Microsoft Traffic
August 16, 2009
Short honk: I spoke with a person about Microsoft’s pricing tactics for the Fast ESP search system. I promised to do some thinking about how Microsoft will get Fast ESP into its accounts. I think there are important sign posts. First, Microsoft offers those who use Bing.com double cash back. Search Engine Land explains why paying people to use a search system is working. The article includes a chart. Younger eyes than mine may find it helpful. Second, Microsoft has allegedly priced the Zune HD lower than Apple’s iTouch. Putting these two data points in my addled goose brain, I anticipate that Microsoft will try to “sell” Microsoft Fast ESP. When the customer balks, Microsoft will bundle Fast ESP with other Microsoft products as long as the customer agrees to pay for those CALs. In short, open source search may have a challenger—free Microsoft Fast ESP. Now about those set up, tuning, and upgrading fees? My addled goose brain sees those costing real money. The question becomes, “Will Microsoft be able to generate enough cash to satisfy Wall Street and subsidize products that are bleeding red ink?”
Stephen Arnold, August 15, 2009
Comments
One Response to “Microsoft Traffic”
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
Since i’ve had Vista, i’ll make sure i NEVER use anything by Microsoft again as long as i live…hear Mac is coming up with a $600 notebook, so saving up for that Apple:)