Who Controls Managed Services Pricing?

This article got to me, mainly because I don't like to see companies bullied around. Now, when a company like Dell does something as inconspicuous as publish its managed services pricing I have to wonder why. To be honest, I know why they did it. My real question is why are so many people playing into their hands? Let's take a closer and more honest look at the situation.

Dell is a relative newcomer to the managed services world. They bought themselves a few technology tools and presto, they are calling themselves a MSP. Fine, let's assume this is true. Just because Dell (or any MSP for that matter) decides to publish their pricing should not make an ounce of difference to any other MSP. In this specific regard, Dell is absolutely right. Don't worry about Dell making a downward plunge in pricing. It shouldn't matter at all to any other MSP how another MSP prices their services.

Now, what should matter to every MSP is whether Dell insists on selling its managed services direct to the end-user. If Dell, or any other company for that matter, insists on a direct end-user play and wants the MSPs to be a faithful channel for their other products, well, that's just pushing things a little too far.