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Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

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    Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

    After browsing Alpha's web site and message board for a while, I'm coming to the conclusion that I must be the only one who feels misled (at best) by the marketing strategy for the new release. I�ve been a highly satisfied Alpha customer for nearly ten years, and although my purchases have been limited to small numbers, I�ve continually upgraded over the years through several versions of the DOS-based program and in recent years the Windows platform.

    About a year ago I received a mailer indicating that if I were to upgrade our company�s (3-user) Alpha Five version 4 package to version 4.5, that our company would receive a free upgrade to version 5, when released. Even though, as with past employers, my company is Micro$oft based and it has been difficult to make non-standard purchases. To date, I�ve been able to convince them that Alpha can satisfy some of our needs, better.

    I recently received a call from Alpha concerning the release of version 5. I eagerly returned the call knowing that we had already �purchased� the product, but I was informed that the mailer did not state that the 4.5 => 5.0 upgrade was free, but rather the difference paid for the previous upgrade would be applied towards the cost of version 5. Although I no longer have the mailer in question, there are several in my office who remember it giving the impression that if we were to purchase the 4.0 => 4.5 upgrade, we would receive the 4.5 => 5.0 upgrade at no cost. In fact, this was the main selling point to my supervisor for needed justification upgrade the non-standard database software.

    Even though we feel we are not receiving goods previously purchased, the upgrade cost of the high-priced version 5, less the difference of the previous upgrade price, exceeds our $500 spending limit and is, therefore, out of the question. I�m afraid I�ve lost the ability to keep Alpha as a database solution for many of my company�s needs. I�m surprised that I seem to be the only one who remembers receiving this promotional offer, yet cannot find any reference to it.

    --Robert-->

    #2
    RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

    I sympathize with you, however, I recall specifically that the "deal" was that what you paid for 4.5 would be applied to v5. Not a "free" upgrade. As for the v5 acquisition cost, I can tell you that the time you will save utilizing it and developing in it, will MORE than offset the "net" cost after rebate. Just my thoughts.

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

      Ditto to John,

      What you might want to try is take a simple small app and do it in access or other product, then do the same thing in A5v5. Based on your hourly rates you can easily determing whether A5 is worth it. If you can do it faster or better in Access, go for it, if not Alpha may not be so expensive in the long run. This is especially true if you have networked users and purchase the runtime.

      Russ

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

        I am sorry that you feel misled, but the material on the upgrade notice for V4.5 was clear.

        It said that the cost of the V4.5 upgrade was EFFECTIVELY free becasue the cost of the V4.5 upgrade could be credited in full toward the cost of the V5 ugrade.

        It did not say that V4.5 was free, or that V5 was free.

        We are doing exactly what we said we would do. I.e. rebating the cost of the V4.5 upgrade in full.

        V5 represents a huge development effort on the part of Alpha. To expect that we would be able to give it away for free after you purchased a $79 V4.5 upgrade is entirely unreasonable.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

          Robert,

          I just had to answer you about the cost of A5V5. I too, have been a long time used of Alpha (DOS) and most of its upgrades, along with alpha 5 (several vers). In fact, I use A4V7 and A5V5. I did purchase A5V4.5, with the understanding the purchase price of V4.5 would be applied fully to V5. No where did they say V5 would be free after purchasing V4.5. I'm sorry, but you just read the Add wrong. I still have several advertisments from the V4.5 to
          V5. They ALL say the price of V4.5 would be applied toward the purchase of V5.........
          Dan Earley

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

            Sorry Robert. You mis-read or misunderstood the promotional. What the others here are saying is 100% correct. Alpha never said ver. 5 would be free in any way, shape or form.

            Peter
            Peter
            AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

            [email protected]
            https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


            Comment


              #7
              RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

              Robert,

              I'll add my 'ditto' to the others. All the material I ever received talking about purchasing V4.5, said that the purchase price of V4.5 will apply fully to V5, thereby making the V4.5 upgrade effectively free. My memory is somewhat less than perfect, but I never saw (or remember seeing) anything saying that the V5 price would be free.

              Dave
              Dave Jampole
              www.customalpha.com

              Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                Hi Robert,

                Along with what's already been said, I can assure you that if you received a flyer stating that v5 upgrade would be FREEif you purchased v4.5, others would have received it as well. Had there been an offer of a FREE upgrade to v5, it would have been mentioned a long time ago by the eagle eyes on this board.

