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Conference ilbbak::us_sales_service

Title:US_SALES_SERVICE
Notice:Please register in note 2; DVNs in note 31
Moderator:MCIS3::JDAIGNEAULT
Created:Thu May 16 1991
Last Modified:Tue Sep 03 1996
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:226
Total number of notes:1486

42.0. "INFOSERVER 150 ALERT" by SAHQ::STURTEVANT () Wed Oct 16 1991 16:35

                      
    I would like to raise several issues around the announcement of
    the Infoserver 150.  These issues will certainly result in
    confusion for both Sales and our customers.  In addition, it
    has the potential to create MAJOR customer dissatisfaction issues 
    and cost DEC money as well.  
   
     ISSUE: AQS gives the Sales Rep a message stating that the 
            replacement part for an Infoserver 100 is the Infoserver
            150.  It does not mention that additional part numbers
            are now needed.  Sales and the customer are still working 
            from the Q1 SOC and the AQS long description for the 
            Infoserver 100;  there is, as of today, no long description 
            on AQS for the Infoserver 150.
   
        Problem: Sales will quote an Infoserver 150, believing that it 
                 is a comparable replacement for the Infoserver 100.
                 Neither Sales nor the customer will realize until it
                 is too late that Condist and OLD must be added.
   
     ISSUE: The Infoserver 100 price will be increased to the same
            price as the Infoserver 150;  in addition to not having
            the Version 2.0 software which does not require client
            licenses, the Infoserver 100 will also no longer contain
            the complimentary copies of Condist and OnLine Documentation.
   
        Problem: It will be obvious to customers that they are being
                 charged more for less for no reason other than 
                 someone wanting to force them to buy a new product
                 which they may or not need.  
   
     ISSUE: All of the preconfigured 6000 systems in the current SOC
            include an Infoserver 100.  This is listed in the long
            description, as are the part numbers for the Condist
            and OLD discs.  
   
         Problem: Are all of these part numbers going to be changed 
                  too?  What about quotes that have already been
                  presented?  Will the customer get what he has
                  been promised?
   
     ISSUE: Customers who received quotes with the Infoserver 100
            are expecting to receive ConDist and OLD discs. The 
            AQS long description specifically shows that they are 
            included.
   
         Problem: The customer will get his order with no discs and 
                  will not be able to boot his system or run any
                  of the software products for which he purchased
                  licenses.  Ask any Sales Rep how his customer
                  will feel about this!  In addition to being 
                  dissatisfactied, the customer is going to insist
                  that Sales allowance $1000 and provide the discs.
                  
                  Who is going to pay for these allowances?  How is
                  the Sales Rep to explain this change to his unhappy
                  customer?
   
     ISSUE: We are being told by the Colorado hotline that quotes 
            generated before this change went into effect WILL NOT 
            BE HONORED.  
   
         Problem: Since when do we not honor quotes?  What is going 
                  to be done about customers who are ordering from 
                  quotes that show discs are included?  Who is
                  going to pay for these allowances?  
   
     ISSUE: The initial copy of ConDist used to be available in three
            flavors: a) with no VMS documentation, b) with base VMS
            documentation, and c) with extended VMS documentation.
            B and C are no longer available; AQS gives the replacement
            part as A (no documentation).  
        
         Problem: They are NOT comparable and will result in an 
                  allowance of $2244 to a Sales Rep whose customer 
                  needs the hardcopy extended documentation.
   
    This kind of strategy for replacing part numbers in an attempt to
    bulldoze customers in the direction we want them to go must be
    reconsidered.  It is costing DEC money as well as creating customer
    satisfaction and other serious issues for both Sales and Admin.  
   
    If we want to phase out a product, there needs to be an orderly means 
    of migrating to the new replacement product while protecting our 
    customers from punitive price increases.  Our Sales Reps need to be
    protected from allowances that are not their fault.  And DEC needs to
    be protected from giving away hard-earned dollars because someone
    didn't consider the impact of their actions on our customers.
    
