FedEx Switching to Mac?

[thegeek187]

It about time


fedex sucks


i had to get a new logic board on my laptop so they had to send it away fedex messed up sent it to someone else in texas and im in NY, so 2 days pass a nice apple retail employee does some reserch and finds out comp usa gave this guy the same dispatch # as mine, so i got his instead


then fedex delivers it to someone 2 blocks away from me!

and "overnight" delivery is really 3 days to fedex


never again will i use fedex even if they are using macs

 

[wdlove]

Here in Boston FedEx has lived up to ontime delivery. My overnight or next day from Apple were on time. No complaints from my end.

 

[ewinemiller]

It about time


fedex sucks

I have to agree. I'm on the tail end of the Fedex route, it's guaranteed that if I have a Friday scheduled delivery, it suddenly shows up in the system "address doesn't exist", even when the same guy was there Thursday. Strange that Mr. Friday Happy Hour never has a problem delivering the same package come Monday. I'm also on the tail end of the UPS route too, but I've seen them show up at 8:45pm on a Friday to deliver on a busy day.

I somehow suspect that changing platform is not going to change those kinds of problems.

 

[Stutmannen]

Why not?

Sorry to sound pessimistic... Think I've just spent too long working for large companies.

They might look into a Citrix solution. I work in a Windows environment with my PBG4 12", run must of my apps natively (Office, Mail etc) and Windows-only from our Citrix server. Keeps me productive and virus-free (the server is relatively easy to protect from viruses).

 

[Jack Reacher]

FedEx can buy a couple minutes on the G5 Terascale Cluster at Virginia Tech.....that's all the time they'll need to convert their databases from M$ Access to MySQL.

The FedEx business decision is based on Total Cost of Ownership. FedEx realized that OS X was equal to the task and would cost them far less across their entire enterprise.

I'd pay money to watch the FedEx President tell their MCSE IT folks to either take Apple certification training or plan on working the counter (would you like fries with that?).

If this deal with FedEx proves true......it's a major coup for Apple. Winning over the likes of FedEx will prove that Apple is a viable choice for mainstream businesses, not just specialized Media, Scientific and Educational segments.

And if Apple wants to turn a ripple into a wave, let's not forget......FedEx just bought Kinkos!

 

[Frobozz]

I have a question though, why macs and not switching to Linux? Wouldn't it be cheaper for a company like FedEx that already has the x86 hardware to load Linux and OpenOffice.

Because Linux really isn't a viable alternative for a desktop computer. Supporting Linux and it's hodge podge of propritary software is just as much of a problem as you can imagine. At least with the Mac you have a clear OS vendor with well established companies that provide excellent third party software.

I can imagine they'd replace computers in one of three locations: offices, terminals, or back end hardware. I doubt all three would happen at once.

 

[iChan]

I always knew FedEx is the best shipping company--here in the United States, at least--and this just confirms it.

Cool trivia fact: Did you know there's an arrow hidden in the FedEx logo? Can you find it?

yeah, that's an old one. the negative area formed by the Orange E & X forms the arrow. nice one though

 

[nightcap965]

Proprietary?

i fear someone's been sipping from the Microsoft FUD fountain. While it is possible to find proprietary software that runs on Linux, most is open source. There is no more a hodgepodge of Linux software than there is of Windows or MacOS. All support organizations know the mantra, "We don't support that." The supported computer in business is the one running the standard IS build. Anyone calling the HelpDesk to complain that Frobozz Fritzwerks makes his screen flicker will receive The Mantra in response. If he presses the matter, his hard disk will be wiped and the standard build re-installed. The message is clear: if you run non-supported software, you're on your own.

Linux is actually easier to manage because configuration files are simple text documents, not Windows Registry arcana.

-- Bill

Because Linux really isn't a viable alternative for a desktop computer. Supporting Linux and it's hodge podge of propritary software is just as much of a problem as you can imagine. At least with the Mac you have a clear OS vendor with well established companies that provide excellent third party software.

I can imagine they'd replace computers in one of three locations: offices, terminals, or back end hardware. I doubt all three would happen at once.

 

[ThomasJefferson]

Double Plus Good.

FedEx would offer significant visibility in the business world for Apple. I can visualize the Apple/FedEx TV ad now. Maybe, Tom Hanks as a FedEx employee stranded on an island with only his Mac for company.

