here's more on the Alpha NT story, this time apparently from an Alpha marketing person (does not say who but the speaker says "As the person responsible for the marketing, I can assure you that I am getting the corporate support for doing that." Note no talk about the MSFT issues in this Q&A...
Q&A: Compaq explains move to drop NT for Alpha
By Jaikumar Vijayan
Q: Why did Compaq drop Windows NT on Alpha?
A:There were several factors involved in the decision. We were not seeing a lot of business from a combination of NT on Alpha. Over the last five or six years, there have been considerable advances in 32-bit Intel architecture as evidenced in our eight-way ProLiant servers. Alpha really didn't have a performance advantage over Intel in a 32-bit [space]. The other aspect, quite frankly, is the push from our partners and customers to simplify our platform strategy.
Q: What are you doing to help customers affected by the decision?
A: We have a very extensive set of migration programs being put in place. Depending on the system, [customers] have the option of running a different operating system on the same platform or taking advantage of attractive options to replace their current systems with a ProLiant server or Intel-based workstation. We will also be providing ongoing support through Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 to allow users to continue using their current systems.
Q: What kind of migration programs and options?
A: If a customer has an Alpha server running NT, we will offer them a free license to Tru64 Unix, OpenVMS or Linux -- where it is validated on Alpha servers. The other thing we will do is offer trade-ins with various discounts depending on how long [customers] have had those systems. There will be different scenarios. In some cases, customers will get free trade-ins.
Q: Have these plans been communicated to customers yet?
A: Yes. We are communicating through a program office in each of our key geographies. Teleconferences are being held with our salespeople to ensure that they have the right information. We also have a customer letter that is available for our salespeople to send to their customers.
Q: So why hasn't Compaq still made any public announcement relating to NT on Alpha?
A: Some information leaked out through unofficial channels before we were prepared to make an announcement. These things happen, and then we have to deal with it.
Q: Customers remain concerned about the future of Alpha, though Compaq keeps saying that it remains fully committed.
A: I can say that Compaq is strongly behind promoting our entire Alpha server line. As the person responsible for the marketing, I can assure you that I am getting the corporate support for doing that. With the recent changes in the organization, we have our business-critical server division with OpenVMS, Tru64 and Himalaya. It provides a strong focus for our customers with a really strong management team. ... We have had to make some tough decisions ... [but] we have no plans to change our direction with Alpha. We are absolutely, 100% committed to Alpha going forward. There will be increased investments in Tru64 Unix, OpenVMS and Linux on Alpha.
Q: How well has Linux been taking off on Alpha?
A: Linux is a clear volume opportunity for Alpha, and we are seeing a great interest in it. But it in no way diminishes our commitment to Tru64 Unix. Unix is clearly the [enterprise] flagship with Linux as the volume low-end complement. Our strategy with Linux is to ensure that we have some common tools and middleware between Linux and Tru64 Unix so that if our [Linux] customers require a higher level of performance, there is a path for them to Tru64 Unix. |
