[forwarded submission from a non-member address -- rjk]
From: "Ranga Nathan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 11:22:43 -0700 Subject: RE: [Boston.pm] Seeking recommendations on Unix platform To: "'Charles Reitzel'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The main issue with mainframers is that anything 'free' equates to public domain software of the 80s, i.e not supported, with bugs, products not rounded etc. Why even I had that notion until I researched and found a whole new world! A smooth migration path is essential for them. The student admin, payroll, accounting etc are all running on the mainframe. They need to run as reliably or more on the new platform. There is the fear of the unknown and fear of making wrong judgements and losing one's head. Fortunately the database (ADABAS) they run on the mainframe is available on unix too. So I am taking the approach of gradual 'weaning' by proposing to downsize to a robust unix platform - BSD / Linux + Dell/HP hardware for example. Then gradually help them move torwards 'free' software such as Postgress. This process involves re-education which needs an open mind. That I believe can be cultivated. This is a great opportunity and I want to make it a great success. Any mainframe -> unix/Linux migrations experiences that any one has heard of will be greatly appreciated... any2XML-any2XML-any2XML-any2XML-any2XML Ranga Nathan Reliance Technology - www.goreliance.com Home of Any2XML www.any2xml.com and COBOL Explorer www.cobolexplorer.com We convert anything to XML -----Original Message----- From: Charles Reitzel [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 8:05 AM To: Ranga Nathan Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Boston.pm] Seeking recommendations on Unix platform Hi Ranga, You say your customer is spending $100K/yr on hardware. Question: how much do they spend building, buying and supporting their applications? Certainly, they are spending much more than that on staff. Cost of ownership for computer systems usually has little to do with purchase costs. Even administration costs, especially for server systems, are usually not a deciding factor. The 64,000 pound gorilla (to mix a metaphor) is application costs: purchase, development, training, administration, maintenance, etc., etc. Of course, this is where _all_ the benefits are derived as well. _Everything_ else is overhead. So, the best way to convince anyone that a migration to platform X is a good idea is to demonstrate that their application costs will be substantially lower and that their application benefits will either be improved or, at worst, unaffected. Chances are the customer has existing applications running on these mainframes of theirs. You would have to demonstrate that they could continue to run the same applications or easily convert to new, equivalent applications on Linux. The availability of SAP, Peoplesoft, DB2, Websphere, Oracle, etc., etc. will probably drive your selection of a particular Linux distribution. Another big factor is runtime support. For example, Digex hosting facilities still do not support Linux. In order to get 24/7 support from Digex, you have to use a "vetted" hw/sw platform such as Sun/Solaris 7/8, HP-UX, IBM/AIX, etc. That said, there are many Linux-friendly hosting services. Again, they may limit your choices of Linux/Unix version. At the end of the day, you'll need to estimate all of the conversion costs, double them (both in time and $$) and estimate the future cost savings and calculate a payback period. If it takes more than 2 years, I think you will have difficulty making the sale. Personally, I would aim for break-even after 1 year. Good luck with your efforts. I really doubt the big iron is still justified anymore. Is it still the I/O king? Hope this helps, Charlie
