Re: ALF's

[DaleGindlesperger@xxxxxxxxxxx]

ALF's can add up to some serious money, depending on how many modules you
have and use - no question.  We also got pounded everytime we did an
upgrade (which happens every 2-3 years or so at our company).  However, my
affiliate saw what was happening, and had us go to user-based pricing
rather than tier-based.  We paid a one-time hit (comparable to a standard
upgrade) during an upgrade, and have paid MAPICS no additional upgrade
charges since (when I boost hardware performance).

I recommend looking into doing that to spare yourself from future shocks.

This thread has had many, many discussions on ALFs.  It is a major source
of income for MAPICS, Inc.  I personally think I get sufficient value from
my ALFs in excellent support (e:Info and phone support) and additional
capabilities (Offline Shipping and many other enhancements that come with
no ILF charge - except for some internal costs to implement).  However,
I've also read on this thread many opposing views.  I suppose it makes a
difference if you can take advantage of some of the new enhancements or
not.

But I've never been hit for an ILF after the first acquisition of the
module(s).  Unless something changed in the last couple years?  We got ERP
Essentials about 1 1/2 years ago, and it wasn't very expensive since we
already owned most of the modules (we got some serious credit over that).

Konrad, can you clarify this ILF issue?  You seem very plugged in to this
sort of information.

Dale Gindlesperger
IT Manager/Special Projects Leader
Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Inc.
258 Beacon Street
Somerset, PA  15501




                                                                                
                            
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                                                Subject:  ALF's                 
                            
                                                                                
                            
                      01/21/2004 07:25                                          
                            
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I'm sure that I have seen this posted on this list several times, but here
it goes...


We have been using MAPICS for Approx. four years now, and it has just been
brought to my attention that we are paying several thousand dollars more
for our ALF's every year.

I requested an explanation from MAPICS on this, and after about a month,
they came back with a explanation that it "automatically" increases by 10%
Annually.  I then poured over our original contracts, and found no
reference to this "Feature".

We are also looking to Upgrade our AS/400 from a lowly 170e to an 800
series box-Model 2464 w/ 2.5 GB Memory,160 GB usable disk with RAID, (maybe
then Browser will be somewhat usable) and as such have looked into changing
from processor based licensing to user based.  I was told by our affiliate
that, in our case, the cost would be +- $30,000.00 to purchased the
"Essentials Package, and on top of that we would have to also still pay the
ILF for the first year.

I don't know about all of you, but this seem mighty strange to me.  When we
initially purchased MAPICS, we paid for the software, which included the
first year of Support and upgrades, (Kinda like the rest of the world does
it!!!) but now we are faced with $30,000.00 for the software, and $30,000
for the ILF???

Somehow, this just does not seem to be on the up and up,  any feedback
would be fantastic, as I just want to know what others in our shoes have
had to do...

Also, what are the experiences out there with Browser and other MAPICS
interfaces on this type of box with 100% 100mb full duplex Switched
Segments to desktops, Desktops being P4's of at least 2.4ghz, 1024mb ram,
Xp pro?  With our 170e, we typically can go get a cup of coffee and come
back to an hourglass when we open a "query" in Browser, any "query"...

I'd hate to get what I'm asking for and not have it solve our situation,
not good for job security, if you know what I mean.

(If my affiate is out there, this is in no way directed towards you, just
trying to understand the "New Math in Atlanta")


Lloyd H. Degnon
I.S. Manager
AmPro Computers, Inc.
5215 Hellyer Ave.
Building #110
San Jose, CA 95138
(408) 360-4365
ldegnon@xxxxxxxxx
www.AmPro.com


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