Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/1999/08/26/how_a_leaked_pesatori_alpha/

How a leaked Pesatori Alpha NT customer letter reads

A bit like the below, we think...

By Mike Magee

Posted in On-Prem, 26th August 1999 22:24 GMT

The following document was forwarded to us and we have no idea as to its veracity. But we do know, for a fact, that Microsoft has pulled the rug on 64-bit NT for Alpha... and the following is a pretty convincing validation of earlier stories, and written in Q style. If Compaq would care to take the time to contact us, we would love to sub the following down into a more palatable form... By the way, we believe this is the real thing. See also: Leaked Compaq Q&A shows level of 64-bit NT Alpha chaos and Microsoft puts boot into 64-bit Alpha NT. Dear Valued Customer, During the past two months, we have taken a close look at Compaq's platform strategy, the needs of our customers and the realities of the marketplace. We concluded that we needed to simplify our strategy and more clearly define our value proposition for you, our customers. As a result, we have decided to focus all of our Windows NT efforts on our Intel-based ProLiant platform, where we have clear leadership and a long track record of innovation. The recent introduction of Compaq's new 8-way ProLiant server demonstrates our ability to deliver Windows NT solutions that meet your needs for performance, scalability, manageability and reliability. We will continue to support customers who have deployed 32-bit Windows NT on Alpha systems for as long as they require. And we will continue to partner with Microsoft on the development of 64-bit Windows NT, which is being developed on Alpha systems. But we will end systems development for all 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT products on Alpha with the delivery of V4 SP6 in late 1999. We recognize the investments that many customers have made in Windows NT on Alpha, and we are committed to protect those investments. In addition to continued support for NT on Alpha, we will offer migration paths to other Compaq platforms. We are completely focused on your satisfaction. I want to emphasize that this decision in no way diminishes our commitment to Alpha. We will continue to invest in Alpha as a core component of our NonStop eBusiness strategy, including next generation Alpha chip technology and a robust Alpha system roadmap. Our plan is to drive Alpha at the high end of the enterprise market, where our strengths in 64-bit platforms, NonStop technology and clustering help you build a competitive advantage. We have already announced an aggressive plan to grow Tru64 UNIX on Alpha in such key markets as high performance technical computing, eCommerce, telecommunications and enterprise applications, among others. We will drive Alpha volumes by leveraging the growth of Linux. We will continue to service and maintain the highest levels of customer satisfaction with our OpenVMS customers. This includes a five-year rolling roadmap for OpenVMS. It also includes a commitment to invest in OpenVMS in the areas of business critical capabilities and software that enables NonStop eBusiness solutions. As we have already announced, Alpha will become the engine for future generations of our Himalaya systems, further extending Himalaya into markets requiring robust 24x7 solutions. The decision to end support for Windows NT on Alpha systems was not an easy one. We know it is important to some of our customers. But we are convinced that this decision is the right one for Compaq and its customers. We will be more focused on a powerful set of solutions that deliver the greatest value for you - from Windows NT on our ProLiant servers and Professional Workstations . . . to Tru64 UNIX and Open VMS on Alpha . . . to NonStop Himalaya. We appreciate your business, and we look forward to building an even stronger partnership with you. Sincerely, Enrico Pesatori Senior Vice President Enterprise Solutions and Services Group Compaq Computer Corporation ...well, that's how it might look and we think it's the real thing. If Compaq's PRs want to repudiate this draft, they can email us at the usual address and we'll report on that one too... ®