Re: SWMA question

Ok, how about this. Does IBM still offer a separation of software support
from release upgrades? For example multiple plans like:
Plan A: Pay annual fee for 24x7 support with questions answered, fixes
provided, APARs opened, and free upgrades to new versions of OS.
Plan B: Pay annual fee for free upgrades to new versions of OS. You are
on your own as far as PTF's and what not.
Plan C: Pay annual fee for everything but free upgrades to new versions
of OS.
Plan D: Pay no annual fee. When a new release of OS comes out you pay
current list price.
Plan E: Might be popular for some but is not financially possible. Pay
no annual fee. Get free versions of new releases of OS whenever they come
out. Guarantee that they will continue supplying new releases every 2-3
years for the next 100 years.

I'm pretty sure that IBM used to separate B&C at one time.

And on another note: I'd say that people who fit into Paul's example
should have an outside person who comes in a minimum of once a year to
audit backups, put on PTF's and other such maintenance.

We pay a fee for annual maintenance on our UPS for someone to come in and
do PM.


Rob Berendt