Re: [Interlug] Re: iSeries marketing request at Common Lug Luncheon (fwd) -- MIDRANGE-L

need to be in the WSJ.

----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Ericson <Glenn-Ericson@att.net>
To: <interlug@midrange.com>; <interlug@midrange.com>;
<MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 5:10 PM
Subject: RE: [Interlug] Re: iSeries marketing request at Common Lug Luncheon
(fwd)


> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
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>
>
> Gerald Kern wrote:
> >Yeah - what he (EMG) said...
> >
> >Once again IBM'rs, I repeat, unless the marketing is visible, nothing will
> >change. We need to see iSeries ads every Monday morning in the WSJ, and
> >every week in Computerworld. It's that simple. We don't need to follow the
> >iSeries Nation website - we're already believers, and the public doesn't
> >even know that website exists so unless you lead them to become
inquisitive
> >you are again, as stated, preaching to the choir and ignoring your target
> >audience.
> >
> >Regards, Jerry Kern
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: interlug-admin@midrange.com [mailto:interlug-admin@midrange.com]On
> >Behalf Of EMG Associates
> >Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001 9:17 PM
> >To: interlug@midrange.com
> >Subject: Re: [Interlug] Re: iSeries marketing request at Common Lug
> >Luncheon (fwd)
> >
> >
> >     For some time, I have been following the discussion thread regarding
> >LUG's, Common, the iSeries and the iSeries Nation.  I feel the need to
jump
> >in from the sidelines.
> >
> >     I have been involved with IBM computers for more years than I can
count.
> >I used S/32, S/34, S/38 and AS/400's for years.  The product line changed,
> >my skill set changed along with the entire computer industry.  However, in
> >all that time I never doubted my ability to earn a living in the IBM
> >midrange arena.
> >
> >     That is not the current case.
> >
> >     At the present time, I help clients identify software solutions that
> >usually are replacing existing legacy systems.    Clients are migrating
from
> >their AS/400s.  Clients and potential clients won't even discuss the
> >iSeries.  We have all heard the stories about the perception that the
> >iSeries has.  Let me tell you,   It's true.  I can present 3 - 4 potential
> >application software solutions to a client.  In the last two years, I have
> >been able to get only 1client to consider the AS/400 platform. In that
case
> >it was an upgrade from JDE World to One World.  The preferred option has
> >generally been to identify an application that runs on Oracle, in either
an
> >NT or Sun environment.
> >
> >     The people I deal with are not the cutting edge, hot-shot
programmers.
> >I deal with non technical corporate management and business line
management.
> >These non-technical executives read the Wall Street Journal ads. They read
> >about scalability from the PC level to the large server.  It is Sun that
> >they are reading about, not IBM.
> >
> >     Is there anything out there that is going for us, that gives me hope?
> >NO
> >
> >     It surely is not the iSeries Nation.  In polite terms, it is
preaching
> >to the choir.
> >
> >     Do we have aggressive hard hitting IBM marketing of the operating
system
> >we all know and love?
> >     Do we have case studies, in major non-technical advertisements that
show
> >the iSeries strengths in comparison to other product lines?
> >     The answers are NO. Not now and probably never in the future.
> >
> >     I always fall back to a simple question.  Why?  If I saw a bureaucrat
> >marketing like IBM, I would ask if it was incompetence or stupidity that
was
> >being displayed.  I then would ponder which would be worse.
> >
> >     I have too much respect for IBM to think that either of these answers
> >fit.  Maybe the answer is that IBM is achieving the results it desires and
> >anticipates.  This conclusion may be hard for some of us to accept.
> >However, if you start from the premise that IBM is first and foremost a
> >profit making business this premise is easily accepted.  In the last
decade,
> >even with its ups and downs, IBM has survived and grown.
> >
> >     Need more be said.
> >
> >
> >Mark Grimley
> >Board Member WAM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 09:03:18 -0600
> > > From: Anne Lucas <alucas@us.ibm.com>
> > > Reply-To: interlug@midrange.com
> > > To: Gerald Kern <gkern@buckeye-express.com>, interlug@midrange.com
> > > Subject: [Interlug] Re: iSeries marketing request at Common Lug
Luncheon
> > >
> > > Jerry, thanks for your note..... the one thing I really love about this
> > > community is this great passion for the AS/400 and iSeries!  I
understand
> > > we're the only product line in the industry with this type of customer
> > > passion..... hmmmmm.    Keep an eye on our iSeries Nation site .. .it's
> > > changing daily!
> > >                http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries
> > >
> > > Here are some of the things we've done from May through September about
> > > iSeries marketing and advertising.... note that marketing is not just
> > > advertising.
