Business System Consultation Center - Our Business System ColumnVol.8 2011.03.01 Takahashi Minoru

Bundling hardware with your system order means you'll overpay

Thank you for your interest and continued support.
This is Takahashi from the Marketing Plan Research Laboratory.


“Could I also ask you to provide a new computer to run the system on?”
This is a topic we’re often asked about, but
We do not handle hardware procurement under any circumstances.


Please purchase the hardware yourself from a local electronics retailer, a PC manufacturer’s direct sales channel (such as Dell),
or through a distributor such as Daiwabo.
*We understand that procuring server products can be particularly difficult in some cases.


There are two main reasons for this request.


① To help you develop the ability to select hardware on your own
② If you ask a systems integrator to handle the hardware, you will almost certainly get ripped off


I’ll provide a brief explanation of each point below.


① To help you develop an eye for selecting hardware through the process of procuring it yourself
⇒ Procuring equipment on your own requires both effort and time,
　　and there is a significant risk of failure.
　　You might be tricked by store clerks or salespeople
　　and end up being pressured into buying equipment that is either over-specced or outdated.
　　However, these failures will eventually become part of your experience as a business owner,
　　and you’ll gradually gain confidence in handling computer-related matters.


② If you ask a systems integrator to handle your hardware, you’re guaranteed to get ripped off
⇒ Even if you go through a systems integrator, their hardware procurement costs aren’t necessarily much lower, and
　　and because their involvement in the hardware supply chain
　　and after-sales support (*) inevitably requires man-hours,
　　they are forced to add a significant markup to the already not-cheap purchase price.
　　　　As a result, even if they provide a modest quote, from the buyer’s perspective,
　　the cost will inevitably feel like “they’re definitely ripping us off.”
　　*After-sales support = setup, answering routine questions, and initial troubleshooting


We are happy to provide information regarding requirements (such as necessary specifications and recommended number of units),
so please feel free to consult us on that matter.


That's all, Thank you for reading.

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