Just learned that Inacom closed its doors (Smart Reseller June 26, 2000). Did anyone take over the business? I just tried to get to the headquarter website but couldn't get to it. Saving Changes...
Suzanne, (IMHO),,,, I used to bid against Inacom on the larger projects. Their margins had to be razor thin- especially in the hardware area, where they made some major capital investments (in large manufacturing/assembly facilities for buiding 'white boxes'). I'm pretty certain they bid on many jobs below thier actual costs just to get a foot in the door at some of the larger companies. Of course, their intention was to make up for the unprofitable jobs on later projects with the client. Unfortunately for Inacom, the larger corps played this one out quite well, and would bounce around between them, IBM, or whoever. Subsequently, Inacom's gamble did not pay out. Dell, Gateway, IBM, and Compaq all beat them up badly on the clone business, Inacom had some problems with some of their larger outsourcing agreements (i.e., an inability to deliver the services contracted for), and not much room for error (they were overextended in every area!).
So they (Inacom) locked the doors on 4k employees, and left 200+ clients without ANY support.
I'm expecting IKON to follow along the same course....
John- It's funny but I have had some bidding experience with them too. They offered onsite techs (end user support for $35.00 per hour)which was a rate we could not compete with so we let the business go. The customer I guess did a great job nickel & diming them to death, but it sure isn't pretty when these corporate accounts get left high and dry. To me it makes more sense to understand your vendor has to make a reasonable profit to stay healthy. This has happened so many times with Businessland, Computer Factory, ComputerLand, Lechmere...even CompuUSA is on the ropes. Look what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket-talk about Chicken Run! It makes more sense to have a team of support professionals that know your account and can service it consistently and correctly. This whole business model of cheaper, cheaper, cheaper is short sighted and puts the client at risk. I don't get it. Saving Changes...
