Information Week: Risk I Don’t Think So, Rewards without a Doubt

John Foley mentioned  Zenoss in the November 12th Information Week cover story,”Evaluating Tech Startups: The Risks And Rewards“. They even showed our own Bill Karpovich on the cover of the magazine and used Zenoss to demonstrate the benefits of using software from tech start-up such as ours. Mr. Foley quoted the fact that UTStarcom is using our product and that the decision of the multi-billion dollar communications juggernaut should instill confidence to their Fortune 5000 brethren in using Zenoss.

Just last month, 2-year-old Zenoss revealed that IPTV and wireless equipment provider UTStarcom has begun using its open source IT management software, which competes with established products from BMC, CA, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. With annual revenue of $2.7 billion, UTStarcom is the kind of blue chip account that tends to reassure other potential customers.

No Risk
The article states that corporate IT users might shy away from start-ups because they may be acquired or fail. Fortunately with Zenoss’ open source model our software is and will always be available as a GPL software package, a distinct advantage over proprietary tech start-ups. Our customers and users are well insulated from the risks that might be associated with other relatively young technical companies.

The real risk for companies are in using proprietary solutions where they lack visibility into the product roadmap (ours is here for those that are interested). In addition, with traditional enterprise software you also don’t have the ability to really see the software in action before committing you often are relying on the promises of a commissioned sales person. I wonder what is in his best interest. Granted you may conduct a pilot of the proprietary solutions but often under the terms of the vendor not under your own terms.

We have tons of third party validation for our product to backup our sales people. You can have your monitoring solution up and running with minimum investment and when you need it you know that there is a world-class technical support organization behind it with our Zenoss Enterprise offerings. We don’t have to invest in golf outings, expensive dinners, and other traditional sales tactics or bribes (that you pay for anyhow when you buy their over-priced software). Plus since we are a subscription based business we know we need to win your business every year. When you buy an established enterprise package with a big up front price tag you are locked in.
Huge Rewards

Our open source commitment is a huge advantage for our users over many start-ups and even the large commercial companies who limit participation as a result of having to buy the software. Our customers are benefiting from the feedback and participation of thousands of Zenoss users who help inform our product development decisions, and share their experience in our forums and even their enhancements.  Zenoss users benefit from not only Zenoss but an army that is our passionate and vocal community. Other companies only benefit from their limited group of paid users.
Well rather than drone on about how great Zenoss is go ahead and download it yourself. You can even compare it to other offerings from some of those big less risky commercial companies like BMC and HP.

Oops, I forgot their enterprise software isn’t available for downoad a freedom we value…

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