Completely lapsed and left that out. Support is very cavalier. If you submit a web ticket, it can be days before they even look at it. A lot of problems are just brushed off, you're given a curt "its not a problem with our software" and that is that. I understand they are at the mercy of the device vendor when it comes to certain things, for example Apple cutting off device tracking of WiFi-only iPads.
I really dislike the blackbox aspect of AirWatch itself. You prep the servers, but they perform the install and the updates. You have to pay for updates out of a bank of paid hours. For example, you want to go from 5.5 to 5.6. If it takes an hour and a half, it is taken out of your bank. You also pay for every device you have checked into AirWatch. It just reeks of double-charging. You don't get charged if you have a problem stemming from a bug.
I install and maintain much more complicated software. I'd really rather they give me the update and if it goes awry then I'd call support. It runs on Windows server, it isn't rocket science.
The initial install support and training was sub-par, too. The same engineer that performs the install also gives you a basic rundown on the console. Very quick, and sometimes the best technical people shouldn't also train people on its usage.
That all being said, I have about 1200 devices in AirWatch. More or less I am the only person for the deployment and maintenance of these devices. I have very little complaints about the use of AirWatch, my job would be a lot more difficult without it.
If I was an investor, these types of answers are the real gems that I would look for before making any acquisition.
"That all being said, I have about 1200 devices in AirWatch. More or less I am the only person for the deployment and maintenance of these devices. I have very little complaints about the use of AirWatch, my job would be a lot more difficult without it."
And in fact, these are the sorts of things that M&A departments at large companies look for - companies with good market share, a product that drives value, but perhaps are not perfect on execution (sales, support, implementation), because that's where the acquirer can add incremental value.
Hey, this is off topic, but I am no economist and I am curious. I've heard your argument before, and it seems really obvious that this must be the reason we don't have a lot of inflation.
But what is stopping all the money that has been printed from at one point entering the economy and causing inflation? From the previous chart, I read that the amount of money in the US economy has more than quadrupled. Is this a correct interpretation?
Most of the money is passed between central banks and technically insolvent[1] banks, helping them repair their balance sheet and dispose of toxic assets.
Some of the money seeps into the economy and may be inflating stocks and other assets. For example, banks are given loans at zero interest[2] and they can use that money for whatever, e.g. proprietary trading, bonds/treasuries, etc.
Perhaps some of that money finds its way into investment funds and eventually tech start-ups?
The three main reasons are: size, language and research funding.
The best higher education institutions in France are the "Grande Écoles", which are very small compared to North American univesities. Around 500 students graduate each year from the École polytechnique, for example. Although there are a lot more students who study to be accepted at these écoles, they do so in another parallel system called "classes préparatoires". Which is in its self separate from French university system.
The French language does play another important role. France has not adopted english as much as Germany or the Scandinavian countries have. Publication is almost always done in French. Although my American friends tell me things have improved a lot in the past 10 years.
Finally, although french universities and grand écoles perform basic and applied research, a majority of the work is done at public research labs. Their scientific results are attached to the lab, which are not part of the universities. Although they can often be in the same location.
Nonetheless, if you ever have the opportunity and get accepted by one of these écoles do not hesitate to go. They are very good schools.
