DIGITAL
             Before You Install DEC RdbExpert Version 1.0
             AV-LE49A-TE


             Congratulations on your purchase of DEC RdbExpert Version
             1.0. This cover letter discusses important aspects of the
             software, so please take the time to read it.

             Installation

             Before installing DEC RdbExpert Version 1.0, read the DEC
             RdbExpert Installation Guide for information about this
             installation kit, prerequisites, and procedures, as well
             as the VMS quota and privilege requirements. Please note
             that the product release notes file contains additional
             information about user process quotas to set for use of this
             software.

             Contents of This Kit

             The DEC RdbExpert Version 1.0 Kit contents vary depending
             upon whether it is a complete media-and-documentation kit
             or a documentation-only kit. Please read the Indented Bill
             Report (BIL) and the Bill of Materials (BOM) enclosed in
             this shipment. Check these bills to see that all items listed
             are actually in your kit. If your kit is damaged, or if you
             find that parts of it are missing, please call your Digital
             representative.

             Release Notes

             Once installed, the online release notes file for DEC Rdb-
             Expert product contains important information about product
             features, a summary of technical issues, restrictions, and
             incompatibility issues. You can read the release notes before
             installing DEC RdbExpert by invoking VMSINSTAL and following
             the instructions in the installation guide.

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             DEC RdbExpert Version 1.0 and VAX DBMS Support

             DEC RdbExpert Version 1.0 was announced to provide database
             tuning support for both VAX Rdb/VMS and VAX DBMS database
             management systems. The DEC RdbExpert product will only
             support the tuning of VAX Rdb/VMS databases. Support for VAX
             DBMS will not be provided in the DEC RdbExpert product. If
             you have purchased this software to tune VAX DBMS databases
             please contact your Digital sales representative.

             DEC RdbExpert Workload Effort

             DEC RdbExpert is an excellent tool to aid the database
             administrator in tuning VAX Rdb/VMS databases. The DECtrace
             for VMS product can collect transaction and request
             information for use by DEC RdbExpert while applications
             are running. Thus, DECtrace helps in the acquisition of the
             database transaction workload prior to providing this data to
             DEC RdbExpert.

             It is important to note that the quality of the workload will
             have a direct influence on the efficiency of your database
             design and resultant application performance. The quality
             includes the effort that is put into ensuring that it is an
             accurate reflection of the transactions which will execute
             within the target environment.

             To aid the DEC RdbExpert user in creating accurate workloads,
             the DEC RdbExpert for VMS User's Guide has been written to
             provide a detailed discussion of the subject. Following the
             guidelines contained in this material will lead to better
             performance and more accurate designs.

             Regards,

             Mike O'Connell

             Copyright © 1990 Digital Equipment Corporation

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