    In particular, the issue of not honoring quotes that have already
    been signed and presented needs to be reconsidered, as it is 
    clearly poor business practice and probably illegal as well.
   
    bjs
   
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
42.1VISUAL::LYNCHThu Nov 14 1991 17:32802
This is a long reply to note #42.  

My name is Mike Lynch and I'm the marketing manager for the InfoServer 150. 
Nancyfaye Autenzio, the InfoServer product manager, and I have been working 
to resolve this issue for the past several weeks.  We have worked with Bev, 
and her sales management as well as the DSPS group and AQS.  As of this 
morning, I belive we have finally resolved all the issues around this.  

We have a Sales Flash going out friday Nov 15, and have made the necessary 
corrections to the DSPS file.  AQS gets its data from DSPS, so AQS should 
be accurate now.  I have attached a copy of the sales flash, and a sample 
of the new DSPS description that was the focus of this issue.  The 
InfoServer team will honor all quotes through Nov. 18, and work special 
customer issues as they arrise.

This was increadibly frustrating to the InfoServer team.  We realized the
importance of this, but were unable to pinpoint the solution for some time.
Then, when we understood how to solve it, the "process" took over, and that 
process again took a long time to work. 

I have attached alot (but not all) of the the background memos to this
reply.  I did not attach them to show how we were trying to work this, but
rather to show how much effort (and time) was involved to change 1 line of
description, and to delete 4 other lines. 

I believe we have reached our goal, and been successfull.  Although I don't 
want to "relive" this experience, I would be willing to discuss the steps 
we had to go through, if it would decrease those steps for others.

regards
Mike Lynch
InfoServer Mkt. Mgr. 
dtn 264-5851
Visual::lynch


Sales Flash copy
_____________________________________
From:	VISUAL::LYNCH        "Mike Lynch, InfoServer Mkt. Mgr., dtn 264-5851"  7-NOV-1991 10:28:11.89
To:	SALES::SALES_FLASH
CC:	DALE,TREV,NANCYFAYE,MIKE
Subj:	InfoServer Sales flash copy for Nov. 15 Flash package.

Attached is the copy for the sales flash on the InfoServer.  If you have 
any questions you can contact Mike Lynch dtn 264-5851, or Dale Rensing dtdn 
223-4178. Thanks for your help.

regards
mike lynch

Sales Flash			
November 6, 1991		
Subject: InfoServer 100 and 150 do NOT include ConDist, OLD, or DEClearn

There is a descrepancy between what was announced in the October 7th Sales
Update for InfoServer products and what is currently in AQS.  The AQS long
description is pulled from a DSPS file.  This DSPS file does not accurately
reflect what is included in InfoServer orders.  This issue is currently
being worked.  Please refer to Sales Update pages 141 - 151 for providing
accurate quotes.  Quotes made using AQS up to this date specifying the
inclusion of Online Documentation, Consolidated Distribution, and DEClearn
will be honored. 

As stated on page 145 of the Sales Update, InfoServer 150 and 100 servers will 
not include ConDist, OLD, or DEClearn CDs.  

REGARDING VAX 6000 SYSTEM ORDERS:

Customers who order the old VAX 6000 packaged systems will receive the
InfoServer 100.  The AQS long description for these products is accurate in
the fact that it only calls out the InfoServer part number. Orders for
these packaged systems after October 15th are planned to no longer include
ConDist, OLD, or DEClearn.  However, quotes made after October 15 and based
on the details from the incorrect long description will be honored. 

Please remember that even if they were included, ConDist  cannot be used to
do an initial system load from the InfoServer to any VAX system.  You will 
have to order the VMS binaries. 

The October edition of the VAX Systems and Options catalog began distribution 
to the field last week.  This includes the configuration menus for the new VAX 
6000 systems.  The older VAX 6000 package systems are no longer cited.  The new 
VAX 6000 system configuration menus include the InfoServer 150 as a Console 
Load Device option, along with two other possibilities, the TF85 and the TK70.
Post Script files of this information can also be obtained through ACCESS or 
OPAL.


