On Nov 26, 2007, at 9:22 PM, Timothy Sipples wrote:
-----------------------SNIP-------------------------
I agree with this general principle, although my specific
frustration was
related to a specific situation. That is, you're buying (or
upgrading to,
or leasing) a new machine, ergo you can confidently predict you're
going to
run it at *some* baseline level for years. (Otherwise, why are you
getting
the machine?) Just tell IBM *Software* that, and seriously
investigate an
ELA (or other agreement which incorporates ELA-type terms) so you
can quite
probably get some cool new OTC for your System z.
An ELA certainly doesn't have to coincide with a hardware purchase
to make
sense, but the situation I describe is *generally* a particularly easy
case. (ISV machines like Mikos's are special cases, of course.)
I have been out of the loop and I am not familiar with the term ELA.
But I guess from your entry it is a modifiable contract. Glad to hear
IBM is offering such a contract but I would have to know a lot more
(and understand it ) before giving any blessing. Which leads us to
the age old complaint about IBM Sales types and their lack of
interaction with the CIO's (or appropriate manager types). Now its
too bad that other vendors don't offer similar contracts. I know you
can't speak for OEM but they are in it to get all the money they can
possibly squeeze out of the rest of us. While profit is good costs
are one of the major factors that the MF is going belly up. I would
name names but everyone knows who the biggest offender is so make up
your you own name.
I don't want to get side tracked by the evil empire but they aren't
the only ones out there. Heck there used to be a DB2 vendor that at
times made the other vendor look like like a mouse.
What can IBM do to educate customers and keep them informed of
offerings? Not once a year but 3-4 times a year (at least)?
Ed
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