I disagree with one point that Brett makes. His advice is not all
that self serving. It has become common for HP3000 system
management to be laid off after their system is retired. I see quite
a few competent people lose their jobs even though they thought
their position was secure i.e. they had other duties, they were
friends with the owner, affirmative action, etc. Using a TPM company
to improve reliability and reduce costs takes off some of the
pressure to retire that old HP3000 that works well and is paid for.

Bob J. (27 years with HP3000 hardware support) -- Ideal Computer Services
http://www.icsgroup.net


Brett Forsyth - CTS Arizona wrote:

>Well Dave, an interesting question.  
>
>Like most of the people wrapped around 3000 support, we are finding the pool 
>getting smaller and our geography getting larger.  Your interest in third party 
>support, yet your unwillingness to go there now, might very well mean it will 
>not exist when you need it later on down the road.  HP's support product has 
>been good for you probably because you have not had to use it - the HP CE's 
>are not what they used to be, and most of the real talent is out in the third 
>party market now. No interest in saving cash?  Most third party companies will 
>reduce your rates by at least 30-50%, and provide upgrades and other 
>services at drastically reduced costs.  This is, after all, what we do.
>
>Most of us in third party support geared up for HP leaving the marketplace 
>back in '07.  All the users cried, but HP said they were gone - end of story.  
>Then they changed their tune... again and again and again.  Why leave when 
>the golden goose is still alive and producing?  Perhaps pressure from large 
>corporations that were not given enough time to migrate, migration paths that 
>did not work - even for HP themselves - still a large client for the HP3000.
>
>My suggestion - find a good third party maintanance (TPM) company now, and 
>start supporting them so they will still be around to support you.  It may 
>sound a little self serving, but expecting us to wait (and starve) until HP finally 
>decides they have pillaged enough, may find most of us gone when you need 
>us.
>
>Old (experienced) HP CE's are out there in the third party world, and they 
>have years and years of experience - myself for example - 27+ years 
>supporting the 3000 - yup, started on the Series III.  Try to find that at HP 
>anymore - and if the guy is still a CE after 25+ years - ask why?
>
>One mans opinion, but it mine and I like it.
>
>Here is the CTS pitch - 100% parts, 100% availability, 100% of the time.
>
>We can't rely on HP to bale us out if we get into a situation, so we have 
>provided all the required resources for ourselves.  Yes - all of them.
>
>One last piece of advice - check your TPMs references.  I am amazed that 
>users sign on with critical system support and never check parts supply, 
>personnel, references, and the like.  This is why horror stories exist.  Not all 
>TPMs have the same commitment level to support, and some figure they will 
>never have to go down the rabbit hole.  Others of us are prepared.
>
>Enough said - perhaps this will start a conversation. 
>
>Have a great day
>Brett J Forsyth
>CTS Arizona
>602.315.6018
>www.cts-hp.com
>
>* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
>* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *
>
>
>  
>

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *