Channel veteran on 'ethical' mission to clean up SAM market

MerlinCorp boss Paul Davis accuses some SAM firms of profiteering

A recruiter has launched a campaign to out what it claims are some unscrupulous software-asset management (SAM) firms which are cashing in on end users' fear.

Software-specialised recruiter Merlin Corp claims that channel firms are looking to SAM services in a bid to add value to their offering, but added that not everyone has their customers' best interests at heart.

Its managing director Paul Davis said some are looking to "ride the [SAM] gravy train for a quick buck", something he wants to stop.

"Whilst you may see me as a recruiter, I do have high ethics and all I can say is 'buyer beware'," he said. "It is a fact that, sadly, certain service providers cut corners as their sales staff promise more than they can deliver.

I believe that the serial offenders [should be] earmarked accordingly and given the chance to change market perception. Everyone makes mistakes, I accept that, but as Winston Churchill said: ‘all men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from them'."

To that end, Davis has launched a survey on his Licensing and SAM LinkedIn group - which has almost 5,000 members - in a bid to discover the best and worst company operating in the market.

He said that by pointing out the industry's winners and losers, the market can thrive.

"This is a simple question and I am aware that everyone's answer is personal to them, [but] it should nevertheless out the less-ethical pretenders," he said.

He added that some have accused him of stirring up trouble and giving the industry a bad name, but defended his intentions.

"I have received a few comments from [some] big vendors already - two have stated that comments that attack or chastise anyone who is pro-SAM is potentially a self-defeating prophecy [but] I personally disagree," he said.

"I ask a question - would you send your children to a school that you had not first checked out? Reputations are everything when you commit to any purchase. That is why every SAM purveyor should be building their own reputation rather than riding the gravy train for a quick buck."