RE: Fast400 Value to iSeries community is less than zero

> Mark:
>The 5250 interactive data stream has been around for decades.  It is
>stable and is not being improved upon (at least significantly.)  There >is
relatively little cost for IBM to support it.

The purpose of Interactive Feature is not to place a premium on just 5250,
or interactive CPW -- it's a throttle for the entire OS or operating
environment as we know it.  Think of everything you lose when you lose the
terminal-based environment.  That's what IBM is charging you for with
interactive feature pricing.

If you run an iSeries with zero interactive feature you have a server that
is (very roughly) similar to an NT server.  If you need user interactivity,
a development environment, etc., you have to bring your own.

If IBM were to drop Interactive Feature from the iSeries line completely
think of how much of the OS, environment, and layered products could go
away.  That's what Interactive customers are really paying to support.

If I knew for a fact that Interactive Feature was footing the bill for
iSeries' pure server customers I'd say it's hopeless.  I'd like to think
theres an honest, fair way to license and price the servers, OS and layered
products so that IBM makes a profit off every server configuration and costs
are distributed more accurately.

-Jim

James P. Damato
Manager - Technical Administration
Dollar General Corporation
jdamato@dollargeneral.com