Re: Interactive vs. Batch

> I think you need to look at this from a marketing perspective. IBM has a 
>large installed base of AS/400s running traditional green-screen applications. 
>This group of customers is used to paying premium prices for the AS/400 
>platform.
> 
> On the other hand, IBM needs the e(logo)server i-Series to compete against 
>other servers, such as Windows NT/2000 on Intel hardware and many hardware 
>platforms running UNIX/Linux. These folks do not pay premium prices for 
>anything.


i'm sure you have a point, and it's disgusting.  

what ibm does not seem to realize is that most all shops these days have
the p/c expert amoung them.  and they are not fans of the as/400 or ibm
for that matter. 

so applications are slowly being bled off the as/400 onto microsoft (or
other) platforms.  and any occasion to bash the as/400 and ibm is done
with relish.

ibm need to realize that the old shops of total ibm loyalty are gone. 
the old traditional applications do have their place.  forcing people to
pay outrageous prices for interactive sessions is not a way to inspire
customer loyalty!  

the way to get revenue from the as/400 is to provide the best equipment,
at the best price, with the best tools, and the best education.  and
then promote it!  

did anyone see the lastest i/series ad?  i saw it about a week ago on
ibm's web page.  it had an as/400 with a guy on a piece of playground
equipment.  y'know, the thing you spin on until you get so dizzy you
can't walk.

compare that to the current microsoft ads, showing servers that don't
require attending, that will interface with anything.  we all know that
these are bold face lies, but that's what people want these days, so
that's what microsoft is pitching.  

but to be fair, ibm does have an ad that i like.  the brainstorming
session where everyone is tossing out their ideas, and a lady mentions
that they now have 8 or so platforms.  and the boss says 'is that a good
thing or a bad thing'.  

nj
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