All,
I found this article yesterday. I had every intention of making this a poll, but apparently I don't have the ability to do so.
https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/06/05/solarwinds-another-ipo-thoma-bravo-silver-lake.html
I've been part of the SolarWinds bandwagon for some time and I've watched as it evolved from private to public and back to private. I have to say, the years it was a publicly traded company were numb, boring, and painful for many of us. I watched as the product declined in value due to stale upgrades and additions. I watched as the support model failed to support. I took part in the painful sales strategy that was forced on us to meet investor numbers. I've also watched a support model flourish when you could control your own money. In the last few years, the innovated gains you've made to catch-up have reinvigorated many of us and stopped customers from leaving. Even the sales calls have dramatically reduced. (this is obviously just my opinion and perspective based on what I witnessed)
I understand the business side and the advantages (financially) of being a public organization, but I've also seen how meeting investor expectations can stiffen a highly innovative company from meeting it's true potential. And most of us have seen how priorities shift when you have to meet expectations versus cater to the customer. By continuing to cater to the customer, your numbers will happen without forcing them.
This post, either positive or negative, is to simple show SolarWinds that it's customer base will be supportive or not. Please keep your comments constructive, but let your voice be heard.
D