A SAMPLE OF THE DSPS DISCRIPTION WITH THE FOUR LINES DELETED, AND THE ONE 
LINE CORRECTION.  
___________________________________________________________________________
SEABB-AA

InfoServer 100 System, 
includes,
SEABB-A InfoServer 100 base
hardware with 1 RRD42 and
1 RZ23L, 120V/240V
(1) QL-YSH99-AA Server
Software License
(4) QL-YTC99-AA VMS
Client Licenses
SEAKA-AA Country Kit which
includes Doc Set & Power Crd


COPY OF THE MEMO TO DSPS TO MAKE THE FINAL CORRECTIONS, WHICH WERE MADE THE 
SAME DAY.
____________________________________________________________________________
From:	VISUAL::LYNCH        "Mike Lynch, InfoServer Mkt. Mgr., dtn 264-5851" 11-NOV-1991 08:42:05.23
To:	CASPRO::MARSH
CC:	MIKE,@AQS.DIST
Subj:	INFOSERVER CORRECTIONS FOR DSPS, AND AQS LONG DESCRIPTION

Steve,

Late last week I talked to several people to make sure that we were doing 
the correct things.  Robin asked that I check with Dick Smith, the PAC 
legal representative to make sure that changing the InfoServer 100 DSPS 
description would not have legal ramifications.  Dick's felt that we 
(digital) was changing it prices, etc. often.  As long was we honor quotes 
until the changes are made, and work any other outstanding customer issues 
as they arise; we are OK.

Therefore, I would like you to make the corrections as noted in the 
descriptions that follow. (The descriptions that follow are correct.  They 
have been reviewed by the InfoServer 5X5. You can include them as they are 
written.) 

In addition to this there is a sales flash going out at the end of this
week.  We will honor quotes on the old description until Nov. 18, 1991. 

Steve, Robin had mentioned that you could get these changes into the system 
for tomorrow.  Please make that happen.

Thanks for your cooperation.


Regards
Mike Lynch
InfoServer Marketing Manager.



From:	NAME: Robin Bouchard                
	FUNC: Pricing Admin.                  
	TEL: 232-2636                         <BOUCHARD.ROBIN AT A1 at USEM at PKO>
To:	LYNCH@VISUAL@VMSMAIL


Mike, here are the descriptions....

SEABB-AA

InfoServer 100 System, 
includes,
SEABB-A InfoServer 100 base
hardware with 1 RRD42 and
1 RZ23L, 120V/240V
(1) QL-YSH99-AA Server
Software License
(4) QL-YTC99-AA VMS
Client Licenses
SEAKA-AA Country Kit which
includes Doc Set & Power Crd

SEABB-A9

InfoServer 100 System,
includes,
SEABB-A InfoServer 100 base hardware
with 1 RRD42 and 1 RZ23L, 120V/240V
(1) QL-YSH99-AA Server Software License
(4) QL-YTC99-AA VMS Client Licenses
also includes,
ADD COUNTRY KIT --> SEAKA-A*

SEABC-AA

InfoServer 100 System, 
includes,
SEABB-A InfoServer 100 base hardware
with 2 RRD42 and 1 RZ23L, 120V/240V
(1) QL-YSH99-AA Server Software License
(4) QL-YTC99-AA VMS Client Licenses
SEAKA-AA Country Kit which
includes Doc Set & Power Crd


SEABC-A9

InfoServer 100 System,
includes,
SEABC-A InfoServer 100 base 
hardware with 2 RRD42 and 1 RZ23L,
120V/240V
(1) QL-YSH99-AA Server Software License
(4) QL-YTC99-AA VMS Client Licenses
also included,
ADD COUNTRY KIT --> SEAKA-A*


THESE MEMO CHRONICLE SOME OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES AROUND THIS.  IT IS  A 
COMPLIATION OF NOTES.  IN BETWEEN MANY OF THESE MEMOS WERE PHONE CALLS.
________________________________________________________________________
 
From:	VISUAL::LYNCH        "Mike Lynch, InfoServer Mkt. Mgr., dtn 264-5851"  7-NOV-1991 14:42:36.86
To:	MIKE
CC:	
Subj:	AQS COMPLETE BACKGROUND - KEEP ON FILE 

