Re: How does a person Obtain PTF's -- MIDRANGE-L

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply.  Do you have a Monthly Support Line Contract?

Thanks,

Gary Kuznitz

On 2 Aug 2001, at 17:47, Jim Franz wrote:
> 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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