README FILE FOR THE AMERICAS - VERSION 5J

GENERAL
* This is version 5J - '5' for the 5th year of production (of the classic spreadsheet) 
  and 'J' for the 10th 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 Zip file name - 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 CHANGES MADE IN THIS RELEASE (5J):-

* New Function - Manual Price Update facility - in Lotus version (already in 
  Excel). Initiated via the Classic interface.
* New Function - Discount and Uplift facility implemented for the Classic 
  Quote - Excel only, Lotus to follow. 
* New Function - Improvements to the "unresolved errors/warnings" message when 
  adding to the Quote in the Classic Lotus version to report line numbers where 
  the errors are occurring (to bring it in line  with the Classic Excel version).
* Product Removals - IDE RAID Adapter and xSeries Hosting Appliance - these have 
  been removed from the configurator in the light of recently reported technical 
  problems. We are waiting to hear what the recovery plan will be.
* Product Additions - Added P/N 22P5298 - USB to Serial/Parallel Adaptor - UPS 
  management connection for the x440.
* Product Withdrawals - The following products have been removed from the 
  configurator due to being officially withdrawn and now past their 'remove by' 
  date:- P/N 10K3785 - CD Drive,  P/N 94G6674 - APC Smart UPS 1400RMiB(replaced 
  by 2U model.
* Product Withdrawals - A number of xSeries models and Options (NetBAY3/3E for 
  example), have been flagged as Withdrawn in line with recent announcements.
* Other Updates - Continued focus on data accuracy in all files and a number of 
  other minor changes and corrections have been made.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USAGE
* 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 the xSeries, 
  IntelliStation, Rack or Find-a-Part categories are selected.
* The System Selector screen is where individual product family models(such as 
  the xSeries 220 for example) are available for selection.

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 
  time.

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