Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 856 Don't coax children to play games
……

Usually, software products sold to enterprise user groups are not simply billed according to the number of copies as they are sold to individual user groups, but are charged according to the number of CPUs or the number of online users installed in the computer system. authorized.

For example, for large databases such as EBase and Oracle, the most powerful version has an authorization fee of tens of thousands of dollars per CPU-if it is a server with a symmetric multi-processor architecture with 32 CPUs, such For the database, the total cost is nearly a million dollars.

Another example is the ERP software such as PeopleSoft and SAP. Their online version products often use dongles to control the number of users who are online at the same time, and the total cost is equal to the unit price of each point multiplied by the number of authorized accesses purchased.

Of course, which of the two billing methods, the number of CPUs and the number of online users, is more cost-effective depends on the specific situation.Especially under the general trend of continuous improvement of computer performance, the situation is more complicated-it may be purchased according to the number of points in the past, and the IT cost of the enterprise is low; but now the CPU performance is so strong that it can drive more simultaneous online users, so that buying according to the number of CPUs, Enterprise IT costs are lower.

According to the market research and forecast of Fangyuan Company, among the companies represented by the explosive growth of Web sites, there are only a few large enterprises such as Fangyuan, Zheru, and IBM, and more small and medium-sized companies.

For those who are interested in the Internet, when buying a server system, they must give priority to cost-effectiveness. A server with 2 CPUs may be enough-if the problem is not enough, then replace it with a slightly better server.

In the process of seeking such IT solutions, hardware and software must be considered at the same time, and software such as operating systems and databases are so important that they even become decisive factors.

John Chambers is optimistic about the prospect of small and medium-sized enterprises' demand for Fangyuan servers, and he naturally hopes that Zheru Software, which has been "colluding" with Fangyuan for a long time, can come up with a new cooperation plan.

Tang Huan was well aware of the general situation, but he had to wait for his subordinates to calculate such a subtle matter as the combined quotation plan.

Brothers, have to settle accounts.

In Tang Huan’s layout, Zheru Software used to focus on supporting Fangyuan Computer to compete for industry standards, but now it is Fangyuan Computer, which has already established itself in the country, and in turn helps Zheru Software sell more products—the primary and secondary are undergoing subtle changes .

What's more, in a few months, Zheru software will be launched.It needs to come up with a bright financial report to stimulate Wall Street, instead of promoting the spirit of brotherhood and supporting Fangyuan Company regardless of gains and losses.

However, Tang Huan, who did not express his opinion immediately, highly appreciated John Chambers' judgment on the IT needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, and he really praised a few words.

One of the reasons why "Fangyuan Computer Company" was decomputerized into "Fangyuan Company" is that the range of products it operates is too wide, such as medical imaging equipment, mobile phones, etc.

During the discussion, John Chambers mentioned the future direction of Fangyuan handheld computers and mobile phones.

Although the performance of Fangyuan handheld computer has been lackluster for many years, it has not been abandoned. The technology and products have been constantly advancing. From the initial relying on dry batteries to provide energy, USB and COM interfaces for data exchange, to the current use of lithium-ion batteries to provide energy, adding wireless LAN connections, screens that support more colors and higher resolutions, etc., are not trivial upgrades.

"In terms of personal data processing such as address books, memos, and schedule arrangements, the capabilities of mobile phones and Fangyuan handheld computers are constantly getting closer." John Chambers said in a deep voice: "I don't know when the two will be real. Two become one."

"It depends on when the semiconductor technology can evolve to make the components small enough. Of course, the supporting software is also essential." Tang Huan smiled slightly, "Users are interested in Zheru's embedded operating system. , is there any new feedback?"

"The first ones are still old problems such as battery life and smooth operation." John Chambers turned to test: "Microsoft's operating system is getting more and more promotional, which makes more and more people around PC compatible manufacturers have begun to pre-install Windows for cheap. Fangyuan, do you want to exert some influence?"

"This is a pure software dispute, there is no need for Fangyuan to get involved." Tang Huan waved his hand, "You can express your opinion that on consumer products, provide several sets of operating systems like the original IBM-PC, and the users Choose by yourself; and enterprise-level products, Windows has no competitiveness at all."

Seeing that Tang Huan didn't take Microsoft seriously, John Chambers stopped talking.

……

The next day, when Tang Huan came to the office, he saw an eye-catching trademark on the lawn. It looked like it belonged to Netscape, which was established only this year. It attracted many passersby, pointing and pointing. De Swahlberg stood at the door with a serious face, observing everyone's reactions

Tang Huan asked lightly, "Why is there such a thing on the lawn?"

"Last night, several employees of Netscape drove over and put it there." Brad Swahlberg replied with affirmative tone: "I am not in a hurry to let people move away— —Look at it, everyone, someone called at the door, what kind of situation is it, it's pretty good!"

In terms of Brad Swahlberg's current status as the No. [-] person in Zheru Software, he must be Tang Huan's choice to succeed the CEO, and he is nothing more than waiting for the right time to announce.

Therefore, Brad Swahlberg's slightly "alternative" reaction has his starting point.

Tang Huan nodded slightly, and snorted, "How old are you, still playing this kind of game? Is Netscape trying to show the outside world that a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers?"

