Ron Seybold wrote:

> Then there's the fact that the educational market is so price
> sensitive that a 3000 proposition -- cost effective and simple --
> might be really compelling to them. Especially if brought to them by
> someone they know, like Apple.
>
>

In thinking outside the box mode, If Apple bought CSY and
make a deal with SunGuard for SRN's and Bi-Tech software for
MPE and make a deal with the Open Skies people, they could
offer college and universities a cost effective integrated
systems package under the ASP model.  For $XXXXX a year, based
on FTE, you can run this system and we'll manage it for you.
I think there are a lot of colleges bitter about the current
state of their administrative systems that would jump at the
chance, if it came of a "name" company and was marketed well
(you have to attend all the major conferences and do
presentations on the trends in technology in higher ed and
show how your solution is buzzword compliant).

The last aspect might be to partner with BlackBoard for
integration with their portal and online teaching and learning
environment (which is Unix or NT only at the moment) to offer
a complete campus solution. Blackboard simply charges annually
per FTE, with add on consulting, and they seem very successful.
Blackboard is also interesting in that if you go to their web
site there is nothing about what platforms are supported.  They
sell a solution and have a range of platforms to fit your needs.

Only the IT folks care about the platform.  With MPE and a little
polish to Easytime or one of the 3rd party GUIs, and optional
remote management, you don't even need IT involved.  It's a
business decision.

Richard
--
Richard L Gambrell, Senior Information Technology Consultant and
Director of Computing Systems and Networks
Information Technology Division, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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