The old joke about technology is that if you want to setup that new gizmo, go get yourself a 10-year-old. We saw electronics retailer Best Buy follow that bit of wisdom with its consumer-oriented Geek Squad, an army of white-shirt and clip-on bow tie experts that could install that wireless router or a flat-screen television for a price. Apple is doing something similar by exporting its retail Genius techs for small business. The Cupertino, Calif. company reportedly will unveil Wednesday Joint Venture, a $500 per year service with the motto: “Get Setup. Get Trained. Keep Running.”
Sunday retail employees reportedly received word of the new service, which could be launched along with Apple’s much-rumored next-generation Apple iPad 2 during a San Francisco, Calif. media event. The new service would be offered to businesses purchasing a Mac, covering five systems with more unit support costing an additional $99 per year.
Among the services expected to be available through Joint Venture:
The service is set to launch March 2 in the U.S. and March 3 in the U.K., according to Monday reports. AppleCare and One to One service plans will continue operating. A concern is how Joint Venture will impact the Apple Consultants Network, a group of certified Apple consultants who supported businesses.
Ed Sutherland is a veteran technology journalist who first heard of Apple when they grew on trees, Yahoo was run out of a Stanford dorm and Google was an unknown upstart. Since then, Sutherland has covered the whole technology landscape, concentrating on tracking the trends and figuring out the finances of large (and small) technology companies.
12 responses to “Apple Targets Small Business with Joint Venture Support Plan”
“A concern is how Joint Venture will impact the Apple Consultants Network, a group of certified Apple consultants who supported businesses.”
This is more than just a concern, this is putting Apple in direct competition with their independent consultants. They did this to retailers a few years back when the Apple Store was launched, and put many out of business.
I’m an Apple Consultants Network member. I and my fellow ACN colleagues are approaching this change very warily. The addition of OnForce to Apple’s package has not been met with much enthusiasm by ACN members. Joint Venture now looks to be the next level of distancing.
Agreed, as an ACN member, I find the OnForce thing a thing to stay away from. I’ve built my business and my brand toa point where I won’t be a subcontrator in “their” shirt. Joint Venture I’m wary about as well since not every solution presented to my customer base from Apple is the best solution for them. APple has tons of great offerings, but selling a 25 user base company owner a few TimeCapsules for a corporate backup lan is not one of them.
I’ve been a member of the ACN for about 18 months now, and I quietly read about all the comments back and forth. I think that it might have an impact on certain ACNs, but I actually welcome this new service, this is something I don’t have the resources to provide and I believe it’s more of an opportunity, as Apple becomes more interesting to small businesses, more business for us.
I’m a pretty diversified consultant, I am Windows and Cisco certified and most of my business has been precisely plugging in those little holes that Apple will not and will never cover. They might help a customer setup an Airport Express, but as soon as they want a hardware VPN solution, need to run a Windows server concurrently, or anything that falls outside their area, they’ll keep referring them to us, BUT ONLY if we remain a solid group of professional consultants that learn to work in synergy with Apple, they’re the whale, and we’re the remoras. It’s no different with other IT vendors of their size, they have their own bottom line to pursue and we’re tagging along with one of the most well recognized and admired brands.
It’s time to diversify and improve your skills, and that’s not just a reality in this world, China and India are coming for your IT job, we need to step up. (actually, they’re already “here”…)
I would agree with ACNshivers. Many of Apple’s products are not designed for the business environment, and this is why hiring some from the Apple Consultants Network can be an advantage. We have a lot more technical knowledge of other solutions. I find it very odd that Apple would burn their bridges with a group of tech’s as myself, who have been loyal and who’ve brought in a ton of money to the local Apple stores. Not anymore! I’m trying to figure out why I should renew with the ACN group, which cost money for nothing in return. This is a huge mistake Apple.
Interesting and informative post
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Being part of the Apple Consultants Network pretty much rules me out for having any interest or need for the program.  On the contrary, it weakens my potential client base.  Most of my customers are small businesses, you know, the ones that won’t need me as much any more.  I guess I’ll have to stick to house calls for little old ladies.  Actually my comments are somewhat “tongue in cheek”.  This service won’t take away all of my work, but it will have an impact.