Re: Explaing the difference in PC vs AS/400 disk... $$$$$$

Chuck,

In a message dated 97-08-21 19:03:35 EDT, you write:

> I'm looking for a way to provide a non-technical person (at a VERY high
>  level in the company) a "bullet" list (i.e. not a bunch of technical
>  detail, etc.) as to why PC disks are so much cheaper than AS/400 disks.
>  
>  This is getting harder and harder to do especially when you watch 6606's
>  being replaced and they put a "regular" looking drive in the
>  enclosure... :-)

Chuck, this has been a problem from DAY 1 in computing.  I once had a (board
manufacturing) customer that needed more memory that asked me to explain why
16K memory modules were $5K apiece, when they would be HAPPY to manufacture
them for $100 apiece.  All I could say was that the company was re-couping
R&D costs.  What can you do?

With the advent of the PC, you actually have things a little easier.  Yeah,
the drives look alike, but they won't either one run on the disparate
systems.  The sad thing about the latter is that I suspect that they WOULD,
if the switch settings were right.  On my former platform, a 400Mb disk was
more than TWICE the price of the 100Mb version -- change the switch settings
on a 100, and you had a 400.  As IBM is a MAJOR manufacturer of disk drives
that don't go on anything but IBM equipment, I somehow doubt that you will be
able to integrate non-IBM equipment to an AS/400.

>  I've thought of some things but wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking
>  anything (which I am SURE that I am >BG>)...

I don't think so...
<<snip>>

Regards,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-Mail:  DAsmussen@AOL.COM

"A problem is a chance for you to do your best." -- Anonymous
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