Data Propagator vs DDM?

[Jan Megannon <jmegannon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello to all here,

Some things mentioned here may see me flamed, only to crash and burn. Well so 
be it!!

I am fishing for comments and ideas regarding something I want to propose to a 
customer.

<background:>
Customer purchased a 720-1501, a batch processor that invokes the wrath of 
CFINT. The
customer claimed not to be able to afford the 1502 processor. More than a year 
down the
line, they have now implemented an application that provides web access to 
their 400 data.
Hey, is CFINT letting them have it or what! They are now being compelled to 
consider an
upgrade, or other alternatives. The customer will be on the iSeries for (a 
claimed) maximum
of another +-18 months. As such, they do not want to invest too much to keep 
the system
going. No, I did not sell them the system.
</background>

I have been approached to assist with this problem and have some ideas of a 
work-around.

1.    Install a secondary system (Model 170-2291) and move the web access to 
that system.
       That should move the workload off the primary system, resolving the 
performance issues
       over there.

2.    In order to retain all the functionality of the current implementation, I 
am considering
       that they either use Data Propagator (along with it's components 
required to let it
       function properly, like DRJA :-) ), or setting up DDM from source to 
target.

I know that DDM works on APPC / APPN. Will I still be nailed by CFINT, or is 
DDM not
subject to the 5250 data stream penalties? The same applies to Data Propagator.

Certain database functions are subject to CFINT (async access?, etc.). Will I 
truly realize
improvement on the 720, seeing as I have taken the processing of that system, 
albeit that, in
the case of DDM, all database access is still on the 720?

I tend to think that while DDM is the cheaper, built in option, I may not 
realize the expected
improvements. Data Propagator (at last check) is $3200-00 on the P05 and about 
$6400-00
on the P10 charge groups. DPROP is also the more elegant solution, with more 
reliability,
controls and menu driven management. That equates to greater customer 
independence.

I hope I have explained myself properly :-). Any ideas out there?

BTW, they intend moving to Oracle when they do go. Hell, I have my job cut out 
to educating
them over the next few months! I think it is easier to educate them than to 
convince them!

TIA.

Jan Patrick Megannon.
'First thing to do in the morning is to plan your dinner. That way you will 
have something good
to look forward to the whole day' - Old Irish saying.