From:	MEMIT::AUTENZIO      6-NOV-1991 10:02:41.72
To:	VISUAL::KEMPSELL,VISUAL::LYNCH,ENGINE::RENSING,AUTENZIO
CC:	
Subj:	help  

From:	USEM::CEBALLOS     "AQS Project Manager DTN 223-3149"  4-NOV-1991 16:02:28.47
To:	MEMIT::AUTENZIO
CC:	
Subj:	Infoserver Issue - Need resolution ASAP


                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     04-Nov-1991 03:55pm EST
                                        From:     SAMUEL A CEBALLOS
                                                  CEBALLOS.SAM
                                        Dept:     Quotation Sys Prog'm Off
                                        Tel No:   (508) 493 3149/DTN 223-3149

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _MEMIT::AUTENZIO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _LANDO::RAYMOND )

CC:  Remote Addressee                     ( SAM CEBALLOS@DDD )
CC:  Remote Addressee                     ( BEVERLY STURTEVANT@ALF )

Subject: Infoserver Issue - Need resolution ASAP

Ric and Nancy,

We need a communicate from either or both of you clarifying this issue.  I
will sponsor the message to go out as a Sales Flash ASAP.  

This issue was elevated to the Management Response Center.  The irony of
this situation are the mix messages either in the APEX or DSPS descriptions.
We need to bring this issue to closure, we need to communicate the outcome
and the reasons why we are not including the products previously referenced.
I also need to reply to the Management Response Center on a resolution.

Best Regards.

Sam



From:	SONATA::CANNEY       "Corporate Customer Relations" 31-OCT-1991 13:56:09.54
To:	USEM::CEBALLOS
CC:	
Subj:	URGENT - Need Help with the attached                                   1



                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     31-Oct-1991 01:48pm EDT
                                        From:     DON CANNEY
                                                  CANNEY.DON
                                        Dept:     CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS
                                        Tel No:   276-9107

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _USEM::CEBALLOS )


Subject: URGENT - Need Help with the attached                        

  Hi Sam,
  
  I was given your name by a colleague of mine, Ginny Reinap, as a resource 
  that was very helpful to her in the past.
  
  The attached is an issue that was elevated to my office this morning by 
  Beverly Sturtevant, a DEC Sales Support person in the Southern Region 
  (Atlanta).  It appears that the Product Manager for the INFOSERVER, and the 
  Product Manager for the 6000 are having a problem implementing an adjustment 
  to some part numbers on the AQS system.  The attached is quite lengthy, but 
  is a good documentation of events.... there is a roll-up on the last page.
  
  Thanks for any help you can provide.
  
  Regards,
  
  Don Canney
  Corporate Customer Relations


 


                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     31-Oct-1991 11:02am EDT
                                        From:     Beverly Sturtevant @ALF
                                                  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY AT A1 at SAHQ at ALF
                                        Dept:     SOUTHERN AREA OMS
                                        Tel No:   DTN 385-2280

TO:  DON CANNEY @OGO


Subject: INFOSERVER ISSUES                                           


   
   Don, thanks for your help.
   
   I've attached all of the documentation around this issue:
   
     - Oct 15 - I raised the issues
   
     - Oct 18 - Nancyfaye Autenzio (product manager) answer
   
     - Oct 18 - response from Ric Raymond (6000 product manager)
   
     - Oct 18 - my response to the Nancyfaye's anwer
   
     - Oct 31 - my memo to Nancyfaye with new issues
   
   FYI: I also put a note in the US Sales notes file.  This file 
   can be found at: 
     
        GERBIL::US_SALES_SERVICE    Note 42.0 
   
   Since we talked, I've had a memo from the Nancyfaye.  Neither of
   us can figure out what is going on.  AQS will not give me a long
   description of the Infoserver 150 products, yet I'm looking at
   a quote that includes a long description specifically indicating
   free discs.  I have a call in to the AQS support team - maybe 
   they can help solve the mystery.
   
