Memo to Dell: Pump Ubuntu Into the Channel
Pssst: Hey Greg Davis (pictured). You’ve just been named Dell’s global channel chief — in charge of the PC giant’s worldwide partner strategy. What are you going to do next? Here’s one suggestion: Offer some Ubuntu PCs to solutions providers. Here’s why.
Sure, Dell has successfully introduced Ubuntu PCs and laptops to the niche buy-direct geek crowd. But now it’s time for Dell to disrupt the very PC industry it helped to build.
Remember: Michael Dell himself used Ubuntu on a home PC before Dell (the company) decided to sell Ubuntu systems in mid-2007. Greg Davis, Dell’s new global channel chief, should do the same.
Start using disruptive technology, Greg. In addition to blogging about your global partner strategy, start speaking with solutions providers who sell into large government organizations and large school systems. You’ll hear demand for desktop open source — very loudly — from those solutions providers. (Heck, look at our WorksWithU 1000 list for dozens of schools and government organizations already running Ubuntu.)
More Than Microsoft
Of course, Windows 7 (whenever that arrives…), Windows Small Business Server and Microsoft’s enterprise software will remain a huge revenue opportunity for Dell and its channel partners.
But there’s room at Dell, too, for a strong Ubuntu channel strategy. Dell promoted Ubuntu-based Netbooks to kids and parents during the holidays. Next, empower solutions providers with Ubuntu, and you’ll accelerate sales into emerging markets. And you’ll give Canonical’s own Ubuntu channel efforts a major boost.
Steal a page from IBM and investigate virtual Ubuntu desktops hosted on centralized servers. Get creative — and aggressive — by introducing so-called Mobile Internet Devices running Ubuntu.
Greg: Seek freedom. Seek disruption. Seek leverage against Microsoft. But most of all, seek new solutions that will drive channel profits for Dell’s partners around the world. No doubt, Ubuntu could play a role in that effort.
Are you listening, Greg?
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Greg, sell Ubuntu Dell’s in Australia.
Ubuntu is ready for the masses. Dell refuses to. Why? It’s political. Dell is more than technically capable of providing Ubuntu in a proper way, but it is holding back. They should do: a technically trouble free rollout, comprehensive instructions and intro, the update method and a re-install should be the same as installing Ubuntu on any other PC. I have read some hassles with, for example Dell mini9, with Ubuntu. This cannot be allowed. It’s 2009, Dell is technically capable of doing this correctly, there is no excuses.
Dell Ubuntu pre-installs should be 100% trouble free, including re-install, updates, installing a new version in 6 months, and everything working to its full capability.
I spoke with a guy from a Big PC Company Inc. in the airport a year or year and a half ago– what he said is that all of the Big PC Companies (IBM, Dell, HP, etc.) are playing with limited releases of Linux– but that mostly it’s just about a head fake with Microsoft to use when negotiating.
That pretty much explains the lazy and limited offerings– they are there as a token that allows them leverage with MS but they aren’t motivated enough to do it right.
I bought my system from ZaReason, instead. I got what I wanted, great support, and knowledgeable people.
Zac: I was in Australia in October, and noticed Linux netbooks everywhere. As you point out Dell has a prime opportunity to get in that game…. And so do Dell partners, if Davis pursues Ubuntu
@Zac: I doubt that it’s political. It’s simple economics. It’s more difficult to make money from Linux-equipped PCs for a number of reasons. If Linux were more profitable, Dell would be doing more business in the Linux sector. It may be difficult for free software nuts to understand, but much of the end-user and corporate market just don’t want Linux. It’s a niche market, and Dell only caters to it to build rapport with its customers.
Josh: You are absolutely correct that Linux remains a niche market. I am not suggesting that Dell should push Linux as a standard OS for all customers.
However, there are three clear opportunities for Dell to make some profits with Linux desktops/mobile:
1. Consumer Netbooks (Dell is already focused on this)
2. K-12 Schools and colleges, especially in emerging markets (Dell isn’t there yet)
3. Government organizations (Dell isn’t there yet)
Again your point is well-taken: Some free software advocates still need to realize Linux remains a niche. And WorksWithU will never evangelize Ubuntu as an operating system that “all” people should use…
Our goal is to educate readers aboout Ubuntu as a true alternative for many niches. And perhaps longer term, Ubuntu becomes a whole lot more on servers, desktops, mobile devices, etc.
Linux has 2,13% market share (and rising) according to W3counter globalstats. If you tell your company that they will lose 2% of their profits, you may get fired… If they sell Ubutnu “aggressively”, they may get a very big piece of that 2%, which translates into a few dozen million dollars.
As a Dell shareholder, I approve this message.
@Josh.
You currently speak the truth, but this is simply because people think the same rules can’t apply. Now, I would not call these things crapware, but some may. Why can’t Dell team with Crossover and offer 90 days free? They could do the same with CodeWeavers. How about teaming to offer Maybe get some revenue putting all Google apps on (Picassa as default image editor, GoogleMaps, etc) or Lotus Symphony?
To put it simply, there is no reason Dell has to stick a stock, un-enhanced Ubuntu install.
TripleII
Please donate your old boxes to a church-group or some needy student in these hard times! To comply with the law, and with Microsoft’s leasing policy, you can now replace Microsoft OS with the free (download from the net) Ubuntu OS, which can be set to erase the hard drive of all traces of the “illegal to give away ” Microsoft system and your private information, before donation! Now, explain to your lucky recipient that all the manuals they will ever need are available for free on the internet! Just ask for them in Google! OpenOffice, which is installed already is plenty adequate for homework assignments and with a little exploring, everything else can work well too! Happy computing!
Linux is only a niche OS?
Guys, seriously, the only reason that any decent distro of Linux can’t be a full replacement OS for “everybody” is that people like you say it can’t. Games can be designed to run on Linux along with any brand or type of application. It’s all about desire. There is no giant money pot to dip into when companies deal with Linux. THat is the bottom line. Money is the key to success. The problem with that is that Linux has never been about money to it’s developers. That is the only reason that companies have not climbed aboard the Tux Train and steamrolled over the current Microsoft dominated IT industry. I find it sad and shameful that entities like governments and non profits are not 100% Linux based to keep from spending money that should be funneled to services rendered. I work for a government agency that is so deeply entrenched with Microsoft products and Microsoft “believers” that they will never climb out of that pit. Don’t feed people this line about Linux not being capable. It is and anybody who has used it for typical tasks can tell you the truth if you really want to hear it. I will not say that any version of Linux is far superior to any version of Windows. But it can easily replace Windows as an equal right now unless you are hardcore gamer and the only reason they can’t use it is the software vendors don’t port the games to Linux. Thanks for listening.
George