Conference ilbbak::ibi_focus

378.0. "Help with Simultaneous User Facility" by FRITH::ROD (Need Excellent Bar Service!) Mon Oct 29 1990 17:41

	Hi,

	We are looking for an internal resource that we may work with to help
	a customer roll out his new FOCUS application. 

	The customer has a VAXcluster with two VAX 8550's and a VAX 6420. 
	The VAX 6420 is/will be used to run a self-developed 100% FOCUS order 
	entry application.  The 8550's run ASK MANMAN. 

	They will be starting to put this application into production
	next week, and are looking for our help in optimizing performance
	and in selecting the right platform(s) for the future.  They have
	an order for another 6420 due in December, pending the outcome of
	a capacity planning service we are delivering.  The outcome could 
	recommend dual 6520's or maybe a 9000.  

	The application, as I said, is a self-developed order-entry system.  
	It uses the FOCUS Simultaneous User (SU) option, which I understand
	from talking to IBI, utilizes DECnet to handle record/file locking
	to prevent multiple updates.  This is true even when only one
	system is being used.  This seems to have some inherrent performance
	problems.  FOCUS itself is extremely cpu-intensive if I am not 
	mistaken.  

	We will be delivering Performance and Capacity Planning Services to
	them over the next month.  Linda Pitlyk, from St. Louis is at the 
	customer site.  She will be making sure that the system is tuned, 
	and then to start collecting capacity planning data (using DECCP).  

	We have the name of an IBI contact, Emma Schwartz, who is familiar
	with the account.  We intend to work things through
	her, but would like an internal (to DEC) resource whom we might use 
	as a sanity check.  I expect that all activity will be in the form
	of phone conversations with myself, Linda, or the salesperson, Chris
	Coxe.
	
	As an additional factor, the IS director for is a former employee 
	of IBI, and has been with them for over two years running the 
	development project.  That is the reason the application is done 
	100% in FOCUS.  He has made statements, regarding performance, that 
	"an IBM system has no problems with the Simultaneous User mode".  
	We want to prevent any defections.  A resource knowledgeable with 
	both SU and the IBM environment would be a bonus.

	If you have, or know of, such a resource, please respond to me, or
	call me at DTN 442-2064 [(612)851-2064].  Thanks very much for your
	patience, and help.  I tried to get as much info down as I could.

	Thanks again,

	Rod Rehor
	Sales Support, Minneapolis