ARP System Q&A

Here are the FAQs regarding ARP-3000/Pro, ARP-4000/Pro Systems:

  1. What is an “ARP” computer system? What does “ARP” stand for?

ANS: The ARP system is a pre-configured computer system designed for various industrial PC-based automation and control applications that Advantech launched at the beginning of year 2002. ARP is the abbreviation of “Application Ready Platform”. There are two ARP computer system models: ARP-3000/Pro and ARP-4000/Pro. These ARP systems are pre-assembled using the high quality industrial computer hardware components Advantech offers and are pre-installed with Windows 2000 Pro OS.

  1. What is the market positioning of ARP?

ANS: ARP system targets the market where customers need a PC not only with a popular and powerful spec/configuration with high quality components to fulfill their automation & control application needs, but also to meet their budget or cost-down demand under current economy.

  1. What are the Benefits/Advantages of the ARP System?

ANS:

  1. “All-In-One” – ARP systems come equipped with the configuration needed by most common industrial applications. The configuration is widely employed by many PC-based automation & control application and well accepted by many industrial users.
  1. “One-Spec-Fits-All”-- ARP systems provide a common PC computing platform that is suitable for most industrial needs.

III. “Great Price & Value”—ARP system offersall the advantage of an industrial grade computer system platform at a commercial PC price—under $1,000. ARP system offers high quality computer components with greater system reliability, and flexibility for system expansion and upgrade than any commercial PC in the current market.

  1. What is the pricing for the ARP System?

ANS: ARP-3000/Pro & ARP-4000/Pro (Celeron CPU) List Price $998, Discount price schedule class B will be applied.

ARP-3000/Pro-P3 & ARP-4000/Pro-P3 (PIII CPU) List Price $1098, Discount price schedule class B will be applied

  1. Why is the ARP System so cheap?

ANS: All the integration and assembly of ARP is done in Advantech Asian Assembly site, where the same high quality work is done at a lower cost, compared to the same job done in the US. Advantech wants to pass the cost saving to the end-users. That’s why the ARP System is so cheap.

  1. What’s the product life expectancy? How long will Advantech support this product?

ANS: Advantech will support this ARP system model for at least 2 years. But there is no “revision control” service available for the ARP system.

  1. Can customer change any configuration of ARP systems?

ANS: No, we don’t accept any configuration change for these pre-configured ARP systems. If customer wants any custom-made configuration, they can purchase from Advantech standard products for any configuration they desired. However, we allow add-on components to current ARP configuration, such as adding the interface card to the ARP system, but there will be an “Option 100” charge on these “add-on”.

  1. Are keyboard, mouse and monitor included in ARP?

ANS: No, ARP system does not include keyboard, mouse or monitor. Customer needs to purchase them separately.

  1. Can customer get an evaluation unit of the ARP system?

ANS: No, Advantech doesn’t offer any evaluation unit of ARP system to customers.But we will have a demo unit available for 2 weeks.

  1. How to order ? (Ordering information)

ANS: It’s easy and simple! All you need is the correct part number and price when ordering. ARP-3000/Pro is for the Mini-Tower style and wall-mount capability, and ARP-4000/Pro is for the 19” rack-mount Desk-Top style.It’s a pre-assembled system and pre-installed with OS. There is no need to add “Option 100” for assembly and OS installation in the order if there is no other “add-on” service needed.

  1. Is there minimum quantity or any restriction when ordering?

ANS: No minimum quantity requirement when ordering on list price. For any discount price,the minimum quantity is 10 units per PO. However, during our “New Product Introductory Promotion” period, ends March 31, 2002, the discount price minimum order quantity is 5 units.

  1. Extended warranty?

ANS: The standard warranty for the ARP System is 1 year. If customer request to have longer year of warranty, Advantech offers extended warranty service to these ARP systems at the price of 8% of selling price for each additional extended year.

  1. Return policy?

ANS: Advantech will accept returns of units in good condition from customer within 30 days after invoice, and a 15% restocking fee plus S+H will be charged to customer if return within 32-90 days, after 90 days, no credit return accepted.

  1. What is the lead-time?

ANS: All ARP systems will come from Taiwan via regular sea shipment. The lead-time will be approximately 4 weeks. We will not have any inventory until first week of February, 2002. We will be able to order more ARP units from Taiwan in advance if an accurate forecast (with 90% confidence) of purchase quantity can be provided to the Product Manager or Logistic Dept. before getting the PO.

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