On the subject of the HP 3000 market, I'm offering this Web site link to an
interview with Lew Platt published in the September 1998 issue of HP
Professional Magazine.
> http:\\www.hppro.com\articles\9299830353pm.html
>
George A. Thompson
Editor in Chief
HP Professional Magazine
> ----------
> From: Glenn J. Koster, Sr.[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 1999 10:13 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: HP to reinvigorate midrange servers
>
> Dear Mr. Shankland,
>
> I appreciate your effort to communicate news regarding the HP 3000 line
> of midrange servers. However, I feel that I must call you to task on
> several different points.
>
> 1. The "HP 3000 servers are part of a decades-old lineage..." is an
> inappropriate description of the HP 3000 line. While the name plate may
> be decades old (approximately 25 years), the technology is only 10 years
> old. You probably don't recall that the HP 3000 was the first of
> platform to embrace the RISC architecture. Since it is also scheduled
> to be among the first to implement the IA-64 chipset, I think your
> statement is misleading.
>
> 2. The HP 3000 line is indeed based on a proprietary operating system.
> But, again, this in only part of the story. The HP 3000 is the most
> complete implementation of the POSIX standard that I had encountered in
> my years of information technology. This, I believe, would make it an
> "open system"...
>
> 3. You attributed a statement to Brad Day of Giga Information Group
> that "the 3000 line will always play second fiddle to the HP 9000
> systems...". I would suggest that you check HP's corporate profits over
> the last couple of years. I believe that the HP 3000 line is the ONLY
> line marketed by HP that has been completely profitable for HP during
> this period. In my opinion, it would seem that the HP 9000 is playing
> second fiddle - not the other way around.
>
> 4. You fail to make any mention of the reliability of the HP 3000
> line. It is consistently one of the most dependable systems available.
> I think that reliability should be a concern for anyone considering
> e-commerce. It would be responsible journalism to make your readers
> aware of this as well when talking about enhancements to a product line
> as stable as the 3000.
>
> 5. Finally, as a loyal 3000 user for nearly 23 years, HP's policy has
> been to consistently deny that there were any plans to ever cancel the
> HP 3000 line. While I recognize that Christine Martino is a marketing
> manager for the 3000 line, I would question this statement. Why would a
> company invest millions in developing the PA-RISC architecture in the
> late 80's only to consider dumping the main product line a few years
> later? It isn't logical. I would be interested to hear how the
> response would have been from someone like David Weld or Harry Sterling.
>
> One of the biggest concerns that the HP 3000 community is the coverage
> of the press. Traditionally, the press had either ignored the 3000 or
> presented it in a negative light... neither response is consistent with
> reputable journalism. Consequently, I am copying this response to the
> HP3000-L listserver. This group is the most knowledgeable group within
> the HP community and would welcome your responses. In addition, I am
> copying this response also to Mr. Sterling and Mr. Wilde in the hope
> that they too will choose to respond.
>
> Sincerely Yours,
>
> Glenn J. Koster, Sr.
>
> ====================================================================
> Please note: The response contained in this e-mail is wholly my
> personal response and does not necessarily reflect that of my
> company nor of HP.
> ====================================================================
> --
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> | | ) | Glenn J. Koster, Sr. [log in to unmask]
> | | ) | Managed Business Solutions http://www.mbsnav.com
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