The "FIRST PC" and personal timelines (Was: And what were the80s

From: Bill Pechter <pechter_at_pechter.dyndns.org>
Date: Fri Apr 23 12:18:42 1999

> This "#_at_$&*() bull," was part of the party line presented by a DEC sales
> team at a presentation I attended about fifteen years ago, on behalf of one
> of the "systems integration contractors" their policies were designed to
> support. The presenters routinely referred to their clever position in the
> government market in the terms I used.


Considering I worked at DEC in 81-86 and we sold DIRECT to Fort Monmouth
I think that statement was misleading.

DEC sold stuff via OEM's who often did system integration with NON-DEC
hardware and software and packaged systems with specialized requirements.
I remember a Martin Marietta special 11/70 in tempest cabinets with special
requirements -- but that was not common.

A large number of the DEC stuff was sold through government contractors
because they could get machines under blanket agreements without
some of the government procurement restrictions and approvals.

DEC got sued (and settled with the govt) because of the following issue:

GSA got higher pricing from DEC than Ma Bell on their Vax orders.

GSA also required installation, insurance, and warranty differences
in their negotiations for government pricing... I know -- I was dedicated
as an installation specialist in 81 when both Bell Labs and Fort Monmouth
were buying large amounts of Vax and DEC stuff.

The GSA claimed the DEC prices for AT&T were lower than GSA prices
which is not allowed. DEC claimed they weren't for the same configuration
and services (which was true).

Ma Bell paid for insurance as a line item and either installed the machines
themselves and self insured or did away with insurance.

(The govt didn't accept FOB coverage -- you sue the trucking company
for damages. DEC had to process any warranty and go against the delivery
company. You should see what an 11/780 looks like after it's been dropped
off a loading dock. Card cages were smashed. H7000 power supplies where
the card cages were. Doors bent in half. That machine was repaired
and was still running 4 or 5 years ago.)

DEC settled rather than fight the government in court on this one.

Bill
Received on Fri Apr 23 1999 - 12:18:42 BST