Operating System Patch Distribution

	Administrative Bulletin	Operating System Patch Distribution
	Bulletin Number	AB 201
		INFORMATION RELEASE
	The distribution of Operating System Patches for all EDP platforms will now adhere to the following rules.
	All machines will be split into 3 categories. The categories are as follows:

Category ONE
Machine types that have been supplied by EDP within the last 18 months. These platforms will remain in this category for 18 months after the last machine of its type was installed as new.
Category TWO
Machine types that have been supplied by EDP within the last 4 years. These platforms will remain in this category for 4 years after the last machine of its type was installed as new.
Category THREE
All other machines
Patch distribution rules for these machines are as follows:
Category ONE
New Maintenance Editions and Interim patches will be distributed to these platforms immediately after passing the qualification procedures.
Category TWO
New Maintenance Editions and Interim patches will only be distributed to these platforms to cure problems the customer may be experiencing. The patches may be pre-qualified on these platforms.
Category THREE
New Maintenance Editions and Interim patches will not be qualified or distributed on these platforms. If a specific job or upgrade necessitates loading a particular patch or patches on a machine in this category, the kit will first have to pass the qualification procedures.
However, whenever possible such jobs on machines in this category should be avoided and the customer advised to purchase a machine from category 1.
Information
The Production Department will hold a list of all machine types and their current category, along with a list of platforms that have been qualified.