RE: Tipton and Frank

Don't know about Dr. Frank wanting to quit, didn't see Bob Tipton's speech
(but read the transcript.)  I did see Dr. Frank's "Future of the AS/400"
presentation.

*****  The following is my own opinion and could easily be construed as the
product *******
***** of a diseased mind.
*******


I thought Dr. Frank's presentation was an interesting counterpoint to
Tipton's speech.  It seemed to me that the theme of his speech was that it's
impossible to predict the future of the AS/400 because IBM has viewed
midrange computers as changelings from the beginning of time.  He gave a
very entertaining recap of IBM's approach to midrange marketing from the
dawn of the System 3.  The not so pleasant part is that he more than implied
that IBM has wanted to get rid of its midrange products forever and hasn't
quite been able to do it because they sold well.

I think what we were supposed to infer was that as soon as AS/400 revenue
dropped below a critical point, no more AS/400 and that IBM was unlikely to
try to do anything to guard against that possibility.   

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom.Clements@helpsystems.com 
> [mailto:Tom.Clements@helpsystems.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 6:49 AM
> To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Subject: Tipton and Frank
> 
> 
> <snip>
>      I kind of wonder if his mentioning of Frank should be 
> redirected to
>      someone who's more responsible for the marketing effort 
> (such that it
>      is)
>      of the product line.  Surely we all know of Frank's 
> successes are area
>      of
>      expertise, but at last check, "marketing" is someone else's
>      responsibility.  Should some of the comments for accounting be
>      directed
>      perhaps at a more culpable party?
> <endSnip>
> 
> As I recall Tipton's speech, he mentioned Frank only to say 
> that Frank had
> tried to quit (Bob's allegation. Frank later made a vague 
> denial in another
> session - I don't know the facts), the implication being that the main
> AS/400 visionary was so fed up with IBM's (mis)handling of 
> the 400 that he
> wanted out. At least that was my interpretation.
> I didn't get the feeling he blamed Frank for the marketing gaffes.
> His main point seemed to be that the 400 needs a maniacal visionary.
> I don't know a whole lot about IBM's structure, but I don't 
> understand why
> they would capriciously ignore a product with the obvious (to 
> us at least!)
> strengths and popularity of the 400. Let the 400 find it's 
> niche(s) and
> give it the resources to make money for the company. Duh!
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Clements
> Help/Systems Inc.
> 612-563-2780
> 
> 
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