Sage News and Discussion

Wow...this guy is going to be hanging around Summit to talk to Sage Partners about Netsuite?? I wonder how quickly Sage will have security escort him out... <from an email> Let's Meet at Sage Summit I would like to personally invite you to attend a NetSuite briefing session at the upcoming Sage Summit conference in Nashville to learn the benefits of launching your Cloud ERP practice with NetSuite. There has never been a better time than today to position yourself as a leader in delivering Cloud ERP solutions to your clients. NetSuite is at the front of the pack and is actively recruiting the leading Sage business partners interested in offering cloud-based business management solutions to their client base. We would welcome the opportunity to share with you the benefits of our Solution Provider partner program. I am available to meet with you at the Sage event at your convenience as early as Monday afternoon, August 13th through Wednesday morning, August 15th. To schedule now, please contact me directly at 650.627.1168 or send an email to cwest@netsuite.com. Why NetSuite, and why now? We're changing the way Solution Providers like you succeed, and there has never been a better time to partner with us: 1. Earn 100% margin on new business sales. Learn more about the SP100 Program. 2. Cloud computing is growing and being widely adopted by mid-market and enterprise companies. Let us show you how you can capitalize on this opportunity. 3. NetSuite is a premier cloud computing partner with a 5-star partner program, providing Solution Providers industry-leading margin and recurring revenues with our subscription-based model. 4. Read my recent blog post that I've been told ""hits the mark"" and offers direct advice for Sage resellers seeking better options. Please accept my invitation to meet while attending the Sage event. If we miss each other in Nashville and you would like to learn more about partnering with NetSuite, then please contact me and we can schedule a call afterwards. Best regards, Craig West Vice President, Channel Sales NetSuite Inc. Toll Free: 877.638.7848 Ext. 1168 Direct: 650.627.1168 Email: cwest@netsuite.com

I just received it as well...

I wonder if he will hide in one of the hallways between sessions going..""Psst, come here, I want to show you something"" Kinda like the guys who sell stereo speakers out of a white panel van.

Ha just got a copy - he was there last year too. I was with Peter and a bunch of Sage people and passed Craig in the bar. If the Sage people knew him they did not let on.

@WayneSchulz ...did he wear a trench coat and hat?

Ha - one year they rented a big box truck and drove around the streets of Denver with a sign inviting partners to join their channel.

Oh...I bet they will be hitting Summit hard this year. Maybe a whole fleet of trucks. I am sorry I will miss it all.

The hotel is a public venue. I'm sure the meeting would be outside of the conference area. I've seen vendors do this all the time. I think I remember Infor having a custom bus parked outside front of one of the Microsoft events looking to attract var's. Hell, Sage can't even call this competition. Where is their viable cloud solution? From: do-not-reply@socialcast.com [mailto:do-not-reply@socialcast.com] On Behalf Of Brian Buck Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 3:54 PM To: Mark Chinsky Subject: [90 Minds Consulting Group] Wow...this guy is going to be hanging around Summit to talk to Sage Partners about Netsuite?? I wonder how quickly Sage will have securit...

Hahah...good point about the competition Mark...very true.

One year we went up to see a presentation from Intacct. I think they had a suite during Summit (this was pre-Taylor days) when Jerry Jalaba was in charge of channels.

http://summitdiary.com/2012/08/01/on-pissing-in-the-punchbowl-and-netsuite/

I'll ask here too - what exactly is it that you are inferring is unethical? These guys are offering to meet off-site -- it's not at Sage's conference. Nobody has to go see them. This happens at conferences all the time - the only thing different here is Netsuite has their shit together to market via a targeted email. I don't get it. Are malls a bad place too because multiple shops try to 'steal' each others business. Couldn't Sage go solicit partners at Netsuite's events too? Perhaps I've overlooked some indiscretion. And Netsuite didn't really sling any mud. Sage does not have a multi-tenant solutions for partners who want to offer one. None - zero - zilch. Now if you were to make an argument about Accountmate I'd be more apt to agree that certain (or all) of their email messaging is just downright misleading (promising that parters are going to return to the good old days) while ignoring market and economic changes which practically guarantee that won't happen long term.

Maybe I'm over-reacting but I think it's low class tactics. I didn't say it was unethical but certainly it's nothing to be proud of, is it? The point of the article is one of respect. In my mind, going to the neutral ITA conference is one thing. Going to the Sage annual event is another. It would be like finding out when your ex is getting re-married and then crashing the wedding. I would imagine if NetSuite has a strong message, they wouldn't need to resort to setting up meetings at this particular conference. As you said, they are already in front of the top vars at the ITA so ... why come here. To each their own but I find it tacky. It would be like someone hanging outside your office and giving customers a brochure on MAS services as they left you. I guess some would see that as an ok move? Maybe I'm in the minority.

This is nothing new and has been going on for years with lots of vendors. Pretty sure it is accepted practice and i would be surprised if Sage hadn't done this back in the days when they were still trying to grow the channel. Personally, I have no problem with it as long as they do not cause disruption. If you are a happy camper, their presence means squat. If you are not, go visit them. Great way to see product in action as Wayne and I did with intact a few years back.

Well, isn't this a bit like the vultures swooping down into Happy Valley picking off some football players?????

LOL @ Jeff!

My concern here is if these vendors are marketing during customer days. Partner days no big deal. But on customers days it just causes for a lot of questions.

@JeffSchwenk - actually you are right on with your comparison to penn state, as poaching players is not only expected, it is semi-endorsed by the NCAA. When a school gets severe sanctions (prevented from participating in post-season play), players/students are allowed to transfer without having to sit a season. Penn state has already lost a couple of players and I wouldn't be surprised if more left.

Provide your customers with good service and you won't need to worry about most of them making a move without asking you. This whole ""play nice"" bullshit is just that .. just wait until the first opportunity arises to poach another customer/partner. I've had UMPTEEEEEEEEEEN consultants tell me how they swear they adhere to the worlds highest code of ethics. There is nobody more ethical than them. Until they run across a business opportunity and ""forget"" to notify or be ethical. I've had partners tell me this. Developers. You name it. Wake up and smell the coffee folks -- it's BUSINESS.

The email followup said Craig is only available Sunday through Wednesday for appointments. So they apparantely are not going to be around for Customer Daze.

I agree with @PeterWolf on the ""low class"" and ""tacky"". If this is the behavior they will publicly announce, how low class and tacky will they be when they think no one is looking?