   Beverly
   


I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     15-Oct-1991 04:57pm EST
                                        From:     Beverly Sturtevant @ALF
                                                  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY
                                        Dept:     SOUTHERN AREA OMS
                                        Tel No:   DTN 385-2280

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( NANCYFAYE AUTENZIO @MKO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( DALE RENSING @MLO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( MIKE LYNCH @MKO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _ipovax::jdavenport )

CC:  Carol Thompson @ALF                  ( THOMPSON.CAROL )

Subject: INFOSERVER 150 ANNOUNCEMENT                                 

   
   I would like to raise several issues around the announcement of
   the Infoserver 150.  These issues will certainly result in
   confusion for both Sales and our customers.  In addition, it
   has the potential to create MAJOR customer dissatisfaction issues 
   and cost DEC money as well.  
   
     ISSUE: AQS gives the Sales Rep a message stating that the 
            replacement part for an Infoserver 100 is the Infoserver
            150.  It does not mention that additional part numbers
            are now needed.  Sales and the customer are still working 
            from the Q1 SOC and the AQS long description for the 
            Infoserver 100;  there is, as of today, no long description 
            on AQS for the Infoserver 150.
   
        Problem: Sales will quote an Infoserver 150, believing that it 
                 is a comparable replacement for the Infoserver 100.
                 Neither Sales nor the customer will realize until it
                 is too late that Condist and OLD must be added.
   
     ISSUE: The Infoserver 100 price will be increased to the same
            price as the Infoserver 150;  in addition to not having
            the Version 2.0 software which does not require client
            licenses, the Infoserver 100 will also no longer contain
            the complimentary copies of Condist and OnLine Documentation.
   
        Problem: It will be obvious to customers that they are being
                 charged more for less for no reason other than 
                 someone wanting to force them to buy a new product
                 which they may or not need.  
   
      ISSUE: All of the preconfigured 6000 systems in the current SOC
             include an Infoserver 100.  This is listed in the long
             description, as are the part numbers for the Condist
             and OLD discs.  
   
         Problem: Are all of these part numbers going to be changed 
                  too?  What about quotes that have already been
                  presented?  Will the customer get what he has
                  been promised?
   
      ISSUE: Customers who received quotes with the Infoserver 100
             are expecting to receive ConDist and OLD discs. The 
             AQS long description specifically shows that they are 
             included.
   
         Problem: The customer will get his order with no discs and 
                  will not be able to boot his system or run any
                  of the software products for which he purchased
                  licenses.  Ask any Sales Rep how his customer
                  will feel about this!  In addition to being 
                  dissatisfactied, the customer is going to insist
                  that Sales allowance $1000 and provide the discs.
                  
                  Who is going to pay for these allowances?  How is
                  the Sales Rep to explain this change to his unhappy
                  customer?
   
      ISSUE: We are being told by the Colorado hotline that quotes 
             generated before this change into effect WILL NOT BE 
             HONORED.  
   
         Problem: Since when do we not honor quotes?  What is going 
                  to be done about customers who are ordering from 
                  quotes that show discs are included?  Who is
                  going to pay for these allowances?  
   
      ISSUE: The initial copy of ConDist used to be available in three
             flavors: a) with no VMS documentation, b) with base VMS
             documentation, and c) with extended VMS documentation.
             B and C are no longer available; AQS gives the replacement
             part as A (no documentation).  They are NOT comparable 
             and will result in an allowance of $2244 to a Sales Rep 
             whose customer needs the hardcopy extended documentation.
   
   This kind of strategy for replacing part numbers in an attempt to
   bulldoze customers in the direction we want them to go needs to stop.  
   It is costing DEC money as well as creating customer satisfaction and 
   other serious issues for both Sales and Admin.  
   
   If we want to phase out a product, there needs to be an orderly means 
   of migrating to the new replacement product while protecting our 
   customers from punitive price increases.  Our Sales Reps need to be
   protected from allowances that are not their fault.  And DEC needs to
   be protected from giving away hard-earned dollars because someone
   didn't consider the impact of their actions on our customers.  The 
   issue of not honoring quotes that have already been signed and 
   presented needs to be reconsidered, as it is clearly poor business 
   practice and probably illegal as well.
   