This is indeed the case-in colleges, whether MIT students proudly display their signs at the Harvard-Yale football game, or Cornell University students on Halloween, Mischievously inserting a big pumpkin weighing several tens of kilograms on the spire of the school tower is in line with the characteristics of their age group, but how can Netscape play such a "stealing camp" at night? What's going on?Is this enough to demonstrate?

After observing the employee's reaction with Brad Swahlberg for a while, Tang Huan said "Our people are getting used to being comfortable" before turning and leaving.

……

The spread of gossip news in Silicon Valley is no slower than that of Hollywood. In just one morning, Netscape, located in Mountain View, went to demonstrate.

When the spokesperson of Zheru Software Company was asked about this issue, he replied lightly: "We are very busy now and do not coax children to play games. If troublemakers want to promote themselves, my personal suggestion is, please Contact advertiser.”

The reporters at the scene were all amused—Zheru Software Company obviously regarded Netscape as a brat, waved impatiently, and slammed the other party away.

……

After Tang Huan and Louis Gerstner exchanged information about the enterprise IT service market, at Zheru Software's internal meeting, when he listened to reports on the listing and "i strategy" and other work, he said seriously: "Our' It is self-evident that iStrategy shocked the entire industry, and colleagues responded in different ways—this newly emerged Netscape company obviously put all its wealth on the browser.”

"To what extent Netscape realizes the status of the browser in the Internet is still unknown. But what I want to emphasize is that the importance of the browser is no less than that of the operating system-I hope that the two can be balanced. Going hand in hand, the operating system is a major main business that provides the company's financial income, so it should be magnanimous; the browser must know how to make progress, and cannot be frivolous just because the youngest son is favored."

Brad Swalberg took over the topic and said: "Netscape will officially release version 1.0 of its browser product Netscape_Navigator at the COMDEX Autumn Show in Las Vegas. The latest version we can get now The version of Netscape_Navigator is 0.9. It can be seen that it is clearly in tit-for-tat with our Polestar browser in terms of cookies, web frameworks, scripting languages, etc., and it can be regarded as an opponent that poses a real threat."

"The group of programmers who developed Netscape_Navigator were mainly from the Mosaic browser R&D team of NCSA at the University of Illinois. They had copyright disputes with each other. Even the development codename of Netscape_Navigator - Mozilla - evolved from 'Mosaic_Killa' - 'Mosaic Killer' .”

"How about we mobilize some public relations resources to intensify the conflict between NCSA and Netscape, and hit the morale of this stunned young man?"

Tang Huan noncommittally gave an example, "The value of being justified is often not manifested until the end. The desktop database DBase deliberately hides its relationship with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is the best example."

As an old subordinate, Brad Swahlberg has long been accustomed to Boss's technical euphemism when discussing some business competition methods, so he changed his mind and said: "Netscape To set the Netscape_Navigator browser as free according to common sense is obviously to quickly gain market share, and at the same time put profit expectations on selling back-end website service kits and development tools to enterprises.”

"We all have a deep understanding of the power of the free gimmick. I think that the Polestar browser should be differentiated into a clearly free personal version to fight back this aggressive challenge."

This time Tang Huan nodded with a clear attitude, and then he waved his hand, "Let's appreciate the latest features of Polestar first."

Soon, everyone in the meeting saw in the projection that Tang Huan changed the light blue tone of the Polestar interface into a light green tone by calling a "skinning" function menu. Even the background and lines of the controls were different. It is said that there is a change of face-but both interfaces are pleasing to the eye.

"This is a personalized creative function, which can also be used on the media player. Generally speaking, it has no practical use except to consume more computer resources." Tang Huan explained, and the result attracted a lot of laughter.

"However, I came up with an idea. That is, how many people will think that this is a new product if the Polestar core is put on a different interface?" Tang Huan said leisurely: "Since the browser market is suddenly It has been pulled down to the level of free, so isn’t the atmosphere a bit deserted?”

Brad Swahlberg thought about it carefully, Boss wanted to put different vests on Polestar, turning the entire browser market into a colorful and dizzying scene.

As the definite CEO successor, Brad Swahlberg, of course, like Tang Huan, clearly felt the anti-monopoly pressure caused by Zheru Software's overpowering.

If you use a bunch of Polestar's trumpets to drown all opponents including Netscape_Navigator, it is really possible to do so without bloodshed-in any case, this market has been stirred up for free.

Brad Swahlberg deeply felt that this trick was more vicious than getting Netscape into a vortex of copyright disputes... No, it was still effective. He couldn't help but cheer up, and said: "I'll contact some cooperative partners immediately. Companies, see if they're interested in a Polestar that can come out in a different guise."

……

The 1994 COMDEX Las Vegas Fall Show was significantly more lively than previous ones.Gein, in addition to the continued increase in quantity, there are also a lot of dry goods.

In terms of hardware: there is a new member in the field of home TV game consoles - Sony's Playstation; in the field of desktop computers, NC is challenging PCs; various RISC servers and workstations, in the calm tones of the mainframe, occasionally flash a sharp light .

In terms of software: Microsoft's computer manufacturer pre-installed version Windows_95; Netscape's 1.0 official version of the Netscape_Navigator browser is murderous, and various products with the "i" title can be seen everywhere.

When Tang Huan gave a speech at the COMDEX industry forum, he first reviewed last year's forecast, "The number of Web sites this year has reached tens of thousands. I think it will reach hundreds of thousands next year, and millions in the year after. It's nothing difficult."

(End of this chapter)