 

[MorganX]

i fear someone's been sipping from the Microsoft FUD fountain. While it is possible to find proprietary software that runs on Linux, most is open source. There is no more a hodgepodge of Linux software than there is of Windows or MacOS. All support organizations know the mantra, "We don't support that." The supported computer in business is the one running the standard IS build. Anyone calling the HelpDesk to complain that Frobozz Fritzwerks makes his screen flicker will receive The Mantra in response. If he presses the matter, his hard disk will be wiped and the standard build re-installed. The message is clear: if you run non-supported software, you're on your own.

Linux is actually easier to manage because configuration files are simple text documents, not Windows Registry arcana.
-- Bill

Let's see, after you decide which distro to use, and which UI, uh, no thanks. No time, these are business desktops.

The Mac is the only serious desktop alternative to Windows right now, and in the forseeable future. Pretending otherwise is a nice way to pass the time, but getting very boring and old. At it's current progress rate, the Linux Desktop will never be unified or as efficient and usable as Windows or MacOS. JMO, of course.

And another thing, when Linux gets serious about the consumer and business desktop, how about giving applications some names that can actually be deciphered and understood at a glance by ma and pa kettle?

>>Linux is actually easier to manage because configuration files are simple text documents, not Windows Registry arcana.<<

Who the hell manages desktops by editing the Registry (buzzword alert)?

 

[JW Pepper]

Whilst I love the imac I can understand some large corporates will not relish the idea of not being able to replace the screen without loosing the whole computer. The same can be said of the eMac. As for the G5, the box is simply too big and expensive. I am sure Apple is aware of this problem, but does not want to crucify current sales of premium products.

The answer is that Apple need the Powermacs to go G5 second generation DP. Then it will be possible to sell a single G5 (First gen) in a small slim box with cheap graphics card, (BTO upgrades), with combo drives for corporate sales. A 17" screen and cheap low spec'd G5 box should be attractive to corporates. Oh and get rid of the translucent keyboards, which fill with hairs, crumbs and dust, the do look nice when new though.

 

[marke]

 

[FlamDrag]

I find this highly unlikely. Here's why:

My father-in-law runs a FedEx authorized outlet (similar to the old Mailboxes Etc.). FedEx just gave him $1500.00 to purchase a brand new PC to be used for FedEx purposes ONLY. That is to say, they can come into the store at any time (yeah right) and there had better be only FedEx stuff on there. FedEx's machine (I believe) only has Windows and FedEx special software on it. Therefore - by my estimation - it should be pretty immune to any e-mail virus as e-mail does not come in on this machine.

My father-in-law is not alone. FedEx spent gobs and gobs of money on this to buy computers for others just like him. I find it difficult to believe that they would spend even more to switch to Mac at this point in time.

 

[jocknerd]

Their business machine would be the emac/imac

Just get lowend emac. whats the problem?

The emac/iMac is not a business machine. I wouldn't want either one of them in my business. What happens if the screen dies? You've got to have separate monitors for easy swapping.

One day Apple will get it. Or maybe they have no interest in the corporate world. Maybe they are happy with what they concentrate on.

 

[jcshas]

applause applause!

This would be the shot in the arm Apple has needed for a very long time - a major presence in a large enterprise. Its high time OS X/Macs made the move onto corporate desktops. Hopefully Fed Ex's influence will convince others to follow suit!

 

[trek7k]

Just some interesting stuff from the FedEx Website, lots of similarities in the two companies approaches to technology.

You know in all the business magazines I read they often refer to FedEx as a technology company rather than a shipping company because they rely on technology to such a large degree. I've also heard the same said about WalMart (evidence their upcoming implementation of RFID)...

 

[jocknerd]

What utter nonsense

Because Linux really isn't a viable alternative for a desktop computer. Supporting Linux and it's hodge podge of propritary software is just as much of a problem as you can imagine. At least with the Mac you have a clear OS vendor with well established companies that provide excellent third party software.

KDE and Gnome are both viable desktop environments. In fact, giving an end user a computer is getting to be overkill. Thin client is the future. Running apps over a network reduces the need for support. I'd guess that in most corporate settings, at least 75% of the desktop computers could be replaced with thin clients. As applications become more web-based, the need for a computer on the desktop diminishes even more.

