software-only issues

[Steven Moody <smoody@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I think many of us would benefit from an on-list discussion of the pros and 
cons of going software only, especially the cost effectiveness.  I'm sure 
many of us are considering these issues now because of the necessary 
upgrades relative to Silver.  In our case, we just can't afford a new 
server at the price we are getting from III and we are hoping that we would 
be able to swing it by going the software-only route.

I have searched the previous discussions and only discovered 
recommendations relative to the degree of UNIX knowledge of the IT support 
and some positive comments on the III support.

We have pretty knowlegable IT support and they (of course) would prefer to 
be running the show as much as possible.  Our III server is currently 
outside the firewall because of their concerns and this has caused all 
sorts of complications in setting up printers etc.

What we would like to know is, has anyone made major cost savings by going 
software-only or does it end up costing the same in the long-run?  The 
information I've gotten on CSDirect seems neutral -- are there negative 
effects relative to support from III?

thanks for any help.

Steven Moody



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steven Moody                               smoody@xxxxxxxxxx
Library Systems Manager               http://library.jfku.edu
Robert M. Fisher Library                 phone: 925-969-3110
John F. Kennedy University
100 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill CA 94523-4817