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Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

Title:	DEC Rdb against the World

Moderator:	HERON::GODFRIND

Created:	Fri Jun 12 1987
Last Modified:	Thu Feb 23 1995
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1348
Total number of notes:	5438

531.0. "Rdb development on PC?" by HGOVC::SIMONYTCHAN (Simon Y.T. Chan, HKSWS) Wed Jan 10 1990 12:21

Hello,

	Again, we are competing with Oracle (on HP).  The
deal is a world-wide network of minicomputers.  The opponent
has an edge with PCs, because applications can be developed
on PCs prior to the delivery of the minicomputers (they have
very tight development schedules), and these applications
can be ported to the minicomputers later very easily. 

	We are likely to lose if we don't address this issue 
properly.  Any ideas or suggestions?

					Regards,
					Simon Chan,
					Hong Kong

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
531.1	Down in oil country....	DPDMAI::DAVISGB	Gil Davis DTN 554-7245	`Wed Jan 10 1990 13:07`	18
	Simon, I spoke with a sales rep in Houston the other day. Her customer had bought into this strategy back a year or so. Oracle sold them on a database "distributed to PC's". Well, a year later, it hasn't worked out as they planned, the databases on the PC's didn't talk to the VAX as they expected and they are using the PC's as terminals... As usual, they are now locked into SQL forms...and screaming over issues such as price, performance (funny how I never hear Rdb customers complaining about price as an issue...) I'll see if I can gather more details for you... Cheers, Gil
531.2	Would SQL/Services help?	LACKEY::HIGGS	In Hans' and Kevin's excellent adventure	`Wed Jan 10 1990 16:19`	0
531.3	Use Portable Tools	CLYPPR::BOOTH	What am I?...An Oracle?	`Wed Jan 10 1990 17:01`	16
	Propose a development tool that runs on both PCs and VAXes. Then Oracle's "advantage" disappears. Then we can use the price and performance advantages of Rdb Runtime at distributed sites. As for the tools, TODAY (which is what HP sells as Allbase/4GL), Focus, PowerHouse, and Cullinet Tools (Supposed to run on PCs) would all address this issue. Then the next issue is how do you tune the databases on different configurations at different sites. We could certainly address that issue as well (if you get my drift). Going with the portable tools will shift the argument, and that seems like the best thing to do. ---- Michael Booth
531.4	Check Versions	HSOMAI::SPARKS	I think, Therefore I am	`Wed Jan 10 1990 17:16`	12
	Also have them check on the versions of ORACLE and SQLforms on each platform. Also the expected port date for each. I think they will find that V6. with the PLSQL and Forms 3. will not be ported on the PC for some time, if ever. Then the development would be with older products not taking advantage of the new products. Also find out how much PC is required to do this, and compare that with a VAX Station, remember we also have a portable development platform, that is compatible with the OS as well as the applications. Of course if they are planning on using existing PC's it will be rougher, but chances are they will have to upgrade the PC's to do the ORACLE development. Glenn Sparks
531.5	Rental-Borrow-or-Steal a VAX	TROA01::NAISH	RDB4ME Paul Naish DTN 631-7280	`Fri Jan 12 1990 03:37`	9
	Wait a minute, what sort of exercise will they have to go through when the mini does arive in consolidating 'x' number of independent developers into a cohesive application. Are there no rental/leasing companies in Hong Kong? We have a number we can call on here in Canada to over come this problem. I had one customer who started to develop on PC's hooked to a VAX and eventually switched all development onto the VAX.