CICS TS Installation

Overview

The CICS Transaction Server Installation and Migration Service Offering is provided by Best Customer Solutions, Inc. as a way for users of CICS on the S/390 or zSeries processors to easily and smoothly upgrade to CICS Transaction Server V1.3 from prior releases. Not only is CICS TS V1.3 the level to be at for Web enablement, but now an end-of-service date of December 31, 2002 has been announced for CICS/ESA V4.1; it's time to plan the move to CICS TS V1.3.

The CICS Transaction Server Installation and Migration Service Offering uses a tailored Microsoft Project-based Upgrade Plan to lay out a CICS upgrade in fine detail, including the following components: (1) Project kickoff and planning session, (2) Basic installation and test system verification (ServerPac or CBPDO), (3) Migration of existing CICS systems to CICS TS (optional), (4) Implementation of CICS in a production mode (optional), (5) Installation and migration of CICS-dependent Third Party products (optional) and (6) Training associated with the upgrade (optional). The Upgrade Plan can include client personnel as well as members of the BCS staff, or BCS can solely perform the upgrade in conjunction with a client liaison. Deliverables of this Service Offering include: (1) A detailed, customized Upgrade Plan, (2) Documentation of the upgrade process, including an Installation Diary and extensively commented objects that store CICS parameters and definitions.

Description

A CICS TS upgrade starts with a kickoff meeting and planning session held onsite at your location, and has the following objectives:

Familiarize members of BCS staff with the S/390 environment where CICS TS is to be installed. A System Environment Questionnaire is provided to aid in this process.
Define project scope in detail. The CICS TS Migration Starter Kit is an aid in defining the specific details of an upgrade, to identify installation-unique upgrade tasks, to determine installation objectives and deadlines, to determine any unusual installation requirements and in general, to determine all the information necessary tailor the Migration Starter Kit to an Upgrade Plan for your system.
Assign responsibilities for installation and migration tasks. Responsible team members can include both your staff and members from BCS. This information is incorporated into the Upgrade Plan.
Determine logistics such as Userids, security clearances, onsite facilities, dial-in access, a brief orientation to using the system, etc.
Determine status meeting/conference call schedule, status reporting requirements, etc.

Once the Upgrade Plan is completed, installation of CICS TS begins in earnest. Best Customer Solutions can install CICS TS either via a ServerPac or CBPDO CustomPac offering, and can provide guidance in ServerPac usage which can simplify future upgrades. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

Tailor subsystems such as MVS, RACF, OMVS, etc. for CICS TS.
Tailor and run CICS TS installation jobs, create test system.
Bring up test system and run IVPs.
Resolve any problems and finalize documentation.

The next phase of the CICS TS upgrade is to migrate existing CICS systems to CICS Transaction Server V1.3. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

Perform release-to-release migration tasks, based on the release that's currently in use.
Re-assemble any user exits, PLT programs or other system programs.
Upgrade Resource Definition Online.
Perform migration tasks which are installation-unique.
Tailor startup Procs.
Perform system cleanup necessary for a smooth move to production.
Define test plan and criteria.

After migration to CICS is complete, individual CICS systems can be prepared for and then moved to a production status. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

Startup and testing of a system under CICS TS.
Resolution of any problems which arise, in conjunction with IBM Support if needed.
Implementation in production once problems are resolved, and related monitoring/support.
Old release cleanup, compile Proc upgrade and related post-production tasks.

In addition to upgrading CICS, Best Customer Solutions, Inc., is willing and able to upgrade related, CICS-based Third Party products which must be tailored or upgraded to a new release to be compatible with CICS TS V1.3. Examples of this type of product are: (1) CICS monitors, (2) CICS system or transaction dump reading tools, (3) Debugging tools, (4) CICS utilities and (5) application software.

Best Customer Solutions, Inc., is also willing and able to provide training for systems, operations or application personnel, as negotiated at the time a contract is agreed to.

Summary

The CICS Transaction Server Installation and Migration Services Offering is a tested, seasoned approach to upgrading to the most current level of CICS on the S/390 platform, and to strategically position your organization for e-business using your existing CICS application base and related data. This service offering can be tailored to your company's specific needs, and is not necessarily limited to the above description. If you have interest in this service offering, please contact Jim Schesvold at 1(715)341-6489, or contact Jim via email at jschesvold@mainframehelp.com.