[Info-vax] Licenses on VAX/VMS 4.0/4.1 source code listing scans

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 12/11/21 11:29 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 12/11/2021 10:30 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 12/11/21 9:58 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>> On 12/11/2021 8:20 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>>> On 12/10/21 8:29 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>>> Of course VSI could further reduce risk for users by
>>>>> coming up with a license scheme that ensured that all
>>>>> customers would always have N years left on their
>>>>> licenses.
>>>>
>>>> And, the only problem with that is what is good, longterm,
>>>> for the customer may not be good, longterm, for VSI.  An
>>>> interesting paradox.
>>>
>>> Depends on the model.
>>>
>>> The model where customers extend 1 year every year so they always have
>>> 5 years coverage is actually better for VSI than just having customers
>>> extend for next year.
>>
>> Don't know about in other countries, but that would pretty much
>> eliminate the US Government as a potential customer.
> 
> I doubt that. It is quite common to pay upfront for 5 years.

No agency of the US Government can commit funds beyond the end
of the Fiscal Year.  There are no 5 year contracts.  Only 1 year
contracts with 4 additional renewals.  And then only if the budget
for the next year includes funds for that renewal.  I once worked
for a company that won a contract to provide all sorts of IT gear
to the DOD with riders that let other agencies piggyback on it.
It was for several years and several hundred million dollars.  And
that was 35 years ago when that was still a lot of money.  It
everything from micros to minicomputers.  All kinds of networking
hardware.  All kinds of COTS software.  It made the headlines in
the CBD, Infoweek and other trade rags.  One year later most of
the stuff on the list was also on the GSA list.  The contract was
not renewed.  That particular company is no longer around and
probably not even remembered by those other than us who worked
there.  :-)

> 
>>                                                       Also not
>> really something I can see VSI agreeing to because it would
>> require a commitment they probably could not guarantee.
> 
> ????
> 
> In 2022 VSI sell a 5 year license good to 2027. In 2023
> VSI sell an extension so it is good until 2028. That should
> be fine for VSI. They do not guarantee anything - they just
> sell a license valid for a number of years.
> 

In the end of 2023 customers opt to not buy the 2029 extension
(or any beyond that).  That leaves VSI with a remaining 3 year
commitment and no incoming revenue.  As a three letter (beginning
with C) executive in the company, would you agree to do that?

bill