RE: iSeries vs. Unix vs. SQL Server vs. Oracle -- MIDRANGE-L

A few more details about my situation:

The packages:
1) SQL Server-Based - This is NOT the best fit for the business in terms of 
functionality.  It is the front runner, but only because it's gui is more 
attractive.  And the fact that the salespeople have promised a couple of 
things: 75% reduction in MIS expenses/staff, and a 100% match to our business 
now & in the future.  This is all sales crap, but the GUI has a few key people 
convinced.  This package does not even have it's own Accounting...  It relies 
on MS's Solomon Acct, and our CFO has been quoted as saying 'If it is made by 
Microsoft, it must be good'...

2) iSeries-based - Best fit functionally, and comes with complete source code 
(to ensure a fit as needs change in the future.  Salespeople were not flashy, 
and did not promise the world to everyone.  I have a few people convinced this 
is the way to go, but our CFO does not like the AS/400 look/feel...  This 
package has 20-30 clients in our business, the SQL Server package has only 1.

Our business:
* We are a small/medium company in the footwear industry with 50-75 users
* Prior to our current ERP package, the company had one package which the 
heavily modified for 15+ years
* We are a privately held company with a VERY entrepreneurial atmosphere
* We have had an iSeries for 3+ years now, and my staff are all iSeries pros
* We do have an NT network, but rely on it purely for Exchange and print/file 
services
* We do not have SQL Server, but are considering it for our web server

My key challenge will be to get past the 'Microsoft makes it good' and 'it's 
pretty so it must be efficient' attitudes of a couple of people.  

The emails so far have helped, and I will continue to search for 
case-studies/documents/etc to help support by reliability/scalability claims...

Thanks again,
David





-----Original Message-----
From: David Wright 
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 10:21 AM
To: 'midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: iSeries vs. Unix vs. SQL Server vs. Oracle


Hi All,

I need some feedback from the user community with regards to the platform we 
intend to run our business on.  

We are currently looking for a new ERP package to replace our current one, and 
the company has narrowed the field to two choices:  One iSeries-based, and one 
SQL Server-based.

Based on my experience, I have ALWAYS found the iSeries/400 to be more reliable 
and more scalable than SQL Server...especially in enterprise level tasks.

What have your experiences been with SQL Server?
How do you suggest I convince the non-tech people in the selection team?
Do you know of any good reference articles comparing the two platforms?

Earlier in the process, there were Unix & Oracle proposals too.  Both have been 
sidelined for now, but feedback there would be nice as well.

Thank you in advance for your assistance,
David Wright
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