It sure varies. I was engineer (titles: SE, Systems Engineer, later Technical Account Manager) with a great sales rep at Sun. She set up all the appointments, p

It sure varies. I was engineer (titles: SE, Systems Engineer, later Technical Account Manager) with a great sales rep at Sun. She set up all the appointments, prepped me on customer needs, the works. Downside was when she went on a diet and believe me, Jamba Juice doesn't cut it. She left for Interwoven. In the meantime, I handled most of two jobs, with sales reps flying up from L.A. to help. We worked one major proposal for a college library that was pretty cool but never flew. Had some great customer meetings. The customer knew a great sushi place nearby. (No, it wasn't all about food. I wrote some great proposals.) Got a rookie sales person who knew jack (lower case j) and came to customer meetings unprepared. Majorly pissed off a major customer by suggesting that they rip out all their servers and replace them. It was hell. I joined a startup with another Sun person who was so sales oriented that he promised the world on a platter. Guess who had to deliver? Well, it all fell apart. I was so confused as scope increased and the crew was reduced in order of competence. Competent first. I forgot simple things (rsync is a gift from the Gods) in the madness. I sure missed the salad days (even if the salad was Jamba Juice).