Colleagues, Dave DeMarco and I, with the approval of Dick Miller, have re-opened contract amendment discussions with Oracle. In May 1999, an amendment was prepared that did two things 1) updated the 1997 agreement for current (1999) core products and pricing and 2) added Oracle's application software products (for business systems). As you know that amendment was never executed by SUNY. Our approach to Oracle at this time is to seek an update to the core products through May 2000 and leave the application software products as optional. To assist our negotiating team, we need information on the current inventory of installations of Oracle software, including megahertz of each machine. Accordingly, Penny Wilson of our Contracts Unit has sent a message to all Campus Oracle license contacts, requesting an updated inventory with a one-week turn-around time (Friday, May 12, 2000). I ask your assistance in encouraging your computing center directors to provide this information within the requested timeframe. We feel there is little downside risk in approaching Oracle at this time; and I should warn you our chances of success may be no better than 50/50. Nevertheless, we feel it is in SUNY's interests to make an effort. Special thanks to Ivan, Ken L., Ed K., Chuck G. and others who have been providing counsel on the resumption of discussions with Oracle. We'll keep you posted. Chris Back to SUBOA Homepage