[Info-vax] Marketing ideas for VSI ?

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax <info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com> On Behalf Of Dave Froble
> via Info-vax
> Sent: December 14, 2018 7:57 PM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] Marketing ideas for VSI ?
> 
> On 12/14/2018 6:44 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> > On 2018-12-14 16:49:46 +0000, Rich Jordan said:
> >
> >> What Hoff said remains a (no longer 'the') major problem with
> >> clustering; the excessive cost.
> >
> > Clustering pricing was routinely US$25K per host in various quotes,
> > and this was for low-end single-socket Alpha server boxes.
> >
> > This pricing has been utterly untenable in a number of the quotes I've
> > worked, and has either wholly blown apart or has led to severely
> > down-graded configurations.
> 
> Ayep!  Been there, seen that.
> 

>From what I have seen/read in various public places, the VSI OpenVMS X86-64 pricing model is apparently going to be more in line with the Red Hat Linux model i.e. as a tiered support subscription model.

> In today's world, if VMS clusters are going to survive, then the capability
> needs to be part of the base OS.  That's much of the competition.  Price
> yourself out of the market, and soon your product has zero value.
> 
> You want VMS clusters to succeed, then make it [possible for them to
> succeed.
> 
> >> Cluster in a box.
> >> Two decent servers, shared storage or shadowing with a cluster
> >> interconnect (even if it is just GbE or 10GbE)
> >
> > Either three servers, or two servers with a cluster shared storage
> > interconnect.
> 
> If you're going to do it, then do it right.  Minimum of three.
> 
> > Two servers without a shared interconnect is a primary-secondary
> > configuration at best, and more typically a baroque and expensive
> > replicated-storage failover configuration.
> >
> > 10GbE minimally.  Faster would be preferable.  And my usual reference
> > around network I/O stack performance: https://lwn.net/Articles/629155/
> 
> Actually, this might depend upon the usage.  However, high speed
> connectivity just isn't that expensive anymore, for those who need it.
> 

As per the published info from VSI OpenVMS:
<http://www.vmssoftware.com/pdfs/webinars/w1_Feb2018_Update.pdf>

OpenVMS V9.2 X86-64 - support for Mellanox/Intel 100GbE adapters

> >> VMSCluster (and maybe shadow) licenses included Rdb or other relevant
> >> database license included (at least runtime) Fixed price program
> >> development option including at least one compiler of choice and
> >> tools (more compilers=better); database dev license also if base is
> >> runtime.
> >> Unlimited user licenses
> >> TCPIP Services
> >> Bundled service/support for (1 year?) with 'special' renewal pricing
> >> relative to having bought all the stuff independently.
> >
> > Oracle would seem an unlikely partner in this effort, though stranger
> > things have happened.
> >
> > PostgreSQL or SQLite are alternatives and can be good options, and
> > that incorporation would address other longstanding issues within the
> > base distro and its apps.  Downside: PostgreSQL is wedged behind SSIO.
> 
> The numeric range locking appears to me to be rather easy, if approached
> appropriately.  Maybe after the port.
> 
> > The VSI debates around traditional license prices, around
> > support-based prices with low-cost or free licenses akin to Centos and
> > Fedora and with RHEL when support is desired, and around a migration
> > to software service
> > (rental) pricing akin to iCAP or otherwise will undoubtedly continue.
> > The OpenVMS x86-64 licensing was the usual baroque collection of boxes
> > and arrows—simplicity is seemingly an anathema to software
> > licensing—and it seems likely we'll learn more about that licensing as
> > the production release approaches.
> 
> The recurring revenue approach is the best chance for success.
> 
> > Yes, having a pre-packaged configuration would be interesting.  BTW:
> > DEC offered this sort of thing with the VAX 6333, VAX 8974 and VAX
> > 8978, and a few other little-known VAX "models".  VAX 6333 list price
> > was between US$2M and US$3M depending on storage, BTW.  It wouldn't
> > surprise me to see a recent smartphone or tablet outrun that most VAX
> > configurations, either.  But I digress.
> >
> > OpenVMS has no entry-level pricing.   But those same licenses are the
> > lifeblood of VSI.  No good answer, here.
> 
> They will have to compete in today's market, or, go under.
> 

VAX 8974 Cluster install in New York City: (Way back in 1987 - installing an entire computer room in less than a week with a SWAT team)
<https://youtu.be/vA13LA-D5vI>

"Otherwise known as "DEC", there were numerous products and strategies that DEC created which largely went unnoticed after Compaq Computer bought the company back in 1998. One Field Service differentiator was the concept of a dedicated SWAT team to install an entire computer room in less than a week. This was done with creative pre-installation activities at the DEC manufacturing site by the actual team who was doing the install on site. A detailed Customer questionnaire was also done previous to this so all Cust specific parameters like IP info, naming etc. was all pre-loaded. Even things like garbage removal planning was done in advance. Customer feedback was "WOW""


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com