I don't know who or what the other end is, but it would probably change if your organization offered to fund their migration from BSC to something else, than it would be to buy new boxes to support it. Many times an offer like that will cause change in a hurry. It would be cheaper in the long run for your organization than it would be to leave the status quo (consider the cost of changing their connection versus the cost of maintaining your 3745s).
For one thing, who do you have that understands the protocol if there are problems? I used to have to support BSC connection to a modified RJE workstation program (IBM and our group modified the RJE package that came with JES so it had tape device support, long story I'll tell if you buy me a beer at SCIDS) and it's not pretty when it's not working! You may have someone now who understands the protocol - but he's probably close to retiring, and when he leaves then it will cost more money to get help when you need it. If this is in fact an RJE connection, I would suggest you look into Barr Systems (we use them, I can recommend them) or one of the other PC-based RJE packages. If it's something else, I'm sure that there must be a way to communicate whatever is coming over that link in another manner. If you absolutely can't get it changed, at least look at removing features and scanners from the 3745s that you don't need so you can drop maintenance costs and lower your licensing costs to a lower tier. Tim Hare Senior Systems Programmer Florida Department of Transportation (850) 414-4209 > > I still have some 3745's and the maintenance contract is horrendous. I > have no control over the far end, only my end. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
