Upgrading from V3R2 to V5Rx

["Shrader, Patrick" <pshrader@xxxxxxxx>]

The latest copy (Jan 2001) of Midrange Computing announces that the V4R3 is
no longer for sale, and that it is required for upgrading to the later
releases (V4R5 & V5R1). It is understandable that IBM wants everyone on the
latest hardware and software releases to reduce support costs.

While I would love to move from V3R2 to V4R3, there are limitations to
making this move. Since I am still on a CISC box, a direct upgrade is not an
option for me. Yes, I want to upgrade, but the existing box does what we
need it to do right now and we are investing in capital projects that
directly improves our bottom line (more than what the cost savings of a new
system will). There is no sense in having a great computer if your core
(non-IT) operations needs improvements and upgrades -- after all, computers
should be tools, not life.

However, when we do move up to the RISC boxes, what types of trouble will
this (and other similar) announcements from IBM do to me and others in the
same boat? The CISC to RISC is not a straight forward process, and now
without certain operating systems available, what does this do to my upgrade
path?

Are upgrades of this type better handled by starting from a clean box, and
restoring user libraries from the old system? We are a MAPICS shop, which
will require data migration and reinstallation.

Basically, how big a deal is this type of announcement -- long and
complicated, or just blowing smoke?

Patrick Shrader

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