Think I've come across a shady IT service provider

[chansen]

I'm doing some custom software for a company I used to work for. Their current IT provider is in the middle of upgrading the server from a single NT4 box to Windows 2000 Advanced Server, with a planned second box for Exchange 2000. The company has only the one location, with fewer than 25 client machines.

I asked why Advanced Server, but they ignored the question. AS costs twice as much as regular Server, and the main advantage that I see is the clustering - useless in their case, right? Plus, there is a lot of new software installed on their server and client machines since I left, but no new boxes or licence agreements that I could find.

Plus, I recently priced an Exchange install, and quoted my cost for Exchange and CAL's (from Insight.com) plus labour to a guaranteed maximum - just to try to get my foot in the door. The response was that my labour cost was competitive, but their current IT guys could get Exchange for much less. Do Exchange CAL's come in cereal boxes these days?

I think these guys are charging excellent software prices, and installing bootleg copies.

Any ideas for questions I should ask or actions to take?

Regards,
Craig

 

[miguel]

It's not your problem. The customer should look into them, not you, being the competitor trying to "get your foot in the door."

 

[Garion]

It's possible that they might be quoting volume licence agreement pricing whereas you're buying through normal "retail" channels. That can have a major impact on the price.

In any case, if you don't get the job, you might want to offer your services as an "consultant" to verify their work - Make sure they get the licences, etc. to you and that their solution is proven - You can always request things like for them to demonstrate a full backup / restore, etc.

- G