   Regards,
   


Don - I've bolded Nancyfaye's answers.

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     18-Oct-1991 03:15pm EST
                                        From:     AUTENZIO@MEMIT
TO:  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY@A1

Subject: RE: INFOSERVER 150 ANNOUNCEMENT                             

 I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     15-Oct-1991 04:57pm EDT
                                        From:     Beverly Sturtevant @ALF
                                                  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY
                                        Dept:     SOUTHERN AREA OMS
                                        Tel No:   DTN 385-2280

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( NANCYFAYE AUTENZIO @MKO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( DALE RENSING @MLO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( MIKE LYNCH @MKO )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _ipovax::jdavenport )

CC:  Carol Thompson @ALF                  ( THOMPSON.CAROL )

Subject: INFOSERVER 150 ANNOUNCEMENT                                 

   
   I would like to raise several issues around the announcement of
   the Infoserver 150.  These issues will certainly result in
   confusion for both Sales and our customers.  In addition, it
   has the potential to create MAJOR customer dissatisfaction issues 
   and cost DEC money as well.  
   
     ISSUE: AQS gives the Sales Rep a message stating that the 
            replacement part for an Infoserver 100 is the Infoserver
            150.  It does not mention that additional part numbers
            are now needed.  Sales and the customer are still working 
            from the Q1 SOC and the AQS long description for the 
            Infoserver 100;  there is, as of today, no long description 
            on AQS for the Infoserver 150.
   
        Problem: Sales will quote an Infoserver 150, believing that it 
                 is a comparable replacement for the Infoserver 100.
                 Neither Sales nor the customer will realize until it
                 is too late that Condist and OLD must be added.

>>>>>> ConDist, OLD and DECLearn were included as a promotion only to 
       promote the
       acceptance of InfoServer CD technology since there are so few 
       applications available in the ODS-2 format which VMS uses - VMS 
       was our only client at FCS of the InfoServer 100.  Orders which 
       are now placed for the InfoServer 100 will NO LONGER include the 
       complementary
       ConDist, OLD, DECLearn. (Further, we now have additional clients
        - PATHWORKS for DOS, native MS-DOS, and others to come, to whom 
       these CDs are not
       applicable...also, including these discs on all packaged systems
       increases the transfer cost substantially.

   
     ISSUE: The Infoserver 100 price will be increased to the same
            price as the Infoserver 150;  in addition to not having
            the Version 2.0 software which does not require client
            licenses, the Infoserver 100 will also no longer contain
            the complimentary copies of Condist and OnLine Documentation.
   
        Problem: It will be obvious to customers that they are being
                 charged more for less for no reason other than 
                 someone wanting to force them to buy a new product
                 which they may or not need.  

>>>  THis is correct, we are trying to encourage migration to the new product.
     However, for a limited period of time, customers who so choose 
     may still order the 100s.   
     Neither the 100s nor the 150s will contain free discs.  Again, this
     is no longer viable from a financial standpoint, PC clients get
     discs they can't use, this was a limited time offer, etc.


      ISSUE: All of the preconfigured 6000 systems in the current SOC
             include an Infoserver 100.  This is listed in the long
             description, as are the part numbers for the Condist
             and OLD discs.  
   
         Problem: Are all of these part numbers going to be changed 
                  too?  What about quotes that have already been
                  presented?  Will the customer get what he has
                  been promised?
   
>>>>  SOC is changing.  Customers who have already placed IS100 orders
      should get IS100s at the quoted price.


      ISSUE: Customers who received quotes with the Infoserver 100
             are expecting to receive ConDist and OLD discs. The 
             AQS long description specifically shows that they are 
             included.
   
         Problem: The customer will get his order with no discs and 
                  will not be able to boot his system or run any
                  of the software products for which he purchased
                  licenses.  Ask any Sales Rep how his customer
                  will feel about this!  In addition to being 
                  dissatisfactied, the customer is going to insist
                  that Sales allowance $1000 and provide the discs.
                  
