文章基本信息

标题：A user-eye view of the VAX/VMS base: strategies and intentions - survey of computer end-users
期刊名称：Computer Industry Report
印刷版ISSN：0889-082X
出版年度：1992
卷号：April 17, 1992
出版社：International Data Corporation

A user-eye view of the VAX/VMS base: strategies and intentions - survey of computer end-users

Transitioning Digital's base of VAX/VMS users to Alpha-based products will be anything but easy, according to IDC's recent survey of U.S. users (see the Gray Sheet 27;8, 2/28/92). The survey of 1,600 end users highlights the following facts about the VAX/VMS user base's buying plans and IT intentions:

Biggest Challenges

When questioned about their greatest IS challenges, VAX VMS users are generally happy with the technology they're using although they feel the need to manage their computing resources more closely:

* Almost 40% of VAXVMS sites indicated that "integrating central and end-user resources" was their most important IS challenge, 10 percentage points higher than any other host environment (senior system at the site) group.

* But at least they're wiling to pay for it. Only 26.9% felt that controlling costs was the most important challenge (compared to 36.6% of IBM 370 sites).

* In addition, VAX VMS users already feel their system are close to being state-of-the-art. Only 26.0 % felt that their most important challenge was "migrating to more modern platforms."

Interest in a Unix Strategy

On the other hand, the threat from Unix is very real. Almost one-third (22.8%)of the VAX/VMSbase is pursuing a Unix-oriented strategy. Another 6.8% is considering pursuing a Unix-oriented strategy.

To Centralize or Decentralize?

VAX/VMS sites are less satisfied with their current mix of centralized/decentralized resources. Digital users are moving to larger hosts in greater numbers than any other host site (12.0%), trailed closely by other Unix sites.

Use of PCs

VAX/VMS sites are currently using twice as many Macintoshes, proportionately, than any other host sites. Approximately 16.3% (weighted) of PCs in use at VAX/VMS sites are Macs. The next highest concentration of Macs, at IBM/PCM 370/390 sites is only 6.9%.

In addition, VAX/VMS sites are actively moving toward purchasing more Macintoshes. About 8.6% of VAX/VMS sites are actively increasing their commitment to Macs,well above the next closest host site. In addition, of sites that have standardized on a single PC operating environment, none has coalesced around the Mac with the force that VAX/VMS sites have.