Enforcing Standards

You can use data class ACS routine facilities to automate or simplify storage allocation standards if you:

Use manual techniques to enforce standards
Plan to enforce standards before implementing DFSMS
Use DFSMSdfp or MVS™ installation exits to enforce storage allocation standards

The data class ACS routine provides an automatic method for enforcing standards, because it is called for system-managed and non-system-managed data set allocations. Standards are enforced automatically at allocation time, rather than through manual techniques after allocation.

Enforcing standards optimizes data processing resources, improves service to users, and positions you for implementing system-managed storage. You can fail requests or issue warning messages to users who do not conform to standards. Consider enforcing the following standards in your DFSMS environment:

Prevent extended retention or expiration periods.
Prevent specific volume allocations, unless authorized.
For example, you can control allocations to spare, system, database, or other volumes.
Require valid naming conventions for permanent data sets.

Installation and User Exits, describes the installation exits available in the DFSMS environment. Use the information to evaluate if your installation exit usage continues to apply to system-managed data sets.