[Info-vax] Accuweather new contract

[David Froble]

Jess Goodman wrote:

> "...bottlenecks and performance problems that were introduced when
> the data had to be replicated..."  The obvious but unanswered
> question is:  Why did this data have to be replicated in the first
> place?  The answer: because there was no webserver for VMS that could
> scale to anywhere near the performance capacity that AccuWeather
> required.

I see this as a problem resulting from the absurd idea of "free 
software".  Once someone gets the idea of such, then the next step is 
"the price is right, make it work", and now you're limited to whatever 
someone will choose to implement, without pay, on their own time.

Needless to say, that "free application" just might not be available in 
every environment.  Or when ported to another environment, might not 
work so well.

I'd also wonder at just what "performance capacity" is required, or 
currently in use at for instance AccuWeather?  Why would the WASD web 
server not satisfy that demand?  Not saying it should, just asking where 
it might not.

I don't use a web server.  One of my shortcomings, perhaps, perhaps not. 
  To me a web server is just a listener socket, accepting connection 
requests, with some capability to do something with some of the data 
sent by a client.  Perhaps over-simplified, but, that's what it does.

With sufficient specifications, I cannot see why a web server could not 
be implemented on VMS to satisfy any requirements.  Even a large cluster 
running multiple copies of the web server to meet the volume of 
connection requests.  (No, I haven't volunteered to write such.)

Also, you cannot solve a problem, unless you know what the problem is. 
I'd be curious as to where and why VMS based web servers do not satisfy 
the requirements?

The subject interests me because a cousin of the web server, a web 
service, has greatly influenced the applications he's working with.

In the old days, people would sit at terminals, with phones, and takes 
customer orders over the phone.  (Dave shows his extreme age.)  We have 
implemented "web services" and a protocol to enable customers to submit 
orders computer-to-computer.  Again, basically a listener socket, with 
code to process specific requests from clients.  We provide inventory 
inquiry, process sales orders, and such.  The providers of software on 
the other end are loving it, and have taken steps to use this 
capability.  It actually seems to be a bit astounding, how much this has 
changed the Codis customer's business.

Slightly off topic story.

We've been discussing how to set up things with more disaster tolerance. 
  There have been few problems in the past, but, things can always be 
made better.  Now, I was a bit confused with the "sudden" interest in 
disaster tolerance.  The question was, "what happens if we lose a day's 
work (orders)?"  I wondered what the problem was.  After all, we're 
selling a few lawn mower parts, how much could be lost?  A couple 
thousand dollars worth of orders?

Yesterday I brought up that very question.  The answer.  "Oh, no, the 
customers have been expanding, a million dollar day is possible ...."

.
.
.

(Dave hits floor ....)

.
.
.

While laying on floor, stunned, Dave considers his (possibly out of 
date) labor rates ....

Further discussion discloses that financial reporting from the GL system 
has had to be modified to handle the greatly increased figures ....

(More thoughts on out of date labor rates ....)

Ok, enough on the story ..

But one thing is clear.  The customers have increased business greatly, 
and part of that is because of the new web services that we've 
developed.  It has been a real "changer" of the business.

As a simple example.  The dealers now have small systems, and usually 
have software that provides a "parts explosion" of the products they are 
working on.  If they select a particular product, the dealer system can 
obtain a real time inventory availability on every distributor running 
Codis, and let the dealer know what's available.  The dealer system can 
then take the selected part(s) and immediately send an order to the 
distributor, who can fill the order from inventory, or, another 
distributor using Codis.  Do that on the phone ....

So, now, I can say that I understand just how important it is to embrace 
  and develop some new ways of doing business.  We, and I assume others, 
have been able to do it on VMS.  The question then becomes, why are 
others having problems doing so, and what needs to happen to rectify 
that situation?

I can specify one thing, the disgusting TCP/IP from HP.  I'm glad VSI is 
going to look at this.