It's a bit of a daunting subject line, but based on my experiences with Parallels, I think it applies.
Don't get me wrong. I have two copies of Parallels -- one Mac and one PC/Linux. Thhe Mac version is fantastic, the PC version, well, WAS fantastic, but it's showing its lack of support... I've also got VMWare licenses.
I think we have reason to say Parallels should be concerned about its long-term future. Why?
1. Ever try to get suppot for any version? I'm not talking about the PC/Linux version here.
I've posted multiple questions, incuding simple pre-sales "I will buy more if it will do this" questionss. In six months, I've YET to get ANY FORM of a response. Note, I have learned, that by downloading a trial of anything, I will get a cold-call from Parallels asking me about buying more site copies. The person on the phone knows absolutely nothing about the product at a technical level, but it proves somewhere is at least, there.
2. Is the PC/Linux version alive?
Sure, the Mac version sells well now... to the point where Parallels doesn't need to care about the PC/Linux version -- let VMWare/Microsoft have that, but will it always?
VMWare was scared into development of the Fusion product. Clearly, it was a "!$#!@# THere's a market in that mac stuff -- we should do something" moment. And it shows.
But give them time. Much like Microsoft, eventually, they will have something on par with Paralllels. And, based on support and updates, unless Parallels, gets its act together, eventually, the lure of having a product that can run on any platform, and scale, will bury Parallels. Sure, you will have a server product, but I'm getting tired of waiting for a PC desktop update....
3. Dont' count out Apple itself.
Apple, right now, believes in Bootcamp. However, as kernel virutalization becomes common, as in Linux KVM, it's much easier for Apple just to run virutalization as part of the OS. What is Parallels beyound window dressing? Today, they can't touch it, but in time, Parallels will need something beyound what they have to survive. That something is support and upgrades.
I've seen this before -- hot young ocmpany is so successful they can no longe serve their customers. We all know what happens next.
Don't get me wrong. I have two copies of Parallels -- one Mac and one PC/Linux. Thhe Mac version is fantastic, the PC version, well, WAS fantastic, but it's showing its lack of support... I've also got VMWare licenses.
I think we have reason to say Parallels should be concerned about its long-term future. Why?
1. Ever try to get suppot for any version? I'm not talking about the PC/Linux version here.
I've posted multiple questions, incuding simple pre-sales "I will buy more if it will do this" questionss. In six months, I've YET to get ANY FORM of a response. Note, I have learned, that by downloading a trial of anything, I will get a cold-call from Parallels asking me about buying more site copies. The person on the phone knows absolutely nothing about the product at a technical level, but it proves somewhere is at least, there.
2. Is the PC/Linux version alive?
Sure, the Mac version sells well now... to the point where Parallels doesn't need to care about the PC/Linux version -- let VMWare/Microsoft have that, but will it always?
VMWare was scared into development of the Fusion product. Clearly, it was a "!$#!@# THere's a market in that mac stuff -- we should do something" moment. And it shows.
But give them time. Much like Microsoft, eventually, they will have something on par with Paralllels. And, based on support and updates, unless Parallels, gets its act together, eventually, the lure of having a product that can run on any platform, and scale, will bury Parallels. Sure, you will have a server product, but I'm getting tired of waiting for a PC desktop update....
3. Dont' count out Apple itself.
Apple, right now, believes in Bootcamp. However, as kernel virutalization becomes common, as in Linux KVM, it's much easier for Apple just to run virutalization as part of the OS. What is Parallels beyound window dressing? Today, they can't touch it, but in time, Parallels will need something beyound what they have to survive. That something is support and upgrades.
I've seen this before -- hot young ocmpany is so successful they can no longe serve their customers. We all know what happens next.