If a program registers with the automatic restart manager before requesting a job ID, the automatic restart manager will not associate the program with JES. If a system failure occurs, the automatic restart manager can restart the program on any system in the sysplex, possibly one in a different JES2 multi-access spool configuration (MAS) or JES3 complex from where the program was running before the system failure. The program cannot depend on access to jobs or output it created in the original MAS or complex.

If a program registers with the automatic restart manager after requesting a job ID, the automatic restart manager will associate the program with JES. If a system failure occurs, the automatic restart manager can restart the program on any member in the same MAS or complex. If the program requests job IDs from more than one JES, the automatic restart manager uses the JES from the first request.