B&O's apparent business model for the Beo5 is to provide the software tools and training to their dealers to configure the Beo5 to the customers exact requirements which is intended to create a very happy customer as well as a means of further revenue generation for the dealers. As a basic business model for this product there is nothing wrong with their aim in my view, however it assumes that the following are fully in place:-

• A fully working Beo5 Configuration Tool for use by technical & non technical dealers to use.
• Training not only how to use the tool, but what to consider when marketing the dealers services and how to demonstrate the product to the customers other than physically show them the product.
• Supporting documentation for the customer to consider prior to configuration, defining what can and cannot be configured and allowing the customer time to consider their requirements prior to the actual configuration process. i.e. what TV & Radio station they want logos for, any requirements related to lighting and Beoliving products etc. The dealer should already know the customers product configuration, but is unlikely to know their preferred channel selection order for example.
• Dealers clearly defining in writing their configuration charges and terms related to how often the configuration can be changed without further charge.

After the short time since the Beo5's introduction there has been mixed customer reaction and based on the small Beoworld poll a lot of customers have been frustrated, not with the physical product, they love it, but with the configuration process and their inedibility to have a remote that is configured to their requirements.

When it comes to charges there is a very mixed picture with no clear strategy. The most common pricing structure appears to be a product price which includes the first configuration and subsequent update configuration changes which are charged extra. However the grey area is where does the first configuration end. After the customer receives their configured Beo5 it may be days or even weeks before he/she comes back to point out some changes that are needed. This is where clearly define terms need to be published by the dealer.

Having said that, I have noted several dealers who have taken a much more positive approach to this configuration pricing situation by not charging at all for providing Beo5 configuration and subsequent updates, but seeing it as an opportunity to keep in touch with their customers who may purchase future B&O products. This would be the approach I would use if I were a B&O dealer, they may get a few hundred Pounds/Euros/Dollars from doing a couple of configuration changes now or giving themselves a future opportunity for bigger sales in the future.

Clearly many dealers have provided their customers in many countries with the configuration tool which appears to be for one of the following reasons:-

1. Some customers are just to demanding for some dealers to ever fullfil their requirements, so they provide the software as a way of keeping the customer happy.
2. The dealer does not have the knowledge or understanding of how to configure the Beo5 to the level needed.
3. The dealer never wants to say NO to a customer request.

The biggest flaw in the B&O strategy is their failure to provide on release date a comprehensive set of pre-define templates. For example in the UK most B&O customers either have "Freeview" or "Sky" so it would be reasonable to expect templates for both product areas, but there are current none.

In my view the biggest and quickest improvement which could be made by B&O is to provide the dealers with a comprehensive set of templates by country regularly updated which takes into account the most common configuration requirements of that country

To start the process rolling, I am pleased to provide UK Dealers with the following configurations in a downloadable ZIP file as follows:-

• UK Analogue TV Stations
• UK Freeview TV Channels (English Region)
• UK Freeview TV Channels (Scottish Region)
• UK Freeview TV Channels (Welsh Region)

If the Configuration Tool is running, stop it and then download the UK Freeview and Analogue TV Channels.zip HERE and extract the files to C:\ which will automatically put all the files in the correct directories in the Beo5 Configuration Tool. When you go into the Beo5 Configuration Tool, click the "Choose Product" tab at the top and on the right click the pulldown, then click logos and the above will be seen as well as the previous three templates marked 9, 18 & 27 logos

Just drag-n-drop the template you want and a window will open showing all the channels with the associated logos all sized correctly at 100 x 44 and if the customer needs any channels in a different order, just change the numbers and click OK and its done.

Below is what you should see in the logos pulldown after you have extracted the zip file and started the Beo5 Configuration Tool again:-

Hear hear..

Not just adding words, but taking actions... That's how we move our sphere of influence..

The Dane

After more dealer visits, and still not quite getting the setup I want (I've got major problems switching between sources) I've come to the conclusion that Beo5 is actually quite a poor product. It could be very good, but at the moment it just doesn't work. There is NO WAY I could ever consider getting rid of / or not using the Beo4 in conjunction with a Beo5.

Ian 

Stick with it Ian. I only got mine yesterday and it is taking getting used to but its a wonderful product in true B&O style trust me. I am really beginning to realise the potential of this device. Its great in the dark too!

Simon.

Dear Simon:

Before, you realized that we have a very similar set up.  How are you going to integrate the Beo5?  I am considering getting it.  At the moment, I manually turn the BS 9000 in the upstairs room and keep the remote where the BV 7 is located.  

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Dario