Supportmarked for Linuxbrukere

Nå kan alle Linux-brukere få teknisk hjelp fra SGI over internett.
SGI Global Services har i samarbeide med ePeople lansert en ny markedsplass for teknisk support på internett.

Her kan alle Linuxbrukere søke hjelp hos SGIs eksperter. Man kan logge seg på hos SGI (SGI Online Helpdesk) eller hos www.epeople.com. Man behøver ikke være kunde hos SGI for å benytte seg av tjenesten. Tilsammen 200 av SGIs Open Source support-teknikere bemanner tjenesten som er tilgjengelig til enhver tid. ePeople organiserer over 19.000 serviceleverandører i mer enn 100 land, så det er en enorm kunnskapsbase man nå får tilgang til.


Her er hele lanseringsmeldingen fra SGI:
SGI and ePeople Launch New Online Technical Support Marketplace for Linux Users
New Online Helpdesk Extends Service Offerings; ePeople Marketplace Allows Any Linux User to Get Web-Based Support from SGI
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2000)--SGISM (NYSE: SGI) Global Services, a leading provider of enterprise Linux® operating system services, and ePeopleTM, the largest and most comprehensive e-support marketplace, today joined forces to bring a new online technical support marketplace to Linux users. With this expanded service, Linux users can receive fast and convenient Web-based Linux support from SGI experts.
Users can access SGI experts through the new SGISM Online Helpdesk or through the ePeopleTM marketplace Web site. Powered by ePeople's robust infrastructure and service delivery tools, the new SGI Online Helpdesk is currently available to all Linux users worldwide.
"As the use of Linux technology becomes more widespread within corporations, IT managers are having a difficult time meeting the growing demand for dependable Linux support," said Jorge Helmer, senior vice president of SGI Global Services. "By partnering with ePeople, we are able to provide corporate Linux customers with the SGI Online Helpdesk, which offers fast, reliable and highly personalized assistance."
The agreement also allows the more than 200 SGI open source operating system support technicians to join the ePeople marketplace to provide fee-based Linux support to anyone who needs it. The addition of SGI's support staff for Linux further strengthens the ePeople talent pool of 19,000 service providers in more than 100 countries.
How It Works
Linux users can receive support through the new SGI Online Helpdesk or through the ePeople marketplace Web site. Visitors to the SGI Online Helpdesk are automatically connected to technicians who are using ePeople's service delivery tools, including live chat. Features include:
· Users can opt to receive immediate support or they can schedule a meeting time that works best for them
· E-mail notifications are sent by SGI technicians to update users on the status of their support incident
· Each incident is tracked through completion and is available online in an incident history report
· Users can rate the level of service from technicians following each completed transaction, providing valuable performance information to help SGI enhance its service quality
SGI also offers Web-based service incident packs, called WebPacks, from its Online Helpdesk, making SGI the first to provide this type of service agreement through the ePeople marketplace. WebPacks are prepaid service agreements available in quantities of 5, 10 or 20 incidents, making them flexible and affordable. For example, a 5-incident WebPack costs only 9 (U.S. list) and can be purchased online through the Online Helpdesk.
"The ePeople marketplace enables technology companies like SGI to create the kind of full-service environment that will continue to establish Linux as a rapidly growing element of the business world," said Anthony Lye, president and CEO of ePeople. "Our Web-based technical support infrastructure and unique marketplace will allow SGI to quickly and effortlessly extend its broad technical expertise and provide its customers with a round-the-clock Linux support, regardless of location."
About SGI and SGI Global Services
SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their toughest computing problems. With more than 1,600 employees worldwide, SGI Global Services offers comprehensive Linux, IRIX® and MIPS® technology services, from system integration consulting services and robust support services to a full suite of customer education offerings. Linux OS-specific services from SGI include mission-critical services, per-incident CallPacks and WebPacks, value-added services, education courses and direct support for all major Linux distributions. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices worldwide, SGI is located on the Web at www.sgi.com.
About ePeople
Founded in 1997, ePeople is the largest and most comprehensive e-support marketplace. ePeople provides technology vendors and IT departments with Web-based technology solutions that allow them to better support their customers and manage their internal and external resources in cooperation with the ePeople network of more than 19,000 service providers. Customers and partners of ePeople include Adobe, CNET, Microsoft Corp., McAfee, PCWorld.com, Seagate Software, SGI, SITEL Corp. and Support.com. More information is available at www.epeople.com.