Hi!
I ordered an IP-NIOS license. Here is my experience with it:
- there is absolutely no Intel office in Europe where I can call or write and to discuss with a "human person" and ask her/him questions about the product
- there is nothing like the old "Altera Europe" office in Europe anymore
- I sent a Intel Premium Support request and it was denied. We are a small company but still a company.... great!
- I searched for Distributors in Europe for INTEL-FPGA products and related products and I got only:
1. digikey - FPGA, CPLD but no Licenses
2. arrow - FPGA, CPLD, they offer licenses but IP-NIOS is not in stock and cannot be ordered
3. mouser - FPGA, CPLD and licenses. I order it 2 weeks ago. Order status after 2 weeks for a downloadable license: "pending"!! I'm spamming mouser with emails and by phone requesting at least a delivery date and all I get is: "we get no information back from Intel"
And I need as soon as possible the IP-NIOS license for a demo unit which is going to be sent to a potential customer.
Further in this design we will need a new package/license from Intel which is way more expensive than IP-NIOS and less documented. We are completely in the dark about it: technical and purchasing.
What is your experience with Intel support and purchasing from them? Do you have some advice for me?
Regards,
Paul
