Re: Suftware Subscription strikes again.

["William A.(Tony) Corbett" <corbett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hardware Maintenance thru IBM?
I'd look elsewhere for a maintenance contract.
Depending on where you are, I may be able to give you a lead.  I maintain an 
IBM supportline contract,
just so I can call for help, but go elsewhere for hardware maintenance.  For 
many clients, I've
recommended an hourly supportline contract, the rate's a little higher, but 
depending on how many hours
a year you spend on the phone with IBM supportline, this may be a much better 
alternative.  Very rarely
will (most) IBM shops place a call outside of normal business hours, anyway, so 
24x7 support is not
really a need, just a (gold-lined) security blanket for management.

I do believe that IBM support is the best in the business, but do you really 
need the "best in the
business"?  The hardware support I am currently using is almost as good, and a 
lot cheaper.  The real
problem is all the new boxes...many support organizations just can't keep up 
with all the changes.

Are you going through IBM directly or through an IBM business partner?  Many 
times, the business
partners get special pricing and can pass some of it along to you.  Surprised 
me, but I was able to get
my 170 cheaper through a business partner than through IBM directly.

--
William A.(Tony) Corbett
corbett@asresources.com
http://www.asresources.com   AS/400 Consulting Services
http://www.cbt400.com          Computer-based training


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