Dear vBulletin Forum Community - vBSEO is Suspending Operations

Agreed -- Just release it open source, and let the users that paid for its continued development, and kept it viable for so many years still be able to utilize it and maybe just maybe a team can further develop it, using a public license. The fight to grab the name/company back doesn't seem worth it. That should have been done when it was at it's peak.

 

While it may be true that a lof of people are jumping ship, there are still a lot of us who are somehow stuck with VB and vBSEO so there definitely is still a significant market. For an average community, it is easy to jump ship. But for big ones, it isn't that easy. I agree that if indeed vBSEO is saved, it should make it a priority to provide for the easy transition from vB to other alternatives.

 

An open letter to Juan Muriente vBSEO CEO

 

Agree, the decline has been ongoing for a long time.

There are still forums with vBSEO installed. We have to consider them. We have to figure out what's next.

It may be too late to save the company. We can at least manage its close out fairly and transparently.

There are other teams that would be a good fit, and the community may be happy to see it under new management.

Thank you. That is my #1 goal. Transparency and letting you all know what's up.

 

Great, I hope that vBSEO gave you great results over the years!

I know. It's awful. That is why the current CEO must step down and allow us to make every attempt to find a solution or close vBSEO fairly and in consideration of our customers.

I have been in the forum world for a long time. I know to expect lots of great debate and lots of opposing views.

I'm in this for a solution. I know that what has been happening isn't right or fair to anyone.

 

Hi Kevin, I thank you for your trust.

I don't like that this is necessary, but at this point, I feel that I have no other choice but to bring it to the community for support and disclosure.

 

I'm aware that older versions of vB will go to end of life, and vBSEO with it if we depend only on those installations for our existence.

My point is not to deny that declining vBulletin sales reduces vBSEO's potential customer base.

Instead, my point is that we already have customers with vBSEO installed, and that we are still accepting money for a product that is not in development and has no support reps, and no communication.

That is what is unacceptable. I am exploring all options. I don't know what is possible until I know the behind the scenes condition of the company.

The absolute minimum we can do is communication openly with our customers as we close operations.

Thank you for your support and your recommendations on new possibilities for the company. I'm taking notes of all suggestions.

 

Thank you. It the early years, we knew that support was as important as the product itself. We were fully committed and had a full team on it.

Agree. Our business plan always included branching out. Windows of opportunity close quickly if you don't act.

Oh... you do understand!

Thank you for your support. Transparency, always.

 

That seems like a lower probability option now, but I want to explore all options.

 

I am interested in specifically what you might do if you were to gain control of the company... What is your plan? Im not interested in what you "will look at" -- but more interested in what you will do.

 

It looks like it's happened, but it's my goal now to let you know the true state including the behind the scenes status.

If we are closing, this is my personal commitment. Graceful failure, fair and transparent.

Definitely an option.

You're right. The company is an investment. The final decision will take into consideration the value as a personal investment of our lives. Unfortunately, much of the value of the company from its peak has been squandered.

There are people out there than can run it like a business, generate revenue, and still provide support and upgrades to the community, or transition the product into new areas of focus.

Everything is on the table to be explored.

 

Wait are you still the owner or are you owner now?

O.T: Sad to see it go down hill i have been checking out this service for a few years really i just liked looking at it grow now its just dying..

 

Yes, we always recognized this risk as a piggybacking company. Our plans always included branching out.

This isn't necessarily about starting over. Rather, I want to make sure we finish what we started and be fair to the customers we already have.

 

All reasonable suggestions and questions.

 

Thank you for your support. I'll follow up with you soon.

 

<3

 

Absolutely unacceptable. This is precisely why I'm here. My #1 goal is to make sure this is no longer hidden.

 

That's for sure.[/quote]

It does. I wish it had taken less time to reveal the truth. I haven't been dealing with a very cooperative party.

 

NuSEO! Wow.

 

I have always owned the company. That status doesn't change just because I was prevented from being involved, and not responsible for its operations. I own 50% of the stock, and interest in all intellectual property, assets, and goodwill.

Thank you for your good wishes. I've tried this so many times to no avail.