My chat with sales (trying to buy Notes)

Well, this started off poorly (see my previous post), and I thought it might continue poorly, as I called the number suggested, and they couldn't help, but sent me to another person, who couldn't help and sent me to a third.  At least the first two calls were fairly quick without either long holds or confusion.

But then I hit gold.  I was sent to a person in Pre-Sales who was terrific.  She understood my questions, then directed me to the exact page I needed, explained what I needed to buy, why I needed the licenses, and how to proceed.  She made sure I knew who to call if I had any trouble with the purchase, with the download or with anything afterwards.  Simply the most efficient and knowledgeable person I have ever dealt with in IBM (outside of the people I actually know).  I was actually glad that they had am optional "one minute survey" afterwards, which I gladly took so that I could rave about how great she was.  I didn't feel the least bit rushed by her, but I think I had all the answers I needed in less time than it took me to fill out the survey.

Unfortunately, I don't know her name, but it was a true pleasure.  Good work, IBM!

What has been said:

877.1. Jan Schulz (13.10.2009 12:58)

Can you say what you need to pay? A person of one doing development and testing (=on a server)?

877.2. Ben Langhinrichs (10/13/2009 01:52 PM)

I am still not 100% certain (since I forgot to ask) whether I really needed to $155 full collaboration license, or could have gotten away with the $109 or $122 (? - I don't remember) levels, but what I went with was:

$155 - Full Lotus Notes license with collaboration + one year support

$159 - Enterprise CAL

----

$314 + appropriate local taxes

From what I understand, the annual renewal is 25%, so $78.50 each year after this.

I have to say, that is an incredible value for what you get out of it as a one person company. It might not be the best deal for a BP doing work with more IBM products, but for a small company of two or three to be able to run the whole company and design applications and such for under a thousand bucks? I guess I have trouble seeing how that isn't a terrific deal.

877.3. Ben Langhinrichs (10/13/2009 02:02 PM)

Incidentally, I looked it up, and here are the part numbers and full descriotions

D0B7HLL: IBM Lotus Domino Enterprise Client Access License Authorized User License + SW Subscription & Support 12 Months ($159.00 + tax)

D5CS2LL: IBM Lotus Notes with Collaboration Authorized User License + SW Subscription & Support 12 Months ($155.00 + tax)

877.4. Christopher Byrne (10/13/2009 04:48 PM)

I am not sure why you needed an Enterprise CAL as well (I am confused by this new process with Designer). Why could express licensing not have worked for you?

You should have told them you were converting from GMAil and you might have gotten a cheaper price?

877.5. Jan Schulz (15.10.2009 19:23)

314$ might not be a lot of money... if you make money from it. All non-profits will habe some other ideas about that amount of money.

877.6. Charles Robinson (10/15/2009 08:16 PM)

Chris, the Enterprise CAL is so he can get access to Domino Designer. It's bundled with the Enterprise CAL.