                  Who is going to pay for these allowances?  How is
                  the Sales Rep to explain this change to his unhappy
                  customer?
   
>>>>  The InfoServer Condist allowance of $500 dollars off of the $1500 yearly
      subscription was dropped on July 1, 1991.  

      ISSUE: We are being told by the Colorado hotline that quotes 
             generated before this change into effect WILL NOT BE 
             HONORED.  
   
         Problem: Since when do we not honor quotes?  What is going 
                  to be done about customers who are ordering from 
                  quotes that show discs are included?  Who is
                  going to pay for these allowances?  

>>> Orders which have already been accepted should be honored.     


      ISSUE: The initial copy of ConDist used to be available in three
             flavors: a) with no VMS documentation, b) with base VMS
             documentation, and c) with extended VMS documentation.
             B and C are no longer available; AQS gives the replacement
             part as A (no documentation).  They are NOT comparable 
             and will result in an allowance of $2244 to a Sales Rep 

>>>> I am not the Condist product manager - I am not familiar with 
the above issue.

   
   This kind of strategy for replacing part numbers in an attempt to
   bulldoze customers in the direction we want them to go needs to stop.  
   It is costing DEC money as well as creating customer satisfaction and 
   other serious issues for both Sales and Admin.  
   
   If we want to phase out a product, there needs to be an orderly means 
   of migrating to the new replacement product while protecting our 
   customers from punitive price increases.  Our Sales Reps need to be
   protected from allowances that are not their fault.  And DEC needs to
   be protected from giving away hard-earned dollars because someone
   didn't consider the impact of their actions on our customers.  The 
   issue of not honoring quotes that have already been signed and 
   presented needs to be reconsidered, as it is clearly poor business 
   practice and probably illegal as well.
   
>>> Quotes which have already been made clearly need to be honored as
    quoted.
    I would also add that the MANY customers with whom we have spoken
    are enthusiastic about no longer being "nickel and dimed" with
    client license fees.  At $290 per VMS client - and up to 100 clients
    supported by InfoServer, customers were being charged THOUSANDS 
    in addition to the base packaged system price.  That issue was, by
    far, the top customer sat. issue over the last 12 months.          
    Furthermore, the InfoServer has been aggressively priced with regard
    to the competition and far and away offers more functionality than
    any network storage server available in the market.  

>>> As always, Mike Lynch, Dale Rensing or myself would be happy to discuss 
this
    with you further.  I understand that in any transition/migration scenario
    we have to take whatever steps needed to smooth things along the
    way...and we are more than willing to work with you - but please
    be sensitive to the fact that we need to realize revenue from the
    products we bring to market.

   Regards,
   Nancyfaye Autenzio



Don - Ric is the 6000 product manager.  His response does not seem to
      match Nancyfaye's.

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     18-Oct-1991 10:59am EST
                                        From:     RAYMOND
                                                  RAYMOND@LANDO@MRGATE@SAHQ@ALF
                                        Dept:      
                                        Tel No:    

TO:  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY@A1


Subject: VAX 6000 and Info Servers                                   

BJ,
	This is to answer your question concerning Info Server 100 and
VAX 6000 systems.  (I have deleted most of your note and left only the
part that I can answer!!)

    I would like to raise several issues around the announcement of
    the Infoserver 150.  These issues will certainly result in
    confusion for both Sales and our customers.  In addition, it
    has the potential to create MAJOR customer dissatisfaction issues 
    and cost DEC money as well.  
   
     ISSUE: All of the preconfigured 6000 systems in the current SOC
            include an Infoserver 100.  This is listed in the long
            description, as are the part numbers for the Condist
            and OLD discs.  
   
         Problem: Are all of these part numbers going to be changed 
                  too?  What about quotes that have already been
                  presented?  Will the customer get what he has
                  been promised?
   
All VAX 6000 part numbers which have the Info Server 100 will continue to
be shipped as before.  There has not been any ECO.  We have just come
out with a new set of part numbers for systems which no longer include
the Info server.  We expect most of our customers to order these.

