy. It sucks that a business owner has to ask themselves if the IT recommendation is for the right business product or if it offers the highest kickback.
It was shortly after this episode that BHF and I cancelled all of our relationships with hardware vendors. We agreed that we would never earn a kickback on equipment we recommended since it would only tarnish the validity of our recommendation. Our integrity is too valuable to sell for a few dollars in kickbacks.
For technology advice you can trust. Call (305) 423-9574.
R-Squared Computing | Lou RG | Nearly Free IT | Firm Wisdom
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