RE: [nv-l] SNMPv3 - was "Enhancement Requests"

["Barr, Scott" <Scott_Barr@csgsystems.com>]

James, once again for the record let me state how grateful I am that you and Leslie perform the services you do here. Sticking your neck out in the forum on a daily basis has got to have some um, negative consequences from time to time. I have never been unhappy about the response I have gotten from the forum or from support.

 

What IBM doesn't realize is that for smaller customers, like us, we are nearly disconnected from Tivoli representation. Being in Nebraska, I don't even have a Tivoli represenative in my state. I have rarely talked to my tivoli rep because it changes so frequently and the people are totally NetView illiterate. I can tell you that my tivoli rep is very good about selling me ITM licenses. That's about it. Part of the problem is that the marketing/sales reps don't have the broad experience to answer questions about the product family. There are so many tivoli products and many have gone through name changes and repackaging that make it nearly impossible to talk intelligently. (I am still not entirely sure what Tivoili business systems manager does for instance).

 

It is my hope that Mike Odom, or whoever has replaced him and Danielle Ottleyson (that can't be spelled right) or Maria Tyler (sorry if I have that name wrong too) and people who should have an ear listening for this stuff can take input from here as well as through my marketing rep.

 

Thanks again.

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From: owner-nv-l@lists.us.ibm.com [mailto:owner-nv-l@lists.us.ibm.com] On Behalf Of James Shanks
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 8:48 AM
To: nv-l@lists.us.ibm.com
Subject: RE: [nv-l] SNMPv3 - was "Enhancement Requests"

Scott,

As an IBMer, let me just say that no matter how valid nor how emphatically you state your case here, there is no one in IBM who is allowed to answer your charges nor address your long-term concerns on a public forum.  That is company policy dating back decades.

Have you asked your IBM/Tivoli marketing rep to get you a nondisclosure agreement so that you can talk directly with NetView development and the executives who are their seniors?    

Making your case here is not likely to move them.  There are people from other firms who do get IBM's attention, but it typically takes a personal connection.  I see notes from senior executives at least monthly asking what we can do for this customer or that one, with whom they have visited or spoken to.  If you want visibility, then I'm afraid that's what you will have to do.  You will need your own management's backing as well, since they will likely be asked to participate in the discussions.

I hope this helps in some small way towards getting your concerns addressed.

James Shanks
Level 3 Support  for Tivoli NetView for UNIX and Windows
Tivoli Software / IBM Software Group