> > >    radio ads jointly done with Websphere ran in Atlanta, Dallas and
> >Chicago
> > >    stepped up press beyond midrange community
> > >    participation in trade shows that we have not participated in
before,
> > >    i.e., Linuxworld
> > >    exec speakers at ISV conferences (JDE, SSA, Infinium, NEWS/400, The
400
> > >    Group)
> > >    electronic campaign designer tool provided to bus partners for their
> > >    campaigns
> > >    exchange your exchange ad - in placed this week  (you can download
the
> > >    ad from
> > >
> >http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/domino/inotes/access10.html
> > >    eServer "Heist" commercial - aired during US Open, World Series
> > >    local user groups exec speakers (NorthEast, Toronto, Nashville, Long
> > >    Island)
> > >    IT and WallStreet analyst briefings leading to great reports from
IDC,
> > >    Gartner, Robert Francsis
> > >    new case studies published  --- approx 8 new ones in August alone
> > >    have diseminated thousands of copies to "I can do it" to
non-customers,
> > >    large systems integrators and current customers
> > >    announcement education, lunch and learns, customer ebriefings by the
> > >    "bunches"
> > >
> > > See this url for iSeries press links:   iSeries Press home:
> > > http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/news/
> > >
> > > BTW,  two guys who are doing a wonderful job writing letters to those
who
> > > write for major magazines .... this is so effective coming from the
> > > customer directly to the non-iSeries magazines....  these guys write
and
> > > ask why they didn't mention iSeries and then proceed to explain what
they
> > > missed in the article.  The results are articles coming out in
> > > InformationWeek and ComputerWorld in the next month or two .....  The
> > > magazine writers don't listen to IBM, because we're not objective .....
> > > they will listen to you .... <grin>.... they don't realize you aren't
> > > objective, either!
> > >
> > > Regarding the commercial comment,  our research and customer input
tells
> >us
> > > that customers think IBM is stuffy.   These are image commercials ----
> > > Jerry, it is about changing IBM's image.    The image is;   thought
> > > leadership for all aspects of IT and ease of doing business with.
> > >
> > > I know this doesn't answer all the questions ... but hopefully it
helps.
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > ***********
> > > Have a great day!
> > > The difference between mediocrity and greatness is a vision.
> > >
> > > Anne C. Lucas,
> > > Project Executive, IBM eServer Mid-Market Servers Marketing
> > > 205/823-4831  T/L 537-9968,
> > > eFax:  603-687-8053,800/223-3907 Pager
> > >
> > > Admin Assist:   Alice Sebastiano Telephone:  (914) 642-4109, tie line
> > > 224-4109 Fax:  (914) 642-6976, tie line 224-6976
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >                     "Gerald Kern"
> > >                     <gkern@buckeye-ex       To:     Anne
> >Lucas/Birmingham/IBM@IBMUS
> > >                     press.com>              cc:
> > >                                             Subject:     iSeries
marketing
> >request at Common Lug Luncheon
> > >                     11/06/2001 07:44
> > >                     AM
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Anne,
> > >
> > > Attached you will find the amended text of the emails from the former
> > > president of NWOMUG (NorthWest Ohio Midrange Users Group) regarding the
> > > decision by her company to abandon the iSeries platform for Unix. You
had
> > > asked me to forward them to you along with her contact information.
This
> > > was
> > > as we were both leaving the luncheon.
> > >
> > > Also during the Lug Luncheon in Minneapolis, you were soliciting for
ideas
> > > on how IBM can better market the iSeries. Forgive me if comments in
this
> > > email this sound a bit blunt, or rambling, but rest assured I
understand
> > > you
> > > are only one person at IBM, and my comments are not directed towards
you
> > > but
> > > towards the people responsible for marketing (and the lack of it).
> > >
> > > First off, at each LUG Luncheon I've attended over the last three
years,
> > > you
> > > repeat the request for ideas of how to market this system. If IBM
doesn't
> > > believe in the system (evidenced by the lack of marketing) how can you
> > > expect your customers to believe in it? That is why customers abandon
the
> > > platform. If IBM won't "sell" it, why then would anyone want to buy it?
> > >
> > > I'd like to re-iterate the point I made at the luncheon, that in New
> > > Orleans
> > > last spring Buell Duncan said that we could expect to see a major
> >marketing
> > > campaign for iSeries. As I said at the luncheon, I saw one ad in
> > > Computerworld, and nothing else. In this light IBM's marketing efforts
> > > haven't changed at all and as I'm sure you've heard at Common in the
past,
> > > the slogan, "It's The Marketing". Hopefully you can start a
> >'squeaky-wheel'
> > > syndrome.