                I also am a long time alpha user but nowhere have I ever seen any reference to a free upgrade of v5. Alpha has not misled you.

                kenn
                TYVM :) kenn

                Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                  I hear some dealerships wanted Ford to offer a free upgrade to the '61 model to boost sluggish sales of the '60 Edsel.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                    OK I need to vent.

                    I understand that we might see things in our mind that overrides what we actually see .. it happens to me all the time. I do know specificlly that the deal was "Buy V4.5 and get a credit on V5" Reason: Alot of Alpha customers wanted to use alot of the enhancements right away and not wait for the full development of V5. I myself waited for V5 and then bought it.

                    My biggest problem here, however, is simply this. I have been a Alpha customer since 1993 and have used this board since it was created. It is a wonderful tool for all of us to help out each other when we can.

                    I am so tired of seeing all these threads that contain nothing but complaints and put downs. Whats the gain in posting complaints?? Why not contact Richard, Selwyn or one of the other wonderful people at Alpha that is always more then willing to try and resolve any issue you might have. There is no reason I can see to post your complaints here, except to try and pressure Alpha into a decission that would normally be in your favor just to stop the bad and 99% of the time inaccurate information being posted ....

                    OK There I feel better now .... I don't mean to offend anyone .. this is just my feelings ... if I did I am sorry

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                      Scott

                      It is a valid point that you make. This forum is wonderful for the help and support it provides for making the most of Alpha 5 and Alpha 4 in all it's variants.

                      It is a crying shame that all of the great people that give their time and help to others with techie problems are being diverted into defending Alpha Software but........ it is also very gratifying to see so many people stand up and be counted with this. It kinda gives me a sense of comfort that this REALLY is THE right RDBMS software to be using.

                      My suggestion would be that if someone is clearly misusing the forum for all the wrong reasons the best course of action is to ignore them! Which is exactly what I have failed to do by responding in this thread :-)

                      Anyway back to the real business of using the software!

                      Regards

                      Glen Schild (UK)
                      Glen Schild



                      My Blog

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                        Barry

                        I�m sorry you feel MISLED. But I too read all the stuff and I think it is more a case of MIS-READ.

                        Also if your company has a top budget of $500, then go to a freeware database � this is not a rude comment, but a practical suggestion if you feel you need a cheaper product.

                        Sorry if this sounds rude and I�m sure if it appears so, I�ll be told off by you and the (polite) Alpha community.

                        I know in my business I can�t keep all the customers happy all the time. Personally I�m happy to loose the misinformed discontents; but you have been a user for many years and must have enjoyed A5 with its abilities and support.
                        Why not admit your interpretation of your $50 spend was your error, and now pay what it is worth.

                        Please leave your comments

                        Regards, Helen

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                          Oops
                          Sorry Barry whoever I was thinking of.

                          THIS is to you ROBERT STOCK!

                          Regards, Helen

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                            Sorry it is felt that I "clearly misused the forum" to gain information from other Alpha customers. I think the thread subject was clear enough for others to ignore it if it was of no concern to them. My post was not intended to offend or attack Alpha software, but simply to make sure there weren't others who "misunderstood" the deal, or that I wasn't being mislead.

                            As stated, I had contacted Alpha directly, before the post, but I wanted verification that my coworkers and I "misunderstood" the mailer. Believe me, I had no intentions of "pressuring" Alpha as I seem to have been accused, nor do I expect something for nothing! However, if my company was entitled to something it had already paid for, then a post to a user's forum seems appropriate to ensure that there weren�t others who knew what I was referring to.

                            I'm not quite sure why my post was so offensive that some felt jabs/flames were necessary. I'm simply disappointed at an apparent "misunderstanding" that my office had concerning an upgrade that sounds terrific, but one that we will not be able to acquire. After nearly ten years, it�s going to be difficult to not have the current power, speed, and ease of Alpha at my business.

                            Thanks for the replies, no more are needed (especially flames).
                            --Robert -->

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Alpha Five v5 Upgrade Mis-Information

                              Robert,

                              When I read your post, I did not take it as a gripe but a legitment concern, one that I believe you had every right to post in order to see if there were others who saw it the same way you did.

                              I believe some of the replies to your post are unwarranted and were based on their understanding. Thus, they saw something that wasn't really there.

                              I wish you the best and you're always welcome back.

                              kenn
                              TYVM :) kenn

                              Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                              Comment

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