[Info-vax] IS everyone waiting?

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf
> Of David Froble via Info-vax
> Sent: 22-Oct-16 11:25 AM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: David Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] IS everyone waiting?
> 
> Robert A. Brooks wrote:
> > On 10/21/2016 11:40 PM, David Froble wrote:
> >> Simon Clubley wrote:
> >>> However, if you have a support contract, and if your
systems
> are
> >>> running a supported VMS version, then you are still going
to
> be
> >>> better off than if you are running without support on an
old
> VMS
> >>> version.
> >>
> >> Just to set the record straight, I've always advocated using
the
> >> latest version of VMS.  The sole exception was V8.4, for
> obvious
> >> reasons, and with what was distributed, I think my fears
were
> >> justified.
> >>
> >> I've got the VSI Alpha V8.4-2 evaluation stuff running on
one
> of my
> >> systems. And I'll use the production version, if it becomes
> >> available.
> >
> > The plan is to release V8.4-2L1 for Alpha early in 2017.
Support
> and
> > licenses are bundled, such that if you want the license, you
> must
> > purchase support from VSI.  The OS and layered product
> licenses are
> > essentially free under this model.
> 
> This is excellent news.  Those on Alpha have basically an
unlimited
> (in time) support path.  VSI will have a recurring revenue
model.
> If there is any issues, it should be much easier to "fix" a
static
> thing instead of a moving target.
> 
> > We're trying to sort it out, but it's likely that for V9
(IA64 and
> > X86_64), we'll move to a similar licensing and support
> mechanism.
> 
> Level the playing field with Linux.  Should be an answer for
those
> who say VMS cannot compete on price.
> 

One word - yay!

Benefit - Focus on Customer OPEX support (low visibility, OPS Mgr
approval only) model vs. high CAPEX licenses (high visibility,
high C-level approvals required) buckets in Cust budget to gain
long term, reoccurring revenue streams for VSI.

For those not familiar with the Linux support pricing model:
- very, very few Linux Custs do not have a support licensing
agreement with at least one vendor. 
- med-large Linux Cust's usually select enterprise support
license for max support (most expensive) for prod systems
- Cust's usually make one payment up front for the next 1 or 2
years support (discounts for up-front payments provide up-front
revenue to support provider)

Red Hat support difference reference:
https://access.redhat.com/support/offerings/production/sla

> > There are no plans for a V9 Alpha release.
> 
> Nor should there be.  Get Alpha VMS to a supportable point, and
> leave it there, a bit similar to VAX VMS V7.3.  The future is
x86, for
> now.
> 

In software vendor terms, the Alpha V8.4-2L1  version sounds like
it might be called the "terminal release" version for the Alpha
versions. This is the terminology that Oracle uses for an EOL
release for a specific product.

Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com