[Info-vax] What does VMS get used for, these days?

[Dave Froble]

On 10/24/2022 7:30 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 10/24/2022 6:56 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 10/24/22 16:42, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>> It may make sense to pay for a custom solution tailored for
>>> specific needs.
>>
>> Sites like the University already had this.  Developed over many
>> years and lots of man hours.
>>
>>> It may make sense to go for a standard solution and use it
>>> the standard way.
>>
>> Why would that make sense if you already had (and had paid for)
>> the working solution your going to replace?
>
> The model where you pay X to develop an application
> and you use that for decades for zero annual cost
> is not a common model.

I'd agree with that.  Things change.  The apps must reflect the changes.

> A way more common model is to pay X to develop an application
> and then every year pay Y to maintain and enhance the application
> to meet new requirements.
>
> With Y being 10-30% of X. Over the life cycle of the application
> the maintenance cost are way higher than the initial development.

Now which side of your ass did you pull those numbers?  10-30% is ridiculous.

Now, if one wants some type of maintenance agreement, that cost is outside 
everything else, since you'd have that cost regardless of what you're using.

As for changes in the business, I'd guess that it might be zero to some rather 
small number.  Unless one was able to find a vendor wanting to fleece customers, 
and one was dumb enough to select such a vendor.

> Reducing that maintenance cost can make sense.

In any reasonable situation, that never makes any sense.  Any total replacement 
will cost way more than anything else, and probably cause all kinds of business 
problems.  Just ask anyone who choose SAP.

>>> What I am skeptical about is the approach of taking a standard
>>> solution and do extreme customization.
>>
>> I doubt any of them allow "extreme" customization.
>
> What do you call an ERP "customization" with a price tag
> of 3 digit M$?

SAP

Back in the day I'd provide a lot more for a lot less.

> :-)
>
>>> That sort of defies the point of the standard solution.
>>
>> The big question is why even consider a "standard solution" if you
>> already had a perfectly functioning system specific to your environment?
>
> A perfectly functioning system for yesterdays requirements
> not for tomorrows.

NO, a perfectly functioning system for the past, today, and easily modified for 
tomorrow, if that becomes necessary.  Nothing stays the same, one advances or 
regresses.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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