Vern,
To date, they have supported both options for the small systems.
Customers could 'do the math' and select the option that fits them best.
This continues through March of 2024.
With this change, the P05 and P10 tiers will no longer be able to
choose the *PERM option after March of 2024. Note that they WILL be
able to acquire additional licenses for machines that currently have
*PERM keys, including the most recent Power9 and Power10 servers.
While not announced one could postulate that at some future time, P30
tier machines will follow.
This licensing option covers IBM i cores and Users only. This mean that
customers will still need to acquire any needed LPPs for the system.
Personally I think IBM is using this to assure you pay for your SWMA.
Under the current system you can stop paying and keep using the system
forever effectively. If after a decade you decide to upgrade, you pay a
'currency access fee' which only covers a part of the missing revenue.
Meanwhile, though, IBM still has o pay for all the development and
support activities the system required. So effectively you're getting a
bargain!
This new model means that if you don't keep current, your machine shuts
down.
Will IBM lose some customers? Likely, but they will also most likely be
customers that were already moving away. Those who have always kept
Shawarma up to date will likely see little change in effect.
This is little different from their change, perhaps a decade ago, with
hardware maintenance. Fo a long time you could have no support, but
still call in a panic and while you paid a big charge for parts and
support, you still got it. Because thee machines are generally very
reliable, 'doing he math' many customers took the chance to save money.
Problem was that IBM couldn't know how many service representatives to
keep on, or how many parts to stock. Service reps hated it. IBM thus
changed policy such that now you get a response to your call 'within one
business day.' This is NOT a promise of service, only a callback to
begin a service call. So if you called at 5:05 on Friday, they didn't
have to call you until Tuesday morning, even if your machine was stone
cold and dark! Thus most folks signed up for maintenance, even if it
was with a third party.
- Larry
On 9/1/2023 11:24 PM, Vern Hamberg via MIDRANGE-L wrote:
I'm a little late to reply again - you say "They could just offer both
options." Even IBM is limited as to resources. Seriously! If they have
to focus on one task, a different task will not get done - same as we
have where I work.
I serve on the CAAC, and we often hear of the need to work on whatever
gives the most benefit.
Cheers
Vern
On 8/31/2023 11:39 AM, Patrik Schindler wrote:
Hello Rob,
Am 29.08.2023 um 13:34 schrieb Rob Berendt <robertowenberendt@xxxxxxxxx>:
There will no longer be *PERM keys for IBM i software.
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/sww-selected-non-expiring-i-license-offerings-as-transforms-i-business
"As the IT industry is moving toward licensing software in a
subscription model, the IBM i business is responding to the requests
of clients and partners as their businesses follow suit. Subscription
licensing offers clients predictable and consistent payment options
while maximizing the ability to remain current with their technology."
Using "everybody else does likewise" is just laughable. As if IBM
needed to care what others do. They could just offer both options.
I believe this is only to maximize revenue to IBM to benefit their
shareholders. As almost always nowadays.
Just my $0.02.
:wq! PoC
midrange.com
