Re: How does a person Obtain PTF's

I order cum's thru ECS all the time for V4R4,
the latest cum ptf is SF99440 (C1072440)
hipers is SF99095
jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Kuznitz" <docfxit@theoffice.la>
To: <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 3:31 AM
Subject: How does a person Obtain PTF's


> { SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1}I seem to be experiencing problems obtaining a CUM
and other single PTF's.
> If anyone knows the current policy I would be most grateful if you could
share
> your ideas.  My client has an AS/400 150 running V4R4 with no Monthly
> Support Line Contract.  My understanding of the options to obtain PTF's
are:
>
>   If  the site has a Monthly Support Line Contract a person can call in
any and all
>     PTF requirements.
>
>
>   IBM will not sell a Monthly Support Line Contract to anyone with a model
>     150.
>
>
>   If  the site has a Hardware Contract a person can order PTF's through
ECS if
>     the PTF's are less than the maximum size allowed to download.  A
person
>     can't order a CUM through ECS.
>
>
>   Thiscompany does have a Hardware Contract.  If it wasn't a CUM and
>     Hypers this might be an option if the PTF's are small enough.
>
>
>   If  the site has a PC connected to the internet and a LAN with a second
PC
>     connected to a LAN and the AS/400 and they have a Monthly Support Line
>     Contract they can download PTF's off the internet if they are under
the
>     maximum size allowed to download through this service.
>
>
>   Thiscompany has a PC connected to a DSL line and it is also connected
(with
>     a second Ethernet card in the same machine) to a LAN.  The AS/400 is
also
>     on the same LAN and can communicate to the internet through the PC.
My
>     understanding is this is not an acceptable connection for IBM's
software
>     constraints.  This company also does not have a Monthly Support Line
>     Contract.
>
>   It  says at:
> http://www.as400service.ibm.com/supporthome.nsf/document/10000069
>     that the service is free and all you have to do is register.  When
>     you try to register they require a Monthly Support Line
>     Contract.
>
> If  the site is running an OS/400 version that is an "Eligible Release" a
person
>     can order a PTF through the FAX.  
>
>
>   WhenI tried FAX'ing in an order on 7/9/01 like I have always done in the
>     past,  they had no response.  I FAX'ed in the order the second time on
>     7/21/01 and 3 days later they replied with a fax saying:
>
> EFFECTIVE MAY 31ST 2001, VERSION 440 IS NO LONGER
> SUPPORTED FOR DEFECT RELATED QUESTIONS. NON-DEFECT
> QUESTIONS WILL BE WORKED WITH A SUPPORT LINE
> CONTRACT.
>
> PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL SALES CENTER AT 888-426-
> 4343, OPTION 3. OUR ENTITLEMENT SPECIALISTS CAN EXPLAIN
> A VARIETY OF FEE-BASED SERVICES WE OFFER. YOU MAY
> ALSO VISIT THE AS/400 WEBSITE AT WWW.AS400SERVICE.
> IBM.COM FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, THE LATEST
> SOFTWARE UPDATES AND PTFS.
> 
>
> I   called the phone number.  I was told I need to talk to my salesman
about my
>     options.  I called my IBM salesman and I had to teach him what a PTF
was.  I
>     talked to a manager at the above phone number and she said all I need
to do
>     is put on the fax that I am upgrading and I will get the faxes.  I did
that and 3
>     days later I received the same fax again.
>
>   I   don't have a defect related question.  I don't have a non-defect
question
>     either.  When I follow the instructions and go to
>     WWW.AS400SERVICE.IBM.COM my only option available to me is to fax
>     in a request.
>
>
>   On  this page:
> http://www.as400service.ibm.com/supporthome.nsf/document/10000069
> It says "For information regarding eligible Releases, see: OS/400 Release
> Support"
> at:
> http://www.as400service.ibm.com/supporthome.nsf/document/17623433
>     It doesn't say what is eligible for obtaining PTF's.  It does
>     have a table with the "Indicated date the target release is being
>     or was withdrawn from marketing" And it does say V4R4 was
>     withdrawn from marketing 5/31/01.  It also says "IBM is
>     making extended defect support available for V4R4 OS/400
>     and selected products through November 30, 2001 via special
>     bid."  It also says in order to get the extended defect support
>     you must  "Purchase a Support Line contract".
>
>
>   Of  course you know if you have a 150 IBM won't let you Purchase a
Support
>     Line contract.
> And of course this company is not looking for "Defect Support".  They are
>     only looking for PTF's.
>
>
>   If  you need over 20 PTF's and you have multiple AS/400's you can email
>     your order in.
>
> Sincethis company has only one AS/400 they won't accept an order for
>     PTF's via email.
>
>
>   If  you upgrade to the latest release of OS/400 and you have a 150 IBM
>     allows you to obtain PTF's via FAX.
>
> Thiscompany can't justify upgrading to V5R1 money wise.  And I've heard
>     V5R1 is buggy.  V4R4 is very stable for them.
>
> Once-Upon-A-Time a person could order as many PTF's as they wanted
> through ECS and it would show up in one or two days.  Now even if you have
> an eligible release and FAX in your order it could take from one to many
> weeks to get it.  So what's a person to do?
>
> Gary Kuznitz
>
> PS: Sorry for the long post.
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