Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!lavaca.uh.edu!jetson.uh.edu!cosc4fp
From: cosc4fp@jetson.uh.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apollo
Subject: Re: purchasing the HP/Apollo 9000 series 400 workstations
Message-ID: <6844.26db6eb1@jetson.uh.edu>
Date: 29 Aug 90 12:28:49 GMT
References: <5918@uceng.UC.EDU>
Followup-To: comp.sys.apollo
Organization: University of Houston
Lines: 66

In article <5918@uceng.UC.EDU>, juber@uceng.UC.EDU (james uber) writes:
> Here are some simple tips for others, like me, who are thrust into the 
> world of HP/Apollo workstation sales with little guidance or preparation.
> Some of these comments apply only to University purchases.
> 
> 1. Technical data sheets are helpful, but you should also ask your sales rep
> to provide you with the model 400s and 400t configuration charts.  These
> handy flow diagrams allow you to easily compute the list price of any
> workstation configuration, and to see clearly what your options are.  If you
> are at a University, you can multiply the calculated list price by 0.62 to
> get the standard University discount price.  Beware, however, that HP/Apollo
> sells various "bundled" platforms at a discount.  For example, a monochrome
> 400t w/ 12Mb RAM and 200Mb disk lists at $11,490, but there is an equivalent
> bundle that lists for $10,240.
> 
> 2. The procedure for obtaining the "free" Wingz, Mathematica, and Island 
> Graphics software that are supposedly bundled with the HP/Apollo systems is
> ill-defined.  Do not bother calling the companies, because the person you talk
> to will likely not know about this HP/Apollo promotion.  Your sales rep may not
> know much about it either.  As far as I can tell, this is what to do: a) tell
> your sales rep to include on the quote the necessary items that will give you
> the various software licenses.  These licenses are supposedly like any other
> licenses, and entitle you to media, documentation, and support.  The licenses 
> will cost you about $150 each.  If your sales rep does not know about this,
> then call Apollo Direct @ 800-225-5290 and, somehow, talk to Leanne Giberty
> (the spelling of her last name is based only on how it sounds).  She is very
> nice, and will call your sales rep to fill him/her in.  b) Once you have a
> verbal P.O. number for the order, call Apollo Direct and place an order for
> the software.  The numbers you will need are: ISGR-1000AE-14925 (Island
> Graphics); INFX-1000AE-6990 (Wingz); WOLF-1001AE-140 (Mathematica).  The
> software and the licenses will then supposedly be shipped together.  On the
> subject of software, Interleaf now offers its full technical publishing 
> software (TPS) R4 to Universities for a one time charge of $300 per *platform*
> for documentation and media.  Call Nancy Fisher @ 617-577-9813 X4485 for an
> information package and order forms.
> 
> 3. HP/Apollo offers all its compilers (all proprietary software?) to 
> Universities at a 90% discount.  I mention this to you because my sales rep
> did not know about it.
> 
> 4. You can upgrade the 68030-based 400t and 400s to a 68040 chip for $2000 
> list.  Your sales rep may want to sell you Domain 10.3 (10.2 is shipped with the
> 68030 machines) with the chip for an added $595 list.  After querying my
> sales rep, however, he conceded that the updated operating system cost
> should be included in the 1 yr. software maintenance contract that comes
> with all new purchases.
> 
> 5. If you, like me, want to be as little a system administrator as possible,
> then you may be interested in a $75 HP/Apollo option called "Instant
> Ignition."  With this option, all your software will be loaded at the factory
> as per your specifications.  Supposedly, you just hook up the cables, turn on
> the machine, and presto! - you are prompted for a login.
> 
> 6. University purchasers should be aware of a new HP/Apollo software/hardware
> maintenance program that is supposedly being proposed for educational sites.
> The proposed program would, for something like $10,000/year, provide software
> and hardware support and maintenance for all HP products University-wide.
> The University would need to identify a central site for software
> distribution and board return, and would provide its own technicians
> (trained by HP/Apollo) to service the machines.  This would likely be a
> bargain for many educational sites and, in my view, we should encourage this
> or a similar program from HP.
> 
Are these machines actually shipping?  Our Sales rep doesn't expect one until
the end of the year ... however a Japanese colleague is expecting one in
Spetember.