Re: IBM Spin Doctors on AS/400 Marketing

>>
>>  1.) General advertising - remember all kinds of institutions are
>>  potential AS/400 customers and not all read professional
>>  publications.  If brand recognition was similar to MS or Intel
>>  it would help (some).  IBM has not done this (other than the
>>  Pure Guavo commercial).
>>
>This is part of what I've been looking for from IBM, although I must admit
>going into hysterics over the unsolicited vision of John Sears dancing
around
>in a purple radiation suit ;-D.
Well, Dean I have to say from me and probably the rest of us you have
found the way to change our emotional response to the Intel commercials!
We will never look at them the same way.

Sounds like a great idea for the opening session in New Orleans.

>>
>>  2.) Executive advertising
<snip>
>
>That's what _I_ want, although I'd disagree that it's currently being done
>"fairly well".

Really should have said it's being attempted.

>>
>>  3.) Professional advertising
>>

<snip>

>Agreed, and I think that this is the point Chris was trying to make on the
>subject.  I like the idea presented wherein IBM offered cash discounts to
>solution providers to run ads in their specific niches.  Unfortunately, I
>don't think that IBM is mining its database to find those "universally
>excepted solution providers" that could run an effective advertisement in
>"Widget Week Illustrated".  And, even if IBM did, would they be shorting
the
>"newcomer" with the better solution and a smaller installed base?

It has it's risks.  By helping a certain number of BP's and not some others
is a risky proposition.  IBM has never been aggressive at recommending
third party solutions.  I think that is not only because of the not
invented
here syndrome but we have to realize the global affects of IBM 'supporting'
a company and it's product.  It's almost damned if you do and damed if
you don't.
>>
>>  4.) Articles.
>>
<snip>

>Well, hasn't _THAT_ been our point about NT all along?

Yes, just beating a dead horse (my hobby).
>>
>>  5.) Industry analysis.
<snip>

>This reminds me of a question on the list a
>while back about "what MHz" the AS/400 processor runs at -- it's
>_IRRELEVANT_.  Like Wayne Madden said at our LUG last night, all
processors
>wait at the same speed -- and most of them spend their time waiting.
You are so right.  When I get asked I almost wish I could lie and say
10,000 MHz just to help kill the issue.  It is absolutely amazing how
people
latch on to the MHz rating.  Dr. Soltis' 2ed. Inside the AS/400 has a lot
of good information about IO subsystems and related system
performance.  With the e models this is where a lot of the performance
gains came from.


>>
>>  9.) Use the WEB.
>>

>Despite still keeping the bulk of their information to BP's available on
the
>mainframe (can you say "More", "Running", "CP Read", "VM Read"?), I think
>that IBM is doing a darn good job in this area -- especially for an
>organization of their size.

You're right.  I forgot to add my own evaluation which concurs with yours.
I find
their sight to be swimming with great information.  I can't imagine what it
was like
a few years ago trying to find stuff.....







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