To help mainframe-dependent companies protect their
investments, BMC Software is rolling out software designed to
simplify and automate big-iron systems management processes for a
wider group of IT workers.
The System Advisor for z/OS is the first in a planned line of
Java-based tools that it said will let IT staffers who lack
mainframe skills manage mainframe computing resources.
For example, network or Unix specialists would be able to use
the software to manage mainframes via a streamlined graphical user
interface (GUI).
Calvin Guidry, vice-president and general manager of enterprise
systems management at BMC, said keeping mainframes running smoothly
could become more of a challenge as companies face a predicted
shortage of mainframe-savvy IT workers.
Typically, mainframes are managed through 3270 green-screen
terminals or specialised interfaces, Guidry said.
Other features include text messages to help simplify systems
configuration and application service management tasks. Systems
managers will also be able to use the software to set performance
thresholds, restart systems and oversee workload management, data
integrity and storage operations.
Given the ageing of the mainframe workforce, that sort of
point-and-click tool could help younger IT staffers get up to speed
on mainframes, said Larry Riggen, a principal technology consultant
at Cinergy, a utility and energy services firm.
At Cinergy, which runs BMC's Mainview mainframe management
software and its tools for managing DB2 databases, there is also
tremendous pressure to cut costs, Riggen said.
The utility will probably consider BMC's offering as a potential
way to meet those goals, he added.
Computer Associates International and IBM's Tivoli Software unit
have also recognised the anticipated thinning of the mainframe
talent pool, said Richard Ptak, an analyst at Ptak &
Associates. He said both CA and Tivoli are likely make similar
product announcements in the near future.
CA already sells several Windows-based tools like System Advisor
to ease mainframe job management, automation and security
administration for IT staffers trained on other systems.
Tivoli said it is shipping a mainframe management application
that can be used by various IT workers and is developing portal
software to provide integrated mainframe monitoring.