Lynn,
 
In an email I received today from Mike Hart he said,  
"For the record, DBA has no special arrangement with any third party vendor
in regards to providing updates or support for our product."
 
What's that supposed to mean? ???

I don't know what everyone else is thinking, but we started with ISTS believing that our days with DBA's support process were just about done. I've seen their new product and it looks much to complicated for our business needs. Plus, my president almost croaked at the thought of re-training everyone.
 
We're planning to install the Evolution overlay soon. It's what we were hoping for since we started using the software.
 
In our meeting this morning everyone agreed that the most significant support always came from Lynn Pantic. If sticking with ISTS means moving further away from DBA's support team - that's a No-Brainer for us.
 
(Too rah-rah? - So what. If it's good - it's good!)

When you purchase IS Tech Support, does the unsued portion roll over to the next month if you have unused time

How can my company go about purchasing a support package. Preferably the bronze support?

From the DBA website (copied below), indications are the friendly relationship indicated earlier between ISTS and DBA no longer exist, and you have parted company.  It seems users are at a serious crossroads. ???  
 
Is there any pending request or legal action to deter those of us who are undecided from choosing EVO?  At some point in the future, DBA will probably cease to be supported by the company moving to ezijobz.  Will you be legally hampered by trademark/ownership issues from continuing to develop and support whatever hybrid of DBA exists at that point in time?
 
Overall, we are just frustrated to be in this position and are looking for reassurance that you will be able to continue to provide support and updates should we move in that direction.
 
Thanks,
Shannon
 
Shannon Knapp
Network/Data Mgr
North East Machine & Tool
Janesville, IA
 
 
from http://www.dbasoftware.com/techsupport/ts_faq2.htm#14
 
We've had numerous complaints and reports from customers in regards to receiving unsolicited e-mails from a company named IS Tech Support.   It is our belief that a former employee, Lynn Pantic, is using our customer e-mail list to promote her new company.  Our lawyers have demanded that Lynn stop making unauthorized use of our customer list.  It is not our policy to give out our customer list to third parties.  
 
If you continue to receive unsolicited e-mails, please forward such e-mails to sales@dbasoftrware.com so that we can take remedial action.
 
Without our approval, Lynn is promoting a product from Business Tools named TAS6evolution that replaces the core of our product, the TP5WDBA.EXE engine.  She claims on her web site that this product "complies with all DBA licensing agreements."  Our lawyers take a contrary position and have formally demanded that IS Tech Support cease and desist selling TAS6evolution.  TAS6evolution is not an add-on product, but a replacement product.  Permission to replace the core component of our system has not been given to IS Tech Support or Business Tools.   TAS6evolution raises a number of legal issues, including possible copyright infringement and interference with supplier-customer contractual relationships.  Use of TAS6evolution is not granted by our license.  If you have purchased this product, we advise you to return it.
 
Are there new versions of DBA being developed by third parties?
 
Not with our permission, approval, or support.  Any such products are a violation of the DBA end-user license agreement.  The license specifically does not allow the DBA product to be translated or converted into another programming language, nor does it allow derivative works to be produced.  The open source code can be modified, but no permission is granted to modify or replace those portions of the system where source code is not provided, such as the TP5WDBA.EXE engine.  
 
Our open source code policy is intended to allow customers or third parties to modify our programs for special requirements or to create add-on products that add value to the base product.  By and large it has served these purposes well over the years.  However, it was never intended to allow others to promote any type of new version or derivative of DBA.  In protection of our trademarks and intellectual property rights, we will take vigorous action to stop any such products and to protect against misuse of the DBA name.  
 
Even though we are bringing out our new product, Ezijobz, this summer, this does not mean that we are abandoning DBA.  We will continue to maintain its application programs, provide technical support, and furnish additional user licenses.  Third parties are welcome to create add-on products and offer services that enhance the value of the base product.  We have no plans, however, to rewrite or convert DBA into some other technology because we have already addressed such concerns with our investment in Ezijobz, a product we are giving free to all our customers.