CA delivers extensive pricing, packaging and migration benefits for small and medium enterprises

Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA) has announced a collaboration with IBM Corporation for the support of the S/390 Multiprise 3000 Server, allowing mutual clients to select the solutions necessary to expand their businesses. This relationship solidifies CA`s leadership in providing solutions for S/390 systems, database and enterprise management. CA also aligned its licensing with the IBM pricing model for the Multiprise 3000. CA`s unique blend of pricing, packaging and services will help small and medium-sized enterprises grow existing applications and add new workload, as well as promote VSE to OS/390 migrations.

"The Multiprise 3000 offerings represent a whole new paradigm in product packaging, pricing and delivery," said Marc Sokol, CA senior vice president and general manager, global marketing. "It provides our clients added value for their software dollars and enables them to move forward with new business initiatives on a well-managed, reliable platform."

"This collaboration of IBM and CA supporting Multiprise 3000 demonstrates our commitment to our mutual medium enterprise customers by providing them with choices to rapidly apply e business solutions to their mission-critical business challenges," said Brenda Zawatski, IBM, Director of S/390 Marketing.

Highlights include

Support for e-business - Commensurate with IBM`s goal of positioning ERP solutions and e-business on Multiprise 3000, CA is working with IBM to deliver solution bundles, allowing optimum database performance, increased manageability and high availability for these new workloads.

VSE to OS/390 Migration - For clients interested in migrating from VSE to OS/390 on the Multiprise 3000, CA will offer additional systems management and conversion tools in pre-integrated, pre-tested bundles for the Multiprise 3000, with service offerings to expedite the migration and customisation.

Packaging - For the Multiprise 3000, IBM and CA will create and deliver software packages with interoperable and interchangeable components to provide clients with the solutions needed to run and expand their businesses. Clients will benefit from the ease of installation and configuration due to the certification and pre-testing of the solution packages. Through this collaboration, the companies aim to achieve unparalleled satisfaction for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) S/390 customer.

Pricing - CA solutions will be attractively priced to allow businesses to grow without the unexpected and uncontrolled rise of software costs. The packages and products are available through a monthly lease, which includes use of the product, ongoing maintenance and technical support. Enterprise management packages start as low as $6,000.

Clients migrating from VSE to OS/390 on the Multiprise 3000 Server may continue to run their CA VSE solutions and products at no charge during a 36-month transition period in conjunction with special terms for OS/390 solutions. Pricing for these customers is aggressive to encourage the migration to OS/390 without causing undue financial burden on the client.

Delivery - CA will provide products, support, and service for the Multiprise 3000 through direct channels and in conjunction with IBM`s Multiprise 3000 business partners.

"CA`s announcement makes the OS/390 platform much more attractive and easier to cost-justify for my company," said Mike Coleson, application manager for Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), an organisation that provides a unique range of services to students, schools and lenders participating in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program. "Coupled with IBM`s new Multiprise 3000 pricing, we can get a hardware and software solution that is competitive with high-end Unix servers. Additionally, Unicenter TNG finally will allow us to integrate the OS/390 platform with our NT and Unix systems."