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Track system performance and resource use with IBM Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS V1.7
from CCR2, Issue 11 - 2004
High-speed data collection paired with DB2 builds valuable repository for IT management reporting and decision making
Can your IT department produce definitive reports to demonstrate and drive accountability, cost control and commitment to service levels? Do you have the aggregated data you need to accurately charge costs to other departments in a timely manner? Is your z/OS® data mining solution keeping up with increasing data volumes?
IBM Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS helps IT organizations address these critical management issues.
The recent release of Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS Version 1.7 offers several enhancements over previous versions: it runs faster and better manages huge data volumes, is easier to use and executes more smoothly, and supports IBM DB2® V8 and z/OS V1.5. In addition, the accounting workstation component is now available separately for analyzing data stored in your own in-house z/OS data collection solution.
Mine information to optimize your IT resources
Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS populates a central IBM DB2 database with enterprise-wide IT systems performance and usage data. You tailor your solution by choosing from six packages of ready-to-use customizable batch reports for z/OS, network, iSeries™, CICS®, IMS™ and distributed systems.
These reports—more than a thousand—help you make practical use of your repository data to optimize operational planning, cost management, responsiveness, decision making, reliability and overall business efficiency.
Performance enhanced with intelligent flexibility
Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS V1.7 speeds log collection and takes advantage of IBM DB2 V8 features to improve performance.
The update runs faster than previous versions because it populates fewer tables. Instead of installing all the tables, Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS gives you the flexibility to define the data sources collected and consolidated and how long they should be retained. The solution collects and analyzes only the data you need.
Enhancements shorten elapsed collection time and reduce the impact on DB2. One of these enhancements allows Version 1.7 to quickly determine table existence, which speeds collection. The other allows you to set the algorithm used to update collector tables. Since the table algorithm chosen by the solution will typically be the same every time, you can note the algorithm used previously, and then force the algorithm for future table updates. This user-selected algorithm approach is faster and more resource efficient than having the solution test for and determine the algorithm anew each time the collector runs.
Interval accounting aids interdepartmental billing for long jobs
Determining resource utilization for long-running jobs, such as for online systems and CICS, has traditionally been difficult. Version 1.7 makes it easy to analyze data for currently-running programs and report usage based on a user-selected interval, such as a week or month. This flexible information reporting is critically important to billing for accounting and chargeback; customers can be advised of their resource use while it is happening, so they can lighten system demands if necessary to stay within their budget.
Reduce intervention and processing during restarts
Data files gathered throughout a time period or from multiple systems are often concatenated for input into the collector which populates the database. When errors are found within the concatenated data files, the collector automatically picks up from the error point forward, reducing total processing time and manual intervention during restarts.
Accounting Workstation available as add-on to home-grown solutions
One of the most powerful features that can be added to Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS, the accounting solution, provides essential information to run your data processing center as a cost center, with a focus on prices, revenue, cost and profit.
The accounting solution consists of two components - one for host and one for workstations. Beginning with this version, the Accounting Workstation option is available as a stand-alone product for use with custom-developed collector solutions. The workstation component provides an easy-to-use interface, plus file compatibility with conventional PC spreadsheet and database programs.
Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS V1.7 provides a cost-effective DB2-based decision support system essential for generating a complete picture of your systems and comparing it to historical performance data. The high-speed data collection engine enables you to perform the detailed data analysis that is so critical to the effective management of your IT infrastructure - so you can maximize and demonstrate IT's contribution to the success of your company.
For more information
IBM Tivoli Decision Support
IBM Tivoli Decision Support (PDF)
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