What a statement:  "Our service provider can't find a replacement anywhere!"  

How many HP 3000 shops are relying on support providers that are incompetent and/or inept?  The provider was willing to take this companies money without even being able to provide reasonable assurance that they had replacement parts in a depot somewhere in the event of failure?  

The economy has recovered a bit and it might be time for everyone to review their support provider and maybe look a little deeper than what they are charging.  In many cases, you get what you pay for.  There are still reputable support providers out there.  Your provider should not be afraid to answer tough questions about their ability to deliver on an SLA.  Response time, parts availability, and legitimate HP SUSAN updates all need to be addressed in advance of signing on the dotted line.  It's one thing to be budget conscious and a whole other to be blinded by it...

Steve Suraci
Pivital Solutions
“The Legacy of MPE/iX and HP 3000 Support”

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