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4 Replies Last post: May 1, 2009 8:31 AM by rcancilla  
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ArthurAdams
10 posts since
Jun 16, 2008

Apr 29, 2009 4:04 AM

RDi Licencing Query

Next week I will be having my appraisal with my manager when I will be asking him if he would consider purchasing a Rational Developer licence. Before I do this, though, I need to have a few answers for the questions he will inevitably ask. By the way, I am the only System i / RPG developer in our IT department.
  1. How long does the licence last for?
    The description for RDi states "Authorized User License + SW Subscription & Support 12 Months". I have checked the software licencing page and I think IBM mean I can use the software for as long as I need to, but will only be allowed upgrades for 12 months. If a new version is released after the initial 12 months, then we will have to buy a new software licence to get that new release. Is that correct?
  2. Can I install and use the software on 2 machines as long as I am the only user and only use 1 copy at a time?
    I have a PC at work and my own PC at home. Occasionally, I work from home so would need RDi on my home machine as well. Is that allowed or would we need to purchase 2 licences?
  3. I presume that developments in RPG etc will only be supported by an upgrade to RDi. Is that correct?
  4. Does RDi allow me to design printer files? I know it supports display files, but I havent seen anything about printer files. Similarly, does it support CL programming?
  5. Does RDi support columnar RPG? We still have quite a few old programmes that haven't yet been converted to free-format ILE.
  6. I am already using Websphere so asking my manager to buy software to, effectively, do the same job will be quite a hard sell. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why I should be using RDi rather than Websphere?

Many thanks in advance.
Tags: rdi
Click to view rcancilla's profile  
rcancilla
2 posts since
May 21, 2008
1. Apr 29, 2009 8:03 AM Up Image in response to: ArthurAdams
Re: RDi Licencing Query

Arthur

I'm going to give you the URL of our web page on RDI which includes retail suggested list prices. Please use this price as a guide for budgetary purposes but contact your IBM Business Partner or Sales Representative for exact pricing for your company and situation. The URL is:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/awdtools/developer/rdi/

This is a one year license. At the end of one year you will need to buy an annual maintenance and subscription that provides access to support and any upgrades or new releases.

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AndySteele
274 posts since
Jun 10, 2008
2. Apr 29, 2009 8:14 AM Up Image in response to: ArthurAdams
Re: RDi Licencing Query
Hi,

to help with making your case, there are some really good documents by Don Yantzi and others about why to choose RDi e.g. http://www-949.ibm.com/software/rational/cafe/docs/DOC-2976

Andy

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ArthurAdams
10 posts since
Jun 16, 2008
3. May 1, 2009 6:27 AM Up Image in response to: ArthurAdams
Re: RDi Licencing Query

Thanks for your replies so far.

The advantages of using RDi over PDM/SEU etc.are well documented, but when comparing RDi to Websphere, the adavantages are nowhere near as clear. I am aware that Websphere will only be supported until 2010, but if my manager were to suggest that I continued using Websphere until then (and probably beyond that time) what would be the implications?

Also, I know that IBM are no longer enhancing SEU etc., but have they made any suggestions that those programs may be withdrawn some time in the future? On the other hand, will SEU always be available rather like Notepad is on Windows? A difficult question to answer because we don't really know IBM's intentions, but will we continue having to pay maintenance for PDM/SEU etc while also paying maintenance for RDi?

Finally, will installing the software on 2 machines for the same person require 1 or 2 licences? This last question is really important because if I can convince my manager to buy 1 licence, I very much doubt that I could get him to buy 2 licences.

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rcancilla
2 posts since
May 21, 2008
4. May 1, 2009 8:31 AM Up Image in response to: ArthurAdams
Re: RDi Licencing Query
RDi uses IBM's "Authorized User" LIcense. This means that one person may use the machine on multiple machines but only that person may use it and at no time may it be used on multiple machines at the same time. In regards to SEU, it will most likely be around as a "text editor" for many years to come, but the language support has been stablized. You will find that many of the new features of V6R1 RPG may not be supported and future enhancements to the compilers are definitely not supported.

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