<SPAM> Re: OT: vendor contacts after list posting

[Dennis Meharchand <Dennis () VALTX COM>]

A VENDOR PERSPECTIVE

Our company who is developing endpoint computer security products has
quickly learned the rules of the game:

A) The listserv is for peers to communicate and get recommendations on
products/solutions from one another - not for vendors to solicit or pitch
their ware.
B) Even if our solution meets a posted need it is inappropriate as a vendor
to respond. By and large participants are seeking the experiences of their
peers - not vendor pushes. As a vendor I should sell my products directly to
members and if those customers are happy with our products they will
evangelize for us.
C) As a vendor it is frustrating to know that you have a solution and are
unable to promote it in the listserv. Educause would do well to create an
area where vendors can promote/advertise their solutions and members, at
their discretion, can search through such proposed solutions. Vendors should
pay for this privilege - perhaps $100-200 per product/solution listing.
D) We had a Business Development Manager target the list. He got a warning.
He did it a second time. We fired him. Vendors should understand that much
is to be gained by being allowed to monitor the list - what solutions are
needed, features etc. We appreciate being allowed access. Vendors should
agree to the rules of the game - granted not everyone knows.

Dennis Meharchand
CEO, Valt.X Technologies Inc.
Tel: 1-800-361-0067, 416-746-6669
Fax: 416-746-2774
Email: dennis () valtx com
Web: www.valtx.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Keller [mailto:kellermg () POTSDAM EDU]
Sent: April 16, 2007 12:30 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [Spam] [SECURITY] <SPAM> Re: [SECURITY] OT: vendor contacts after
list posting

I vote with my wallet. I have a list of vendors who have contacted me
thusly, and ensure my organization doesn't do business with them. I know
this isn't feasible for everyone, and not everyone controls the
purchasing decisions, but I welcome a direct solicit from Bradford so I
can add them to the wall of shame.

Similarly, I would like to give great commendation to the .coms that
provide information and assistance, without pimping their wares. I had
noticed a number of companies who are list-active and actually helpful
without the "you should buy our great product".

Vendors on-list are helpful, but unsolicited commercial e-mail is spam,
whether it's bulk or direct.

On Wed, 2007-04-11 at 10:51 -0500, David Boyer wrote:
> For what it's worth, not long after making this posting I was
> contacted by Bradford Networks about their NAC products. I'm not sure
> how everyone else feels, but it's a real turn off for me when vendors
> troll these constituent group discussions to generate sales leads.
>
> Maybe this is common practice and I'm just being naive. Any thoughts?


--
Matthew Keller
Information Security Officer & Network Administrator
Computing & Technology Services
State University of New York @ Potsdam
Potsdam, NY, USA
http://mattwork.potsdam.edu/