Mass conversion - (Cortex-MS)

Program inventory - (IBM OPTI-AUDIT)

2.6 Educational Requirements

2.6.1 Introduction

The educational requirements for the migration project will generally take the form of developing OS/390 skills; that is, JCL and conversion techniques. With the latter, strategies will have to be developed to convert things such as VSE program source and JCL to OS/390. Education can take on the form of classroom, self-study, on the job training, on-site, or feet to the fire. The latter being the most undesirable. Consideration should be given to issues such as the availability, cost, length and appropriateness of each. For example, classroom course schedules need to be consulted to determine whether they coincide with project timetables. Cost issues of travel and living expenses need to be also considered. When considering outside consultants for in-house training, they can often tailor classes to specific requirements allowing you to get the most out of this type of education. A list of helpful courses and how to get more course information has been included in Appendix A, ªEducation Informationº on page 535 in this publication.

Highlighted are some of the educational requirements for the key functional areas.

2.6.1.1 System Programming

Education for systems programming personnel will generally include OS/390 installation and tailoring, problem determination and maintenance. Similar education will be required for those with subsystem (for example, CICS or DB/2) responsibility. Another source of education is the hands-on education that occurs when OS/390 is initially installed and before it is put to any kind of productive use. Such hands-on experience has often proven invaluable.

2.6.1.2 Application Programming

Application programming resources will most likely focus on JCL and program development tools for the OS/390 environment. Although there is a high degree of affinity/compatibility between the various programming languages in VSE and OS/390, some education will be needed to understand the functional and compatibility differences that do exist.

2.6.1.3 Operations

OS/390 console operations will be the main education requirement for the operations staff. Courses on OS/390 and JES commands will be the most crucial. Consideration should also be given to education on any scheduling, console automation and/or systems management products that will be used. Operations personnel will also need to be updated on any new procedural and/or process changes.

Chapter 2. Sizing the Effort

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IBM OS/390 manual Educational Requirements Introduction, System Programming, Application Programming

OS/390 specifications

IBM OS/390, a versatile operating system, was a cornerstone in enterprise environments and played a pivotal role in mainframe computing. Released in the mid-1990s, OS/390 combined the strengths of IBM's MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) with new features and enhancements, targeting scalability, reliability, and performance in demanding business applications.

One of the key features of OS/390 was its robust support for multiple users and processes. The system allowed thousands of concurrent users to access applications and data, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime—a critical requirement for many large organizations. This scalability was supported through various enhancements in memory management and processor scheduling, enabling optimal resource allocation across diverse workloads.

OS/390 was known for its superior workload management capabilities. The Workload Manager (WLM) component allowed administrators to define service policies, specifying how system resources would be allocated according to the priority of tasks. This ensured that critical business processes received the necessary resources while less critical tasks were managed more flexibly.

Another significant characteristic of OS/390 was its commitment to security. The operating system provided comprehensive security features, including user authentication, data encryption, and auditing capabilities. This focus on security was vital for organizations handling sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding against unauthorized access.

OS/390 also supported advanced technologies that facilitated integration and development. The system included features like the IBM CICS (Customer Information Control System) for transaction processing and IMS (Information Management System) for database management. These technologies allowed organizations to build robust, high-performance applications tailored to specific business needs.

The ease of network integration was another strength of OS/390. With the advent of the Internet and global connectivity, OS/390 systems could easily interface with various network protocols, enabling businesses to operate in a connected world. This inclusion paved the way for many organizations to expand their capabilities and offer new services, driving digital transformation.

In conclusion, IBM OS/390 represented a significant advancement in mainframe technology, combining scalability, security, and robust workload management. Its rich feature set and support for critical enterprise applications solidified its role as a vital component of many organizations' IT infrastructures, ensuring they could meet their operational challenges head-on while supporting future growth. As technology continues to evolve, the legacy of OS/390 remains influential in the realm of computing.