3.2.5 Education

OS/390, and to some degree migration/conversion skills are crucial factors to the success of the migration project. Identification of skill requirements and how these requirements will be satisfied is the main objective of the education plan. Listed are the key elements to effective education planning:

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Identify personnel (who) Identify personal needs (what) Set schedules (when)

Map a master plan (how) Identify resources/offering dates

3.3 Progressive versus Mass Conversion

3.3.1 Approach Differences

The difference between the progressive and mass conversion approaches is illustrated on Figure 6.

Figure 6. Progressive versus Mass Conversion

In a progressive conversion, the VSE application portfolio is divided in smaller application units (or kernels) which are migrated one by one to the target OS/390 environment. The production is divided between VSE and OS/390 operations for an extended period of time. During that critical period, the OS/390 system supports simultaneously the new production and the application conversion including the conversion testing.

The main distinction with the mass conversion approach is that it results in a single switchover of the entire VSE application portfolio to OS/390 over a weekend, with no overlap of VSE and OS/390 production. Until the switchover weekend, all converted applications run in production under VSE. By the end of the switchover weekend, all converted applications run in production under OS/390. An OS/390 system is used in parallel with ongoing VSE operations to support the migration project, but it doesn′t support any OS/390 production until the switchover weekend.

Chapter 3. Developing the Plan

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IBM OS/390 manual Education, Progressive versus Mass Conversion Approach Differences
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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.
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