The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

DealsOnTheWeb Daily Deal: 16GB iPod Touch: $299 Delivered - $30 Drop

Dell Has Lost the Channel War

by , 1:55 PM EDT, September 21st, 2007

The channel wars are over and Dell has lost according to Steve Brazier, CEO of Canalys, who spoke in Madrid on Friday.

That's the interpretation by Channel Register on Friday since Dell wasn't actually mentioned by name in the talk.

Mr. Brazier, who kicked off Acer's press jamboree, said that "any vendors contemplating a jump from a direct-only model into the channel could not expect a soft landing." He pointed out that building up a channel strategy takes many years and close work with channel partners. The logistics required to support customers in the retail channel are completely alien to the direct sale model, especially with regard to inventory.

"The channel has beaten the direct model," Mr. Brazier declared. He explained how an 20-30 day inventory is required to smooth out the flow in a tightening PC market. Dell's just-in-time model was unfavorably compared to Henry Ford's model T production line and has "wrong-footed" them.

Acer recently agreed to buy Gateway and is one of Dell's biggest competitors. Dell has been having trouble lately with a partial transition to a channel model, perhaps inspired by Apple's success with their retail stores.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
View Name:Guest
Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:41 pm Subject: spell/grammar check
Close Name:Bosco Posts: 999 Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:52 pm Subject: A dissenting opinion

Meanwhile, at HP's press event, Thomas Jockstrap (CEO of SmartAnal) claims that Acer is outdated.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:nealg Posts: 120 Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:46 am Subject: It is funny...

that analysts have to claim winners and losers but I guess that is their job. In my opinion, Dell is a fierce competitor and with Rollins out and Dell back in, I wouldn't count them out of anything.

Neal


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2051 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:17 pm Subject: Email rather than post about errors

Quote
Guest wrote:
"OFF" dammit. "...who kicked of (sic) Acer's press jamboree...."


A suggestion: click on the author's name to send an email, rather than post a message that will no longer apply when the error is corrected. That will also probably result in the error being corrected more quickly.


 Reply | Quote
Comment on this Article

Show:   comments per page.   Save Settings
Guest Posts Hidden. View Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.
Log in | Register | Having Problems? Reset TMO Cookies & Try Again
Username:   Password:   Log me on automatically each visit   

You are not logged in, and this post will appear as "Guest." Log in with your username and password from the TMO forums. If you do not have a username, you can register here.
Please note that guests are limited to including a maximum of two URLs per post.

Post A Comment
  Subject


  Your Comments



Please enter the word exactly as you see it in the image above. Registered users aren't prompted for this. Having trouble reading the image get a new one.

Recent Headlines - Updated Friday, July 25th, 2008

Fri., 3:30 PM
CheckUp 1.2 Features Updated UI, Lower Price
3:05 PM
iPodObserver - Barron's: iPhone 3G Push E-mail with Exchange a Delight
2:20 PM
iPodObserver - Gartenberg: Zune Phone Unlikely
1:35 PM
iPodObserver - TopMuffin Tracks iPhone Avialability All Day
1:05 PM
CheckUp 1.2 Adds Wi-Fi Network Detector
12:40 PM
AOL Cuts Back on Blogs to Save Cash
11:35 AM
Mac Gaming News - Macgamestore Intros SCRABBLE Journey for the Mac
10:25 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Hunting for iPhones
10:00 AM
iPO Review - Griffin Elan Form
8:35 AM
AirPort Extreme 2008-002 Fixes Tiger Audio Issues
7:30 AM
TMO Quick Tip - Address Book: Selectively Hiding Your vCard Info
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials
  • Special Report: WWDC 2008
  • Special Report: iPhone
  • __________
  • Help TMO Grow
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!
  • New Media Expo 2008

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $162.20. Change Today: +3.17.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

What's the buzz? These articles have TMO readers talking.

Apple iTunes

Top Deals From DealsOnTheWeb