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

[David J Dachtera]

Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> 
> David J Dachtera wrote:
> > "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.
> >> 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.
> 
> They could.
> 
> But I would assume there are synergies between selling systems and
> storage.

HP makes similar assumptions, but still rebadges other mfr.s' products. 
Besides, EMC is still king of that market.

D.J.D.