What the hell are you talking about proprietary software on Linux? It seems to me that you are trolling.

 

[heathpitts]

Here comes the return of the Cube! If this were to happen the cube form factor could be used to make space requirements small and being aluminum, a very tough case.

 

[ewinemiller]

Whilst I love the imac I can understand some large corporates will not relish the idea of not being able to replace the screen without loosing the whole computer.

Hmmm, I must work for the opposite corporation. They will replace the machine, just not the screen. We finally got upgraded from the 500mhz PIIIs that we got 4 years ago, but still using the 17" monitors. It seems that for the companies that I've worked for, monitors outlive the usefulness of a desktop by nearly 2 to 1. I can only speak for my own experience, but I don't see anyone buying the emac/imac solution for the typical workstation. Buy a $500 box and a $200 monitor. If the machine gets too slow for it's task, swap it out for another $500 box, but you leave the monitor.

 

[fixyourthinking]

What's so hard about

The emac/iMac is not a business machine. I wouldn't want either one of them in my business. What happens if the screen dies? You've got to have separate monitors for easy swapping.

One day Apple will get it. Or maybe they have no interest in the corporate world. Maybe they are happy with what they concentrate on.

What's so hard about having parts in storage in the IT dept? It is no more hassle to replace the LCD on an iMac LCD than it is to lug a 15/17/20 inch CRT or disconnect the power supplies/cabling from a large LCD.

If I have the part (dome with LCD) I can do it in less than 15 minutes. Besides how many iMac LCDs or eMac CRT's are you expecting to go bad? Apple may have problems, but tested machines like the iMac and eMac have almost zero quality issues.

MOST computers are TOTALLY replaced ANYWAY - even if the keyboard goes bad!!!

 

[djcobb44]

I used to work for FedEx...

In the 2 years that I worked for FedEx Express, there were 3-4 times that viruses resulted in a complete shut down to the tracking system across the country, not to mention cash registers. Needless to say, customers were frustrated, money was lost, time was wasted trying to resolve issues and looking up prices. The problem is that all computers are tied to a central server, and if that server goes down, all computers across the country do too, so replacing computers in each FedEx station will probably not happen, but replacing the main server at HQ probably would make better sense.

 

[Savage Henry]

Hmmm, I must work for the opposite corporation. They will replace the machine, just not the screen. We finally got upgraded from the 500mhz PIIIs that we got 4 years ago, but still using the 17" monitors. It seems that for the companies that I've worked for, monitors outlive the usefulness of a desktop by nearly 2 to 1. ... Buy a $500 box and a $200 monitor. If the machine gets too slow for it's task, swap it out for another $500 box, but you leave the monitor.

Yep, agree with you there sir. I think our monitors are older than the post-franking machine.

My company will want either a downgraded G5 or a cheaper version of the current one to feel as though they've got something out of it if it came to it. And you can be sure thes same nasty dust cluttered monitors will be there.

 

[ewinemiller]

MOST computers are TOTALLY replaced ANYWAY - even if the keyboard goes bad!!!

Not in our shop. In our last round of upgrades, they didn't even send a new power cord.

 

[flexoffset]

the hidden arrow says/signifies that we are moving forwards to deliver your important package.

That's works fine for passenger side, but the arrow points towards the rear of the truck on the driver side.

I was one of only about 4 or 5 people who installed the decals back in the '90s when they made the big official rollout. We were joking about that arrow going the wrong way on one side of the truck.
It was summer and we were in Memphis in a utility building. They had the windows taped shut, and ultra security. Too bad it was about 134 degrees F in the warehouse.

We make all their fleet decals where I work.

I've been inside their world hq and they have about 13 or 14 buildings at least, each would appear to be 7 or 8 floors tall. Each floor is a huge open space with cubicles set up. Inside each cubicle was someone typing in a 'Word' document on a PC.

If this is true, there will be a tremendous shortage of macs while the order is filled.
Oh yeah....Each floor of each building has it's own IT guy, as I recall.

 

[stingerman]

Not in our shop. In our last round of upgrades, they didn't even send a new power cord.

I reuse my mice and keyboards between Macs and PC's. Power cords too, they are all interchangeable.

If this rumor is true, we did Apple a great disservice by publishing it. Now Apple's competitors will be applying even greater pressure on FedEX and giving them financial incentives not to switch.