French Linux vendor Mandriva's chief executive Francois Bancilhon has lashed out against Microsoft for alleged dirty sales tactics over a Nigerian deal. The company recently competed against the software giant for a deal to provide the software for Intel's Classmate PCs in Nigeria, a computer is a low cost notebook computer for developing nations and supports both Linux and Windows operating systems. The Linux vendor reeled in the contract and started shipping its software for the first 17,000 Classmate PCs. But it soon found out that Microsoft's sales team had continued to keep pushing for a deal.
"Today, we hear from the customer a totally different story: 'We shall pay for the Mandriva Software as agreed, but we shall replace it by Windows afterward,'" Bancilhon complained in an open letter that was posted on a company blog on Wednesday. The tone of the posting became agitated and Bancilhon suggested that Microsoft used unscrupulous business tactics, apparently claiming that Microsoft bribed officials.
"Today, we hear from the customer a totally different story: 'We shall pay for the Mandriva Software as agreed, but we shall replace it by Windows afterward,'" Bancilhon complained in an open letter that was posted on a company blog on Wednesday. The tone of the posting became agitated and Bancilhon suggested that Microsoft used unscrupulous business tactics, apparently claiming that Microsoft bribed officials.
Naturally Microsoft denied any wrongdoings and aruged instead that Nigera had changed its mind because Windows better matched its needs. "Microsoft strongly believes that individuals, governments and other organizations should be free to use the software and other technologies that best meet their needs. We believe Microsoft offers the best overall option of value, integration, interoperability and support, without complexity or added dependency on services," the company said in an emailed statement.
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So the they are complaining not because they don't get the money or they can't tell MS what to do, but because they couldn't have both?
^^ I sense they're more concerned of marketshare over sales.
Mandriva on the other hand is the os choice of saints and martyrs. STFU Mandriva, if you could have afforded to pull it off you would have.
I know what you mean, but economic sociopaths can't tell the difference so to them making profit by any means is a good thing.
I'm shocked you'd say such a thing...
I was figuring that Microsoft offered them an "Instant Cash Back" deal like they do with cars... >.> That way, they get their discount on the software in cold, hard cash.
Or, the govt saw this:
They were going in to a deal with a 'young' company Mandriva Software, then realized that the other company, Microsoft has a tried and proven OS, with lots of cash flow. And, overall, there is a MUCH higher chance of Microsoft being there in the coming years than the other company. So, in order to do the best for their government coffers, and for their people, they chose the software company that's more financially stable.
Actually bribery is legal in many countries and is practically a requirement to do any deals in third world countries. I don't know about Nigeria, but I can imagine it is the same way.
Now, in the US, you are right, bribery is illegal and US companies are not supposed to take part in legal bribary in foreign nations. This is something many multinational and international companies complain about because we lose to to the competition. So, many US companies probably do it but try to keep it on the down low.
Its funny how people jump to conclusions when certain parties are involved but brush aside the things they do on a daily basis that are in their own best interest.
It happens every day as employees fight against eachother for bonuses and promotions; literally stepping on their co-workers to get ahead, yet they can find justification for their actions, while at the same time calling someone else doing the same thing evil. Simply Amazing!
Some behind-the-scenes extra-contractual "business" goes on between Microsoft and Nigerian government, and suddenly Nigeria announces they are dumping the OS and reinstalling all units with Windows.
To correct your "employee" analogy, worker A gets the promotion over worker B. Worker B goes to the boss, after the fact, then suddenly worker A (who has done everything he should have to meet the requirements for the promotion after besting worker B in this competition) is suddenly let know that he is being fired.
"Simply Amazing!" indeed.
Some behind-the-scenes extra-contractual "business" goes on between Microsoft and Nigerian government, and suddenly Nigeria announces they are dumping the OS and reinstalling all units with Windows.
To correct your "employee" analogy, worker A gets the promotion over worker B. Worker B goes to the boss, after the fact, then suddenly worker A (who has done everything he should have to meet the requirements for the promotion after besting worker B in this competition) is suddenly let know that he is being fired.
"Simply Amazing!" indeed.
What he's talking about above is modern capitalism which is run, and supported, by economic sociopaths. To them all profit is good profit no matter the means....
It sure is sad when people let their mouths fly off like that before they even have their facts straight. It gives all credibility to Microsoft who hasn't been proven guilty.
My analogy above says the same. Some unknown conversations took place. Francois (Mandriva CEO) is far more speculative and upset.
I would add that Microsoft got "beat" by Mandriva in the contract. It's not like Mandriva lost during the competetive bid process. They went head-to-head against Microsoft, and Microsoft lost the bid. It was the unknown conversations after the contract award that caused this event.
EDIT: I am sure that Microsoft just was talking to the Nigarian government about how sorry they were to have lost the bid, and how impressed they were that Mandriva was able to deliver on-time and meet the contract requirements. Yup.
LOL ..awesome.
Well it seems after this all them that did need to STFU
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