Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

369.0. "frustrated RDB sales support guy" by LOMBRD::BOND_RU () Tue Jun 20 1989 20:54

    I'm at the hight of frustration and need some advice!! I've worked
    for some time now to get RDB sold into a regional office of an
    international company here in the Bay area. These folks are so enthused
    about RDB that they have proposed it to their corporate headquaters
    in England. I'm especially proud of this deal because we beat out
    ORACLE in a fairly heated competition right here in their back yard.
    
    However it now appears that the adoption of RDB as a corporate standard
    is being jeapordized by our own DEC sales rep in the U.K.. This
    person has disclosed to the customer that a re-write of RDB is
    underway, and that any code developed for RDB will likely need to be 
    thrown out when the new product is announced within two years. Frankly
    I'm pretty upset.
    
    First off its my understanding that the project in question is not
    to be discussed with customers. And secondly it appears that this
    particular rep is on ORACLE's side (Oracle is continueing the battle
    in the UK). Thirdly it is my understanding that any new project
    would continue to depend on DSRI (yep I know DSRI might be modified).
    
    My question is this; Does anyone know how to escalate a problem
    like this one ( I think someone ought to fire the sales rep if the
    story is true). Does anyone know who the "VIA" software presales
    person is in the UK (the one who would support this kind of effort)?
    Can anyone tell me who to coordinate with to insure that we get
    reasonable representation for RDB during Database standard decision
    meetings which are taking place at the customer site in England
    this week?
    
    I will be happy to provide all details on the customer and situation
    via EMAIL or ALLIN1. Please respond to this note or send EMAIL or
    allin1 mail to:
    
    LOMBRD::BOND_RU or Russ Bond @SZO
    
    Thanks for any help Regards,
    
    Russ
     

    maybe you should post this in the NOVA::RDB notes file. Product
    management may be able to guide you also.
    
    John.

    The UK product manager for VIA and especially Rdb/VMS is Mike Hudgell
    @ RDL. I'm sure he will take this up for you, especially if its
    against Oracle.

    gawd I hate it when stuff like this happens...
    
    The Product Manager for Rdb/VMS is Steve Horn on NOVA::
    

RE: .1

Don't place the note in the RDB conference, since futures (real or imagined) 
should not be discussed therein.  I suggest contacting Product Management 
directly -- Steve NOVA::HORN.

    I am copying this note to CHEFS::VIA_FORUM.
    
    ---- Michael Booth

    
    
    Yes, please send me the details...and yes, copy Mike Hudgell...he is at
    CHEFS::Hudgell and I'm at NOVA::Horn.
    
    I'm, to say the least, not very happy about such an event!
    
    Steve