Our management also desired a simple and predictable bill.  I proposed
     a monthly bill based on storage/month and I/O (+ license).  Reason is
     then we don't get into the morality of whether our customers data is
     worth keeping for x days or y versions.  We are going forward with a
     bill with a rate of $.022/mb I/O and $.0022/mb/month storage.
     Customer specifies management classes.  We try to set up management
     classes to meet customer desires/requirements.

     When I explained the moral issues, and how I hoped to avoid the
     religious wars we used to fight in our MF world over these issues, I
     got a bye to proceed.  Billing will start for January processing.

     Too early to know how well this is going to work but the improvement
     in Query Occupancy processing came along at a very good time for us.

     Eric Lewis DoIT-UW-Madison


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Charging schemes
Author:  "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU> at IPNET
Date:    1/8/97 11:06 AM


My management has asked me to come up with a scheme for charging our
users for the use of ADSM.  However, simply charging based on the amount
of storage they are using won't be acceptable. My boss wants a "predictable"
way of charging them, ie. something closer to a flat rate.  My idea was
to establish several levels of service based on the media used, operator
service required, how many inactive copies would be retained, etc.  I
would then set up ADSM pools and copy groups to match each level and charge
users based on the level of service they select.  For example, the
premium level would be the most expensive, but might provide guarenteed,
on demand restores, while the least expensive level would probably go
directly to tape and restores would only be available during certain
hours.

I was wondering if anyone else has taken this type of approach to charging
for ADSM service?  If so, would you send me information on your charging
scheme?  I would appreciate it.  Thanks.

Martha