| Hi Jane,
Well back in January, the official line was :-
A question we are frequently asked is why the latest version of the CDA
Converter Library (V2.0) is not bundled with ALL-IN-1. This appears to be
causing confusion in the field as customers/accounts are now implementing
ALL-IN-1 V3.0. Also, there appears to be a perception in the field that
ALL-IN-1 V3.0 customers are now entitled to this option free under their
ALL-IN-1 Service Contract. This is not the case.
Here is an explanation of the situation:
General situation:
When a customer buys an ALL-IN-1 Licence, they acquire the right to use
the current version of ALL-IN-1. If they are under service contract
(SSS or SUSL in Europe) they maintain the right to use the new releases
or Updates to ALL-IN-1. Eventhough ALL-IN-1 contains several bundled
component products, customers do NOT maintain the right to Updates of
these components when they are not bundled with the licensed ALL-IN-1
product.
Specific ALL-IN-1 V3.0 situation:
When ALL-IN-1 V3.0 released in June 1992 the CDA Converter Library V1.1
was a bundled component product. This is explicitly referenced in the
ALL-IN-1 spd. Since then the CDA Converter Library has upgraded to V2.0
(October 1992). The time lag between ALL-IN-1 V3.0 release and CDA
Converter Library V2.0 has meant that ALL-IN-1 customers do not benefit
from the enhancements and additions to the recently announced Converter
Library V2.0 product.
ALL-IN-1 customers who have an explicit CDA Converter Library
maintenance contract are entitled to the new CDA Converter Library V2,
and should have already received this via the normal update channel.
ALL-IN-1 customers who haven't an explicit CDA Converter Library
maintenance contract and require Version 2.0 of the Converter Library
may purchase an Update License at 55% MLP discount rates, via normal
Digital business channels.
Other considerations:
The CDA Converter Library V2.0 includes significant enhancements over
V1.1, including support for many popular PC and MAC formats. In addition,
the CDA Converter Library V2.0 bears royalty obligations to a third party.
If we Digital fail to comply with the above Licensing scheme, we are in
serious breach of Digital's business practices and subsequently our
licensing agreement with third party.
Revenue Opportunity:
Document interchange is a significant customer problem that Digital is
uniquely positioned to solve with CDA technology. This is of value to
customers (as evidenced by demand for V2 of the CDA Converter Library) and
represents a revenue opportunity for Digital. Digital's offering is very
priced competitively against third parties in this space e.g Keyword.
****
I assume the official line will not have changed for the same reasons.
HTH,
Clive
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