Network Computing is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Jeff Allen, Senior VP, Strategy & Development, BlueArc: Page 4 of 10

Byte and Switch: Jeff, they really ought to be paying you more – we’ll have a word, if you like. You’ve got an important job there, too, by the sounds of it: "Senior VP of Strategy and Business Development." So, what do you make of BlueArc then? What’s wrong with their strategy?

Allen: I’ve only just walked in the door, so I’m still learning, but BlueArc has made a lot of progress for a startup – there are plenty of others still struggling to get a product to market. BlueArc has reached the first level of growth and is ready for the next phase.

Byte and Switch: And what’s the next phase?

Allen: We need to rethink distribution: not only direct sales, but targeted systems integrators and resellers; and we need to get very focused on growing the services and support operation. BlueArc has a growing professional services skill set, but it’s being given away today. This is typical behavior of an early-stage startup, where you throw everything in just to make the sale.

Byte and Switch: Interesting, so what else could BlueArc charge for?