All quotes for the old part numbers are still valid and will be honored.
The customer will get what they order...no surprises.

If you have further questions about the VAX 6000 please send me mail.

Ric   





                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     18-Oct-1991 03:39pm EST
                                        From:     Beverly Sturtevant @ALF
                                                  STURTEVANT.BEVERLY
                                        Dept:     SOUTHERN AREA OMS
                                        Tel No:   DTN 385-2280

TO:  AUTENZIO                             ( AUTENZIO@MEMIT@MRGATE@SAHQ@ALF )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( dale rensing @mlo )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( mike lynch @mko )

CC:  Carol Thompson @ALF                  ( THOMPSON.CAROL )

Subject: RE: INFOSERVER 150 ANNOUNCEMENT                             

   
   I agree that the purpose of the free discs was to familiarize
   customers with CDROM technology - that has been very successful,
   it's a great product and our customers love it.  I also agree 
   that we cannot continue to give the discs away or assume that 
   all customers need the same thing. 
   
   I do not object to replacing the Infoserver 100 with the 
   Infoserver 150; nor do I have any problem with not including 
   the free discs with the Infoserver 150.
   
   My concerns are:
   
      * Not shipping the complimentary discs with Infoserver 100s 
        that have already been QUOTED (there is a big difference 
        between "ordered" and "quoted").  If the description on
        the customer's quote says they are included at no charge, 
        that is what they will expect to receive.
   
      * If the Infoserver 100 will no longer include free discs,
        the AQS long description and APPIX BOMs must be changed;  
        as of right now, both still indicate that QA-VWJ8A-A8 and 
        QA-VYR8A-G8 are included.  Until they are changed, quotes 
        will continue to be generated with that description and 
        will have to be honored.
   
      * The part numbers for the preconfigured systems that include 
        Infoserver 100s are still valid, even though they will not 
        be listed in the SOC.  Your answer to this issue is not the 
        same as Ric Raymond's (6000 product manager) - here's what 
        he sent me: 
   
         "All VAX 6000 part numbers which have the InfoServer 100 
          will continue to be shipped as before.  There has not 
          been any ECO.  We have just come out with a new set of 
          part numbers for systems which no longer include the 
          Infoserver.  We expect most of our customers to order 
          these.  All quotes for the old part numbers are still 
          valid and will be honored.  The customer will get what 
          they order...no surprises."  
   
        This means free discs if that's what their quote says.
        If that is not the case, then the long descriptions and
        BOMs need to change.
   
   We are recommending to Sales Reps in our area that they stop quoting 
   the Infoserver 100 and begin quoting the Infoserver 150 plus the
   original discs immediately.  
   
   We just want them, and you, to be aware of what may potentially
   be a customer satisfaction issue if current quotes are not honored
   and AQS is not fixed to reflect the change.
   
   Regards,
        
   


   
   
                     I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M
   
                                           Date:     31-Oct-1991 10:08am EST
                                           From:     Beverly Sturtevant @ALF
                                                     STURTEVANT.BEVERLY
                                           Dept:     SOUTHERN AREA OMS
                                           Tel No:   DTN 385-2280
   
   TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( nancyfaye autenzio @mko )
   TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( dale rensing @mlo )
   TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( mike lynch @mko )
   TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _ipovax::jdavenport )
   
   CC:  Carol Thompson @ALF                  ( THOMPSON.CAROL )
   
   Subject: WHICH IS RIGHT???                                           
   
     
     WHAT is going on with the Infoserver 150?
     
     We've had several communications regarding the new Infoserver 150
     and the fact that it does not include free discs.  
     
     That was published to Sales in the October 7 Sales Update article.
     
     Today, the long description on AQS for the SEACE-AA specifically
     says 
     
        "CDROM's with Consolidated Distribution, VMS On-Line 
         Documentation Library, DEClearn"
     
     Are they included or aren't they?  We have Sales Reps quoting
     these products and somebody is going to have to honor these
     quotes if we have signed them.
     
     This is an urgent matter for field Sales!
     
     Regards,