Dealerpath a thing of the past?

[aksales]

Hello everyone, its Jason Wilhelm from Alaska Sales and Service, in Anchorage, Alaska again. I was just called by IBM Web Connections regarding them cutting off service on November 30th of this year. Now let me first state that Alaska Sales and Service are not enrolled into Dealerpath, but we do use IBM Web Connections for our facilities. We are also aware that EDS is a reseller of the Web Connections product, resold as Dealerpath. So I guess I am just wondering if anyone knows if IBM is just shutting down sale and support to the end user, or if the entire Web Connections product is being shut down, including Dealerpath. Any quick response will be helpful.


Here is a link to the information I have so far.

http://www-1.ibm.com/businesscenter/us/ ... ll+busines s+centerFEEC

Jason Wilhelm
Alaska Sales and Service
MIS Department
907-265-7589 www.alaskasalesandservice.com

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[This message has been edited by aksales (edited 08-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by aksales (edited 08-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by aksales (edited 08-08-2001).]

[Matt Parsons]

Jason, here is the scoop.

IBM decided a number of months ago to stop selling the Inter Jet (Web Connections) device. This announcement happened soon after the EDS announcement of EDS partnering with IBM for our DealerPath service offering (using the Web Connections offering). We struck an agreement with IBM that provided for continued support of our client base as we migrated to a new 'box' behind the scenes. EDS has selected a new 'web ramp' box to replace the IBM box (interesting enough it is the same box that IBM independently selected to replace their offering). We have been going back to our client base and swapping out the IBM boxes with the replacement device (at no charge to our clients).

EDS is 100% comitted to supporting and offering DealerPath. The good news about the way we structured our offering is that it is a service, not a product, and thus, the dealers that have purchased it from us do not own the hardware. We have a servicing committment to our clients and are responsible for delivering to that level of service. In essence, it should make no difference to our clients what box is being used, as long as we live up to the committment made in the agreement.

Jason, I will ask that Lori Miller (EDS DealerPath Portfolio Manager) contact you to discuss your specific situation (as you purchased directly from IBM) so that you can be fully informed on what IBM has communicated to us. Maybe there is a way to swing your contract over to us and we (EDS) can maintain from this point forward?

Matt