[Info-vax] i4 Possible?

[JF Mezei]

On 14-02-07 23:33, David Froble wrote:

> Now, why HP didn't run their test suites, and if successful declare 
> Poulson "supported" but without using new features, I don't have a clue. 

The simple explanation: profits generated by sale of a few Poulson to
VMS customers are less than the cost of manpower to qualify VMS for it.
Consider that HP wil end up selling some Tukwillas to those customers
anyways.


Consider 5 year support commitments. Qualifying VMS for Poulson means
having to sell VMS till the end of IA64 whereas not supporting it allows
HP to set a date for end of sales in 2015.

Since Poulson will get a speed bump called Kittson, it means that
qualifying VMS for Poulson implicitly means qualifying for Kittson
(hence, longer support commitments)

Remember that the goal is to exit as graciously and silently as possible
from the VMS product line.  And so far, HP seems to have managed that
very well with no aparent backlash or bad media press ver HP killing VMS.