-----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Timothy Sipples Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 7:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: z9 / z10 instruction speed(s) <Snipped> > Note that I don't speak for IBM, but let me come right out and say > this: kneecapping is one of the best things IBM has ever done to help > the smaller mainframe customer manage their costs while enjoying the > same benefits in staying current with technology the way that the big > shops do. Without kneecapping there probably wouldn't be very many > smaller mainframe customers, either current ones or new ones.
But Tim, there *aren't* any "smaller" mainframe customers any more (at least not in the USA). IMHO, IBM abandoned the truly "small" customer when it abandoned VM/VSE for this once-upon-a-time viable customer base. z/OS is far too expensive (even with kneecapping) for (let's say) a small manufacturer (a regional baker for example). AFAIK, there is no way for IBM to bring z/OS on a z10 to a customer with a yearly IT budget in the 5- to (very) low 6-figure range, including software and staffing costs and necessary 3rd-party software. This is the once-upon-a-time mainframe customer base which IBM has deliberately decided to ignore, despite the fact that many such small operations can (and do) grow into larger ones. IBM has made and continues to make clear that its promise to investors to be present only in "high-margin" businesses is not just talk. If it's not at least a 7-figure contract for a mainframe, IBM just isn't that interested. Just my USD$0.02, FWIW. Peter This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
