February
20, 1998Dear Sybase Customer,We are writing to let you know about our plan to
end support for the MDI Database Gateway for DB2, AIX version 2.03, replacing
it with the DirectConnect for MVS, version 11.1.1. In addition, we also plan to
end support for the MDI Access Server for DB2-CICS version 2.03 and all prior
versions, replacing it with any combination of the following three products:
Mainframe
Connect for DB2/MVS-CICS version 11.1.1.
Open Server
Connect for CICS, version 3.1 (or higher)
Open Client
Connect for CICS, version 3.2 (or higher)
Customers under
active support contracts are entitled to upgrade their current licenses to the
above new ones at no cost.Support will continue for existing licenses through
February 20, 1999, at which time we will stop accepting support calls on the Database
Gateway for DB2 as well as the Access Server for DB2-CICS versions 2.03 and 2.05
and all prior versions. New Product Benefits
The DirectConnect for MVS is a gateway server that provides access to MVS applications
and data from an open systems, distributed computing environment. The DirectConnect
is compatible with your existing Database Gateway applications and therefore leverages
your investments in RSPs, Transfer and other unique features of your current products.Additionally,
the DirectConnect for MVS has added a number of new features designed to help
you better cope with increasingly complex computing systems and an increasing
demand for new applications. The new features help you simplify your data access
architecture allowing you to better leverage your investment in existing systems.
DirectConnect for MVS 11.1.1 provides the following key new features:
Improved
performance and scalability - get more out of your applications.
Improved
systems management - a single console manages all your gateways, and several
key new features greatly enhance support for production applications
More platforms
-- deploy to AIX, HP, Solaris or Windows NT
Broader
network support - leverage TCP/IP as well as APPC for mainframe connectivity
A re-vamped
architecture - that has allowed customers to consolidate multiple gateways
simply and easily
We have also
added a number of interoperability enhancements in this release:
Improved
access to distributed data through OmniConnect -- more performance, a query
governor, long transaction support and many other enhancements
Expanded
support for Microsoft SQL Server, including full support for newer datatypes
Support
for web applications through DirectConnect's support of jConnect for JDBC
and PowerDynamo
Replicate
LAN data into DB2 using Replication Server and DirectConnect
Integrate
your data mart with existing systems through Adaptive Server IQ and DirectConnect
EOL
Product License Information
The specific product upgrade information is as follows:26861
Database Gateway for MVS (AIX)
New Product
Name
PID
OS
Notes
DirectConnect
for MVS v11.1.1 (or above)
26770
AIX
26820
Access Server for MVS
New Product
Name
PID
OS
Notes
Open
Client Connect for CICS v3.2 (or above), AND/OR
19320
MVS-CICS
Customers
are entitled to each of these products.
Upgrade gateway licenses as well
Open
Server Connect for CICS v3.1 (or above), AND/OR
19300
MVS-CICS
MainframeConnect
for DB2/MVS- CICS v11.1 (or above)
26875
MVS-CICS
Sybase will allow
simultaneous licensing for both the MDI Database Gateway and DirectConnect for
the period of testing and migration. Once DirectConnect has been moved over to
a production environment, all licensing will be transferred over to DirectConnect
and licensing for the MDI Database Gateway will be terminated. For more information
about licensing, please call 1-800-8SYBASE .Migration
Assistance
We realize that critical business and competitive factors -- such as Year 2000
issues - command the attention of your IT departments, and that migration is not
as simple as ordering a new product. Therefore, for the period of one year from
the date of this letter, Sybase will offer a special package of education and
services to help you migrate to the new products. This standard migration package
includes:
DirectConnect
for MVS Classroom Training (one student)
On-site
professional services (five days)
Customers
who wish to take advantage of this offer will receive the consulting services
as well as the class for a discounted fee of $9,715. For more information regarding
Sybase education and the DirectConnect training class, please refer to the web
page; Sybase
Eductaion
There are several alternative migration paths available to you:
The upcoming
(Q2) release of Open Server Connect will allow you to connect to MVS with
no gateway required. This "gateway-less" release of Open Server Connect,
version 4.0, is available at no charge to Access Server customers.
The upcoming
(Q2) release of DirectConnect for DRDA, version 11.5, will provide access
to DB2 without requiring any host code from Sybase. This product has features
that may be more or less suitable depending on specific customer requirements.
Note that the DirectConnect for DRDA is not a no-charge upgrade.
Recent enhancements
to OmniConnect make it a powerful alternative for advanced data access requirements.
Customers
using InfoHub in conjunction with the MDI Database Gateway for MVS should
call 1-800-8SYBASE for more detailed information regarding support.
For assistance
in choosing a migration path or any other migration questions, please visit our
web site: http://www.sybase.com .
You may also call our support hotline at 1-800-8SYBASE where one of our knowledgeable
Customer Support representatives can answer your questions, process your order
for your upgrade or direct your call to another department for assistance. Outside
the U.S. and Canada, dial (+) 510-922 3555 or your local Sybase office. Thank
you for your support in this effort. We believe you will be impressed with the
additional functionality of the new products and we encourage you to take advantage
of our offer by February 20, 1999. We have trained technical support staff ready
to help you with migration and support.Sincerely,
