New iSeries and XA License Keys

Hi List,

Just adding our frustration to prior threads on getting new iSeries and the
XA $$ charges resulting.  IBM has done such a great job at what they do that
we can't get a new machine as slow as our old one!  We are staying at a P10,
but having to pay for new license keys.  Here is our history:

1998 leased (5yr) S20 4-way processor P40 purchased many modules with *NOMAX
of MAPICS users
2003 (May) leased (3yr) 810 single processor P10  (no rebate for dropping
tiers or going to a single processor)
2006 (March) leased (3yr) 520 single processor P10   We are going to have to
pay for license keys to stay at the same tier (although like I said, IBM has
done such a great job that even staying at the same processor level you get
a faster machine).  We are being encouraged to change to (pay for) user
based licensing so we won't be charged for the next machine change.  Notice
we paid in the beginning for *NOMAX users

We were incredulous that by staying at the same tier we are now getting
charged for license keys.  (didn't get a rebate in 2003, but no charge,
either)   Course we can't install the new machine until we get them, so kind
of like being held over a barrel.  Wish there was a standard formula so a
customer knew where they stood.

Ann Neal