Re: Depends on definition of "grey" @Jay108
1) "Why would you first sell a server with a Windows license preinstalled AND provide another OS license with it?" Some entry level servers come with foundation COA attached, not our choice our decision. Under HP rules we're not allowed to resell it with a different OS if it has a COA sticker.
2) Upgrading the firmware before giving it to customers.
3) Businesses are international therefore are likely to move servers between datacentres and locations. We don't touch wireless stuff unless it's CISCO grade. I understand why wireless frequencies are barred in certain countries. Why servers? There is no logical reason why a server bought in one country cannot be used in another without fear of voiding things. We resell, what country the customer uses the server when we resell it shouldn't matter. We're not the end customer therefore that doc is not relevant to us. We do follow HP rules on reselling.
4) If we resell HP hardware we MUST inform them when we make modifications to the server (i.e. add components). i.e HP wants to know what hard disks, memory, RAID cards are added before sale. In fact you're raising the very same points to an HP manager I was speaking to. We're reselling with changes to the hardware. The doc is labelled #408101 I'm sure el reg will get a copy in due course, depends how much HP snazz off their partners and resellers.
Upselling with a purpose whether it being future proofing or providing additional goods, not to undercut or force a reseller to lose business by having HP compete directly against one of it's own partners. There is a difference. Again Dell doesn't ask what the contract is for, Supermicro don't either. IBM certainly doesn't either. Or the costs associated with the project - that is usually between the buyer and the seller.
Other providers would still support the server, minus the third party card. HP threatens the invalidate the entire warranty of the server it's installed in if it's resold with the card in it. I say threaten.
Dell, IBM, Supermicro get this, HP doesn't. The rules for HP change regularly or HP employees are unsure themselves of what the exact rules are.
Don't get me wrong I like HP servers, I like the HP toolsets and kits. They're deployment and automation tools are second to none, but on their dealing with other companies it feels like we're getting a raw end of a deal. Plus we can't even get decent selling support ourselves from HP; given our status and size it really is surprising. What one HP manager says to another on reselling rules varies wildly. The fact that they are now targeting "greymarket" with the points mentioned above, I suspect they'll hit a few of their partners and resellers in the bumbling chaos and confusion.