Lyle,
Great post. It reminds me of why I need to check my assumptions once in a while. My oeprating assumption with ZITL is that I assume the perfect CFO, I?S maanger and CEO. In other words, the people who decide how much old COBOL data is mission critical and how much isn't will be willing to plunk down alot of money for the best solution in the shortest period of time.
Of course, these people are human. Some will try to avoid it, some will look for a jerry-rigged solution, and some will do the thing piecemeal. ACcording to an IBM study in 3.95, 60% of executives will put off the problem until 1998, 80% will put off the problem between 98-99. In a panic and without enough cash, they may avoid the Z/MD solution,. So what if Z/MD has the best solution? Beta was the best format and the Mac OS is still the best, but look where those products are now!
THere are alot of jerry-rigged solutions out there, like DDIMs sliding window technique. THis is a procedural method that is less expensive. M-D offers a data oriented approach, which is much more expensive.
Having said this, I am of the firm belief that there is plenty of money to be made by alot of the players in this field. None of the people I know who are long on Zitel belief that M-D will capture the whole market. A suite of y2k solutions will be offered. DDIM, VIAS and Zitl will all make money.
What kind of engineer are you? Computer engineer? If you are the latter, give Ken long of Business Records Corporation a call. You can talk turkey with him. His number is at the BRC website (www.brcp.com).
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