NeXT's resellers are reacting warmly to the impending release of NeXTSTEP for Intel.
"The fact that NeXT will move to '486 is very exciting," said Vinny Mullineaux, vice-president of Trirex Systems, a system integrator in Westport, Connecticut. "We see the market expanding tremendously."
Even VARs who sold NeXT hardware are unexpectedly behind the move.
NeXT hardware reseller Keith Martin, president of B Cubed in Woodbridge, New Jersey, said he's more committed to NeXT than ever. "I spent a week doing damage control. A lot of customers bought 30 to 40 units at a time. I told them they're in a better position because they can buy anyone's hardware now."
B Cubed is signing up as a reseller for Dell, Epson, and NEC PCs. It will also apply for Sun and HP authorization, based on rumors Martin has heard about ports of NeXTSTEP to SPARC and PA-RISC.
NeXT Channel Manager Erna Arnesen said, "Our value-added dealers were affected more than our VARs and integrators, but many VADs see more volume opportunity in sell-ing a range of hardware than in just selling a proprietary box," said Arnesen. "It's a short-term adjustment and most of them are interested in moving forward with us."