[Info-vax] OT: news from the trenches (re: Solaris)

[David Froble]

JF Mezei wrote:
> On 15-03-12 12:53, Scott Dorsey wrote:
> 
>> IBM traditionally has been a support operation that sells hardware so they
>> can support it.  
> 
> 
> Nop ! Originally a hardware company. They sold chairs, desks and clocks.
> Then they sold keypunch machines and printers.
> 
> Eventually forced to make them "computer" things but weren't really
> interested due to small potential market. They much prefered the
> keypunches and printers.
> 
> 
> In recent decades, it is true that the service organisation outfgrew the
> hardware one, and once reason is that hardware has become commoditised.
> 
> 
> And commoditasisation of hardware (even LaCarly understood that) is an
> important aspect for VSI to consider. Performance of different
> architectures is no longer difficiently differentiated to warrant a
> premium pricing difference.
> 
> Also cosnider this: if someone has $10,000 budget, do you rather:
> 
> spend $9,000 on hardware , $1000 on VMS licence
> or
> spend $2,000 on hardware, $8,000 on VSI licenses for various products.
> 
> 

Neither.

Spend $2000 on hardware, nothing on software, and pay monthly support 
fees, which will in time eclipse the $8000, and keep on happening ...

Actually, I believe for a serious system the HW will be more.  For 
serious users, support is mandatory.

Basically (sic) have a list of activities for which support is not 
required, and for the rest, usage of the software is dependent on 
maintaining a support contract / fees.