From: R.KITTREDGE@MD-B.Prime.COM (Roland Kittredge - Marketing 620-2800 x4666, 508)
Subject: Customer Letter From Kathy Cote
Reply-To: Info-Prime@Blx-A.Prime.COM
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 20:49:16 GMT

                           PrimeService
                     500 Old Connecticut Path
                       Framingham, MA 01701


August 25, 1992


Dear Valued Customer:


Over the last two weeks, we've talked with many of you by phone, by mail,
and face-to-face, about the recent changes at Prime.  Over and over, the
same questions and issues have been presented, and I'd like to take this
opportunity to address some common concerns.

By far, the most pressing of these concerns are: product availability and
ordering procedures; the continuation of service and support, particularly
spares availability and software support; ongoing bug fixes and
enhancements to PRIMOS and Prime INFORMATION; the future of PI/open; our
UNIX strategy and conversion/migration programs; and the financial
stability of PrimeService and Computervision Corporation.

I will discuss each of these areas in as much detail as I can for you and
present our overall strategy to protect the investment that you have made
in Prime products.

Product availability:
====================
As long as our customers have the need for current Prime products, we will
provide them.  That's the bottom line, plain and simple.  We have a
considerable number of systems, upgrades, and peripherals in inventory,
and expect to be able to meet projected customer demand.

   Demand for product can and will be met, as long as the demand exists.

Today, all products may be ordered through Sales and/or Telemarketing --
just as you have been doing all along.  We expect that a revised Sales
ordering process will be introduced within the next thirty days and we
will have our local PrimeService offices work with you to ensure a smooth
transition to this process.

Continuation of service and support:
===================================
I can assure you that there will be no interruption or any changes in the
quality of the service and support that we've provided for the last twenty
years.  Over $600 million in size, PrimeService has grown to become one of
the top 20 service companies in the world, according to Ledgeway/
Dataquest, a leading service industry research group.  We offer one-stop
shopping for systems, software, networking, conversion/migration, and
value-added products and services and can manage and maintain your entire
computing environment.  Our capabilities and value extend well beyond the
simple board swap offered by most third-party service companies.  And we
are here for the LONG TERM.

Contrary to rumor, spares availability is not an issue whatsoever.  Well
before the recent Prime announcements, Service had forecasted spares needs
for our 50 Series installed base and made significant investments in parts
inventory.  We can state with confidence that there is enough inventory to
cover your spare parts needs worldwide and there is no time limit to our
ability to service your current equipment.  Furthermore, this commitment is
applicable to all Prime products, including the older 50 Series machines.

Support for 50 Series software products and layered products will continue
without interruption.

Ongoing bug fixes and enhancements to PRIMOS and Prime INFORMATION:
==================================================================
A very important but little known fact is that over a year ago, full
responsibility for Prime software R&D was transferred to Service.  All of
the engineering resources devoted to bug fixes, enhancements, and new
revisions for PRIMOS and PI have been part of PrimeService since that
time, and are unaffected by the recent announcement.  Bug fixes and
enhancements for PRIMOS and PI are continuing as planned, and details
about upcoming releases will be mailed to you within the next two weeks.

The future of PI/open:
=====================
We are aware of, and sensitive to, the importance of this product to our
customers who are moving to open systems.  PrimeService is working a plan
for PI/open that will be completed and shared within the next thirty days.
In response to the questions around the sale of the product, I want to
emphasize that, regardless of the development approach chosen for the
product, PrimeService will continue to sell and support PI/open.

Our UNIX strategy and conversion/migration programs:
===================================================
We are continuing to sell UNIX-based systems (HP and MIPS) in recognition
of our customers' desire to enjoy the benefits of open systems technology.
For those 50 Series customers who choose to completely convert to open
systems, we will offer a comprehensive set of conversion/migration
programs.  Given our inherent knowledge of the 50 Series technology base,
our open systems support expertise, and our many relationships with open
systems vendors (HP, MIPS, Sun, Tatung, Solbourne, to name a few), we are
positioned to provide you with the highest quality migration and
conversion services in the industry.

We also recognize that you have a significant investment in your 50 Series
products and you may only want to add open systems to your existing
computing environment.  So PrimeService is offering an array of services
that will allow you to integrate these new UNIX technologies into your 50
Series environment and leverage the benefits of both UNIX and PRIMOS.

The financial stability of PrimeService and Computervision Corporation:
======================================================================
As you may be aware, the company just completed an Initial Public Offering
(IPO) as part of its recapitalization program and officially changed its
corporate name to Computervision.  Computervision stock began trading on
the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, August 14, 1992 at an opening price
of $12 per share under the call letters "CVN."  The IPO truly marks an
important milestone for us.

Computervision Corporation, including the PrimeService business unit,
has annual company revenues of over $1.2 billion and currently employs more
than 5,900 people with service and sales offices, and distributors in 52
countries.

PrimeService, with annual revenues exceeding $600 million, remains a
healthy, viable business that continues to build on its 20 years of
experience as an industry-leading service provider.  And we are better
positioned than ever to help you optimize the investment you have made in
Prime products.

I do hope this letter dispels some of the "myths" surrounding the recent
transition of the 50 Series/EXL product business to PrimeService, and
gives you a strong message that we will work closely with you to resolve
your concerns.  Products continue to be available, service and support are
ongoing, and your future needs are being actively planned for.  Next week,
you'll be receiving a bulletin about all of the 50 Series/EXL products and
services that PrimeService will be offering -- I think you'll be pleased.

One final note: through all the changes at Prime Computer in recent years,
the Service organization has always maintained a strong partnership with
our customers.  I can assure you that our commitment to you remains as
strong ever.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me and/or your PrimeService
field office, or take advantage of local telephone hotlines and let us
know how we can help you continue to get the most out of your Prime
products.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,


Kathleen A. Cote
President and General Manager
PrimeService


Newsgroups: comp.sys.prime