AS/400 Upgrade charges

[Barb Nash <Barb.Nash@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,
        I apologize if I am revisiting an old topic, but have searched
through the archives and did not find a definite answer.  In the near future
we are looking to put several non-MAPICS applications/files on our AS/400.
It is a 9402-400, 2131, in the P10 processor group, CPW 20.6, memory and
DASD maxed out (don’t laugh). Current response time during prime working
hours, running MAPICS only, is fair to poor.  I’m afraid that adding these
additional systems is going to bring it to its knees.  That being said, and
economic conditions being the way they are, we need to avoid the hefty
MAPICS upgrade charges if we want a new box (we are still on tiered
pricing).  Are these upgrade charges processor group based?  Is it possible
to stay in the P10 group, avoid the charges and get something with more
oomph? Or better yet, move to the P05 group and lower our incredibly high
ALF’s and still increase our CPW?   There are no plans to add or change any
our MAPICS applications.  Why should have to pay software charges to upgrade
our hardware?

Thanks in advance!

Barb Nash
PHB, Inc.
Fairview, PA
(814) 474-1552 ext. 225
Barb.nash@phbcorp.com