The “grey market” is a tempting way to make a saving on new technology – but it’s not worth the risk.

Relationships are important – in business, as in our personal lives. And all relationships are built on trust. At Sun, we’ve spent the last 24 years crafting friendships and partnerships with our customers: by innovating the very best technology, maintaining rigorous quality standards, and focusing on the individual needs of businesses. That’s why our customers trust us to help solve their issues time and again, with advice and products they can rely on.

Know who to trust.

It’s important to us that you receive the highest quality service wherever you choose to purchase your Sun system. After all, it’s our logo on the front and our reputation that’s ultimately at stake. That’s why we have rigorously certified a network of exceptional resellers, distributors and system integrators as our partners. They have access to our expertise and training, and are expressly licensed to sell our products.

By combining Sun solutions with their specialist market knowledge, technical skills and customer service, authorised partners develop their own reputations for excellence. Customers like you can rely on them to sell the latest solutions from Sun, with the backing of full warranty and service support, legitimate software licenses, and a dedication to meeting your needs.

Sun partners are the cream of the crop – but there are also plenty of unlicensed, unaccredited companies out there, reselling technology on what’s known as the grey market. They attract unsuspecting purchasers by claiming a big saving over list price – but what do you get for your money? A significant chance of major problems, that’s what.

The stakes are too high.

Grey market resellers may ship systems loaded with potentially unlawful, unlicensed software, which won’t stand up to audits; normally only Sun or its authorised resellers can transfer Solaris licenses. They may deliver hardware without a Sun warranty and ineligible for authorised Sun support services, leaving you unsupported. And their servers, storage and workstations may contain counterfeit components, which may fail to comply with the latest regulations or system configuration specifications. Some of these companies even sell stolen goods.

All of this creates business risk for you, from hardware failure, poor product performance – and perhaps even investigation by law enforcement agencies. When your server fails and your vendor leaves you unsupported, that bargain purchase price doesn’t look such good value.

Getting on the right track.

Through our authorised partner list and certification scheme, Sun is taking action against unlicensed grey marketers. It’s easier than ever to find the right partner for you. But at the same time, you need to be aware of the risks and be careful when you make your purchase that you use an authorised Sun partner. The lesson is simple: if it looks grey – stay away.