RE: First time buying System i5

I had lunch with my IBM rep the other day.  Her title is iSeries Sales
Specialist.  She works with me and our BP and from my perspective she's
been very helpful.  Example: When I mentioned not getting the training
vouchers from our last upgrade she made sure we got them and extended
their expiration so I could get the class I wanted where I wanted it.

Our BP is fine.  I'd like a bigger discount, of course, but they do
things for us that go somewhat above & beyond the minimum.  They've
flown me to Rochester twice for briefings, for instance, and they handle
the passport renewals for us.  Basically we use them for everything that
goes to IBM that involves money changing hands.

We tend to spend six figure amounts nearly every year, though, so I do
expect a certain amount of attention.

John A. Jones, CISSP
Americas Information Security Officer
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
V: +1-630-455-2787 F: +1-312-601-1782
john.jones@xxxxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Greg Wenzloff
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 7:24 AM
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: First time buying System i5 


There is a theme in this thread that it is HARD to buy an i5.

When I bought our AS400 model 720 years ago it has a very bad experience
and I dread the time (in about a year) when we will be ordering a new
model (probably called something other than i5 again).

IBM's position is to use a business partner.  The BP has to work with
one of those big 3 or 4 clearing houses.  Rarely does anyone have a
complete picture of what to order.

Anyone remember when the IBM rep would visit you and help your company
stay current.  There hasn't been an IBM SA guy visit us in many many
years.  Do they still exist anywhere?

BPs come in all flavors, unfortunately some don't seem to be very good
at knowing what to order.   IBM has to do more to make it easier to buy
their products.

Don't get me started on IBM leasing.  They were so BAD that we went and
got a loan from a bank and then paid cash for the machine.

Just my opinion,
Greg