> > >
> > > Another point I'd like to submit regarding IBM's marketing strategy,
those
> > > 'blue bar' TV commercials to me are blatantly arrogant. To me they make
> > > your
> > > customers look like a bunch of idiots. It seems that the marketing
> >strategy
> > > is to show a group of corporate people gathered together who point
fingers
> > > and/or don't have a clue about what their needs are. And then IBM
tells
> >us
> > > "We Are So Ready for IBM". Why would we want IBM, if we don't know what
we
> > > want? Using that logic tells your customers to blindly follow IBM's
lead -
> > > why should I be that loyal when IBM isn't even loyal to iSeries? I feel
> > > this
> > > sounds like a vague description, but please, IBM needs to focus on
reality
> > > and not that 'vision thing'. I know IBM can solve problems, but you
need
> >to
> > > sell the steak and not the sizzle. Codernauts? Please - those are
cheesier
> > > than Velveeta..... I don't understand for the life of me how a company
> >with
> > > so much talent can use sitcom mentality when so much is at stake.
> > >
> > > Now the commercial I'd like to see, in 30 seconds, would be one where
the
> > > situation revolves around a system administrator going to the CFO (of a
> > > multinational Fortune 100) on Monday morning to explain that a hard
drive
> > > crashed on the server over the weekend. The CFO looks terrified and
asks
> > > how
> > > long it will take to get the system back up, and whether any data was
> >lost.
> > > The system administrator says "Relax, we're already up." The CFO says
"How
> > > can that be?" The system administrator replies "We use iSeries, and the
> > > drives were mirrored, and the system called and reported the problem to
> >IBM
> > > and they were here to replace the drive on Saturday. IBM replaced the
> >drive
> > > and we didn't even need to re-boot." Then during the fade, a voice
says,
> > > for
> > > more info on the only system that has never had a virus, has never been
> > > hacked, has the scalability of a supercomputer (starting at around
$10K),
> > > can do web serving, supports java, support Notes, Domino & Linux, runs
NT
> > > natively, supports real programming languages like SQL, Cobol, RPG, C
and
> > > has the best database bar none, along with the lowest Overall Total
Cost
> >of
> > > Ownership,AND a bunch of users more loyal than Apple users, that can be
> > > backed up with one command to one tape... call 1-800-IBM-SERV (or
whatever
> > > the number of the day is). Also, it wouldn't hurt to mention that 90+%?
of
> > > Fortune 500 companies use iSeries.
> > >
> > > Finally, on a personal note, last Christmas I was laid off as a
consultant
> > > for a local IBM business partner. It took me three months to find a
> > > position
> > > (for which I was overqualified and underpaid) on the iSeries platform.
> > > Fortunately, I've since found a better position, but am again hearing
> > > rumblings of the possibility that the platform will be dumped for, yes,
an
> > > non IBM platform. My company, has no real techies at the top, (I work
for
> >a
> > > medical facility), and all the decision makers hear is what they hear
on
> > > the
> > > golf course (and they discuss what the ad's say during the Sunday
morning
> > > news and weekend sports shows - especially the golf tournaments - they
all
> > > watch golf - hint - hint - this is where the above commercial should be
> > > aired, not just once but ad nauseum). They don't know what an iSeries
is
> > > and
> > > only know that the AS/400 is old technology - why? Because it's not
> > > marketed - and without marketing there is no visibility. After all, if
it
> > > was new technology, IBM would surely market it. (That's what those who
> > > don't
> > > know anything about iSeries or computers in general tend to think.)
> > >
> > > If IBM won't start marketing specific platforms to the public in
general
> >to
> > > get the word out that the iSeries does web serving, does support java,
> >does
> > > support NT, does GUI and Visual Basic, and can be backed up with one
> > > command
> > > to one tape, there will be no future for iSeries. It's really that
simple,
> > > advertising sells, and if you don't believe that just look at what it's
> > > done
> > > for Microsoft. Their (MS) products are junk compared to iSeries. But if
> >IBM
> > > can't see that, it proves my point. If IBM won't even sell its best
> >product
> > > then you need to stop asking the user group for ideas on how to market
the
> > > product. You can tell your boss I said so.
> > >
> > > Regards, Jerry Kern
> > > IBM Certified AS/400 RPG Developer,
> > > 15+ year veteran of the industry,
> > > Past President & Current Director of NWOMUG.
> > >
> > > gkern@buckeye-express.com
> > >
> > > (See attached file: Nwomug Email.txt)
> > >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
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>
>
>
> Glenn Ericson
> Ph. (718)898-9805
> <mailto:Glenn-Ericson@att.net>mailto:Glenn-Ericson@att.net
> --
>
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