README FILE FOR THE AMERICAS - VERSION 5E

GENERAL
* This is version 5E - '5' for the fifth year of production (of the classic spreadsheet) 
  and 'E' for the fifth release this year. 
* Updates will be distributed approximately every two weeks, timed for the middle and 
  end of each month.
* If an interim release is made, to fix an important bug for example, it will be given an 
  identifier of 'a' or 'b' etc. in the Excel and Zip file names - after the version number.  
* The availability dates of the tool will be adjusted for the timing of any new xSeries 
  product announcements.
* Feedback and any problems with the configurator can be reported to:- 
  psg_configure@uk.ibm.com.
* This version is for Microsoft Excel and it will run on Excel '97 and 2000.
* The configurator will not run with Excel viewer - a full version is required.

SOME PROBLEMS FIXED/CHANGES MADE IN THIS RELEASE (5E):-

* The new x440 xSeries family has been added.
* The new NetBAY 11 Rack Enclosure has been added
* A new facility enabling the user to update pricing within the configurator has 
  been added. This can be accomplished either by keying in the part numbers and 
  prices or by copy and paste, if the source data application allows it. Checkout 
  the 'Manual Price Update' button on the Home screen of the Wizard and on the 
  Main Sheet of the Classic Spreadsheet.
* Another new facility has been included that will assist in the entry of 
  configuration data into the FPT tool for IBM Sales Representatives. The 
  configurator can now produce an export file in the correct format so that it can
  be imported into an FPT tool document. The FPT Export File button can be found on
  the Wizard Manage Quote Screen.
* Products announced as withdrawn will remain in the configurator for a period of 
  approximately 90 days after the 'withdrawn effective'date. They will be flagged 
  as 'Withdrawn' in the Description, or 'WDFM' in the Price Field, or both.
* A number of other minor changes and corrections have been made.

SOME KNOWN PROBLEMS:-

* Problems may be encountered if deleting the SMP Expansion Module and processors
  in the x440 Wizard. It is better to return to the Home Screen and start again in 
  this situation.
* If you get asterisks appearing in a price field in the Quote Print screen instead 
  of the price, this is because the column has not resized correctly. Close the Quote
  Print screen, exit to the Spreadsheet and 'Go To' the Quote sheet. You will be able 
  to resize the columns here by clicking and dragging on the column header boundary. 
  If you then return to the Wizard Quote Print screen the problem should be solved 
  for that configuration.
* If you close down from the S/S after first 'Adding to Quote' in Wizard - the file 
  apparently closes without asking if you want to save. In fact it doesn't 
  close - it is hidden. This seems to happen with Windows '95 only.
* Focus problems in the Rack Module - you have to click on Rack Cabinet sometimes to 
  select it and to enable the 'Add' button, even though the cabinet is highlighted.
* Configurator hangs sometimes when used with Win NT and Office '97.
 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* At the moment the Terms and Conditions can be found by clicking on Help on the 
  Home Screen.
* For the purposes of definition, the Home Screen is where either xSeries, 
  IntelliStation, Rack or Find-a-Part is selected.
* The System Selector screen is where xSeries product families and models can be 
  selected, for example.

OVERALL INSTALLATION AND USAGE
* Double-click on the zip package and extract the file to a sub-directory of your 
  choosing.
* Either run the file under Excel or double-click from Explorer and the configurator 
  will start.
* The first screen that appears ask you to select either the classic spreadsheet 
  interface or the new wizard module.
* You can tick a box before doing this, so that if the file is subsequently saved, 
  this first screen will not appear again.
* When in operation, look for onscreen messages that are either present all the 
  time or appear when you take an action.
* Also look for guidance from the Help selection at the top of each screen (not 
  all screens have help at this time).
* 'Model Specification' on the System Selector screen, will give more details of 
  your selected system unit.
* When in the options screens - rightclick on an orderable option to get more details.
* The 'Find out more about...' and '....Homepage' links on System Selector screen 
  use Internet Explorer.
* The 'Feedback' link on the Home Screen uses a declared Mail Client such as 
  Microsoft Outlook.

CLASSIC MODE
* This mode selection takes you to the spreadsheet where there are buttons for 
  navigation between the various sheets (Go-To button).
* There is also a button on the Main sheet for changing your country selection, 
  which enables loading of your required country data. 
* After the country selection, configurations will be made using that country's 
  part numbers and prices.  
* Within a product sheet, start by selecting a system unit model (enter '1' in 
  the Qty column), then scroll down to select options.
* Enter quantities against the required options - look for advisory messages 
  that are either already present or appear.
* Also check for guidance on the righthand side of the sheet.
* When a configuration has been completed, clicking 'Add xxxxx values to Quote' 
  will copy your selections to a separate Quote sheet.
* The Quote sheet can be copied and pasted out to another spreadsheet, or printed.

WIZARD MODE
* This is the new user interface for the configurator and provides a more guided 
  and controlled route to achieve your configuration.
* The sequence of options categories is similar to the classic, but invalid 
  selections are highlighted or not allowed.
* Operation should be intuitive - look for the next step and any onscreen messages.
* More function is provided for the Quote than in the classic and other configurator 
  functions are improved.
* New features such as the Find-a-Part lookup function and the File Import facility 
  are also provided. 
* The Help content and the information in this Readme file will be improved over 
  the coming weeks.

In the meantime - Questions and Feedback please! to:- psg_configure@uk.ibm.com