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Problem: MVS operating system for mainframe processor was six releases behind currency and unsupported by IBM. In addition, new hardware acquisitions required a more current MVS release. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created a detailed upgrade plan in concert with Stora Enso, then implemented it to upgrade 19 Third Party products and migrate Stora Enso from MVS V4.3 to OS/390 V1.3. Results: The upgrade plan was executed over 9 months to move Stora Enso into production on all software products. This allowed Stora Enso to implement a number of critical business applications. BCS also performed OS/390 V2.5 and V2.8 upgrades and provided Stora Enso with technical support for several years.
Problem: MVS operating system for mainframe processor was seven releases behind currency and unsupported by IBM. In addition, new applications required a more current release of TCP/IP. MHMC had been working on an OS/390 V2.9 upgrade for 20 months but was months from completion. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created a detailed upgrade plan in concert with Mercy Hospital, then implemented it to upgrade 16 Third Party products and to migrate MHMC from OS/390 V1.3 to OS/390 V2.10. Results: The upgrade plan was executed over 3 months to move MHMC into production on all software products. This allowed MHMC to implement their TCP/IP application on time.
Problem: West Bend Mutual Insurance wanted to upgrade from CICS/ESA V4.1 to CICS TS V1.3 to implement 31-bit applications and web-enablement, but had insufficient staff to upgrade the 13 system CICS complex. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created a detailed upgrade plan in concert with WBMI, then implemented it to upgrade the CICS/DB2 systems to CICS TS V1.3. Results: The upgrade plan was executed over 4 ½ months to put all systems into production on schedule and error free with all eligible applications running in 31-bit mode.
Problem: Jefferson Smurfit Corp. had to pay for and maintain CA1 tape management software as a separate product, while DFSMSrmm was integrated into OS/390 at no cost. They wanted to convert their tape processing from CA1 to RMM, but had insufficient skills to do so. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created a detailed upgrade plan in concert with Jefferson Smurfit, then implemented it to convert tape processing from CA1 to RMM at 2 mainframe sites. Results: Conversion plan was executed over 4 months to implement RMM processing at both sites, eliminating the cost and need for an additional software product.
Problem: Rural Insurance was experiencing severe performance degradation, particularly in DB2 batch processes implemented with a 3rd Party product. Rural needed an independent performance assessment and a delineation of their options. Solution: Best Customer Solutions performed a detailed analysis of all aspects of system performance (CPU, I/O, DB2, OS/390, CICS), identified areas where performance could be improved through tuning, performed a capacity analysis, and presented study results in a White Paper. Results: Tuning recommendations were implemented, resulting in modest performance improvements, and study results were used to determine hardware acquisition plans and to negotiate with 3rd Party vendor regarding additional software performance improvements.
Problem: Stora Enso needed to upgrade from CICS/ESA V3.3 to Y2K-compliant CICS/ESA V4.1, and to migrate Third Party application software to Y2K compliancy. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created a detailed upgrade plan in concert with Stora Enso, then implemented it to upgrade the CICS systems to V4.1. BCS supported the application migration that followed to assure Y2K readiness. Results: The upgrade plan was executed over 9 months to implement and attain Y2K compliancy. Later, BCS performed a CICS/ESA V4.1 to CICS TS V1.3 upgrade for Stora Enso.
Problem: Due to an acquisition, ConAgra was merging multiple mainframe operations into a single processing complex. They had insufficient staff to perform all necessary DB2 work. Solution: Best Customer Solutions supplied an experienced DB2 mainframe consultant who absorbed the additional workload. Results: ConAgra performed the DB2-related aspects of the system merger on time and without difficulty.
Problem: ECMC is determining their web-enablement strategy. One alternative is to use the CICS Transaction Gateway to access mainframe CICS and IMS/DB data for use with a benchmark JAVA web application. They lacked the CICS, IMS/DB, and network skills to write COBOL DataServer code under CICS, and to set up server-to-mainframe communications. Solution: Best Customer Solutions created the application, CICS, and communications logic and produced a working, prototype application in 2 weeks. Results: ECMC is evaluating the CICS Transaction Gateway as a way of opening their online systems to the Web.
Problem: NML was partnering with an insurance application vendor to convert a line of insurance to a Client/Server implementation, which required DB2. NML did not have the right version of DB2 installed, nor did they have the staff to do so. Solution: BCS provided an experienced DB2 consultant, who installed the newest version of DB2 on multiple systems and interfaced with the application vendor on technical issues. Results: NML successfully converted the line of insurance to Client/Server processing.
Problem: WIC had been phasing out the use of IMS/DC; only their commercial claims application used it any more. This very large application implemented ISACOMM development software, which had to be eliminated for the application to run under CICS. Certain IMS/DB data bases also had to be converted to DB2 to complete the conversion from IMS/DC to CICS. Solution: BCS designed an application architecture, then prototyped it on sample applications to verify the approach. BCS and WIC then converted the claims application to CICS. Results: WIC eliminated the use of IMS/DC and ISACOMM, added needed function (through CICS MRO and DB2), and delivered an application their users were highly satisfied with.
Problem: Stora Enso had a large number of TCP/IP users needing access to CICS applications. Solution: BCS installed TCP/IP on Stora Enso's mainframe and moved it to production. Results: Mainframe applications were opened up to 2,000+ TCP/IP users over 8 months.
Problem: MCTO had to upgrade CICS V2 to CICS/ESA V4.1 to make their online systems Y2K-compliant. Solution: Best Customer Solutions performed the CICS upgrade, as well as pre-requisite Third Party products. BCS also supported MCTO applications staff as they upgraded application code. Results: MCTO was Y2K-ready with months to spare, and had no Y2K-related problems.
Problem: Stora Enso lost their systems programming staff, and decided not to replace them. They also needed help in restructuring their systems to make them more maintainable. Solution: BCS provided 24x7 technical support, and also undertook a 2-year effort to document and restructure the system into a simpler, more logical, more maintainable design. Results: Stora Enso has an efficient, maintainable system that can be supported with less staff.
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