RE: [RPGIV] Survey question - reality check

[Konrad Underkofler <kdunderk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rob,

Why do you feel that "quick drop of support for old releases (no need for
software support
either)"?  Doesn't the quick drop actually encourage you to get software
support?  Why do you feel you have no need for software support?

Answer -- We are on 4.3, a nice stable release. IBM stopped supporting it
a long time ago. We have 4.4 in a box with cum cds. No reason to put it on
either since there is no real 4.4 support either. When we did call the
answers
were not worth the $7k it cost. Accelerating release "death" just makes it
easier to stay comfy on something that works. "Support" typically is a
misnomer anyway. I would usually be calling about something Rochester broke,
not to get hand holding. Defect support should be free.

Why do you feel that "inability of existing machine to handle new releases
(no need for software subscription either)"?  Won't a 620 run V5R1?
Granted the newer versions of OS might 'encourage' you to have a little
more horsepower here and there, but it should run.

Answer -- It would run. But I am at capacity and have a nice availability
record. It broke our ERP out of the box. If I need 5.1 function it is a
good reason to support purchase of the new box. I also strangely found out
that we don't need software subscription to upgrade anyway, so I am at a
loss at to what it really provides other than a neat opportunity to see
some great SRC codes... For now we save the $7K on this item.

And your concerns that the newer box will take a bigger bite out of your
wallet to get the desired interactive feature are valid.

Leasing as an option?

Answer -- Depends on how you started. Some companies prefer to minimize
monthly
expense. Our current total yearly expense apart from software license fees
is on the order of $8k (hardware maintenance). It is tough to move off of
that.

Answer -- You bet, use the 400 for Java or else!

Yes that tiered pricing by the ERP vendor can be a significant factor also.
SSA's BPCS uses user based pricing.  That hasn't been a big concern.  Those
EDI vendors aren't quite as forgiving.  I haven't studied that enough to
say anything about leasing software.

Answer -- User based is fine if the ERP can count and each module is
purchased
and counted separately. Some vendors want $$$$$ to convert from tiered to
user based.

Overall I love the AS/400 but I do feel that everyone is doing their best to
optimize their own interest against the customer. IBM, our ERP vendor and
others
in the AS/400 marketspace have been having a ton of trouble balancing new
sales
against continuing a healthy revenue stream.

Konrad