[Info-vax] OT: Sun/Oracle - Effect on Hardware Support

[David J Dachtera]

"Richard B. Gilbert" wrote:
> 
> David J Dachtera wrote:
> > I know this seems off-topic. However, I know many here also deal with
> > Sun and/or StorageTek hardware. Sun bought StorageTek a while back and
> > has been servicing my tape library at work.
> >
> > Just wondering if anyone has heard anything through channels about how
> > the acquisition of Sun by Oracle effects the hardware support side of
> > the business.
> >
> > D.J.D.
> 
> When and if the sale becomes final, Oracle inherits all the assets and
> liabilities of Sun.  That means that you still have an enforceable
> contract for your hardware support.  Oracle must honor it until the
> expiration date.  If the contract gives you an option to renew, you can
> exercise that option in accordance with the terms of the contract.  It's
> quite likely that you will still be dealing with the same people by
> phone and on-site; their badges may now read "Oracle" instead of "Sun"
> but still the same faces!

I'm more concerned with support for "non-CPU" hardware. To my knowledge,
STK never did sell "computers", only peripherals. I'm pondering the
likelihood of Oracle spinning storage and related hardware and support
off into its own company or possibly selling that part of the business
to someone else.

IBM does still have a (more or less) effective hardware support
organization. They'd be a good candidate to acquire that part of the
former Sun organization if Oracle were to offer it for sale.

D.J.D.