Expert Support Assistance from PSR

Systems programmers and operators handle many mainframe-related tasks as part of their regular jobs. As these specialists retire, staff members who aren’t experts in the mainframe and don’t understand basic procedures and their importance are tasked with supporting the mainframe. PSR fulfills the need for expert mainframe support with our IBM Z Systems Advocate Service.

PSR offers affordable IBM Z Systems Advocate Services as part of our mainframe services. We advocate for IBM Z Systems users by supporting and assisting with hardware support calls that concern:

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    IBM Z processors

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    IBM Z disk storage

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    IBM Virtual Tape

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    Optica Virtual Tape

The IBM Z Systems Challenge

Many companies that rely on mainframes are facing a crisis as systems programmers retire and they lack qualified IT professionals to replace them. When mainframe users lose their systems programmers, they have no one with the expertise needed to monitor the mainframe and handle day-to-day issues.

At PSR, we have found that the lack of IBM System Z expertise is a problem for our smaller clients and likely creates challenges for many other companies as well. That’s why we are offering IBM Z Systems Advocate Services.

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Why IBM Z Systems Users Need Advocate Services from PSR

Companies experiencing a mainframe skills gap that leaves them without in-house technical support need IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services to:

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    Provide a point of contact between them and IBM or third-party vendors

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    Overcome mainframe monitoring and maintenance challenges

How to Get Started with IBM Z Systems Advocate Service

PSR makes getting started with our IBM Z Systems Advocate Service easy by offering a simple 30-day services engagement with no commitment to a long-term contract. Your company can try out our Advocacy Services and opt out at any time.

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Hardware Support for IBM Z Systems

Our Advocacy Service addresses IBM Z hardware maintenance by: 

  • Sending alerts for any hardware problems 
  • Ensuring hardware problems are addressed in a timely manner 
  • Opening hardware problem tickets on behalf of customer upon request 
  • Addressing eligibility for maintenance and any entitlement issues that arise 

In an event of a hardware call-home event, PSR: 

  • Acts as a point of contact for IBM Z hardware maintenance 
  • Notifies customer contacts to inform them of a problem so that no issue is overlooked 
  • Makes sure the severity level set by the maintenance provider reflects the extent of the problem 

Maintenance Schedule Tracking

PSR helps IBM Z Systems users keep track of maintenance schedules to avoid overdue repairs and updates by:

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    Maintaining maintenance contract schedules to enable preventative maintenance

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    Keeping records of maintenance contract numbers and serial numbers of covered equipment

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    Notifying customers 90 days in advance of the end date of coverage

Monitoring Equipment Code Levels

As part of mainframe monitoring, PSR Advocate Service monitors equipment code levels to help Z Systems user stay up to date by: 

  • Checking when new code levels are available for Z processors, Z Storage, and Optica Virtual Tape devices 
  • Reviewing current code levels for IBM Storage and comparing them against available code levels 
  • Coordinating with the customer and IBM to set up remote code loads for Z Storage systems  
  • Opening problem tickets to request code update information from IBM 
  • Setting up service calls with IBM or Optica to schedule and implement code updates 

Sub-Capacity Software Report Monitoring

IBM Z Systems users need to analyze software utilization data from mainframe environments to generate monthly billing reports using the IBM Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT).

To assist with the process, PSR: 

  • Can be copied on SCRT to notify a customer ahead of the deadline if a report has not been submitted  
  • Acts as a backup resource in case an IBM claims report doesn’t get sent 
  • Resolves issues when billing does not match a report submission 
  • Provides an option for adding an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) product 

 IBM Software Services

As your IBM Z Systems Advocate, PSR provides a range of software services, including: 

  • Reviewing for accuracy any IBM Software invoice sent to the customer if requested 
  • Opening software billing disputes when errors are detected 
  • Following through with IBM for resolution of billing disputes 
  • Annually reviewing software inventory and notifying customers of which products they are being charged for 
  • Adding or canceling IBM software on behalf of the customer when needed 

 Log Reviewing

PSR will log into the processor or storage Hardware Management Console (HMC) weekly to: 

  • Review logs for events 
  • Delete any non-essential items 
  • Notify the customer if logs indicate an issue 
  • Verify that replication is operating 
  • Check code levels 
  • Assess disk and tape utilization 
  • Email the customer with a status report when the review has been completed 

Forwarding IBM Announcements

As your Advocate for IBM Z Systems, PSR will forward and call attention to IBM announcements, so you won’t miss out on important news about:

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    Price increases

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    Withdrawal of maintenance

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    Removal of mainframe-related products from the market

Why Choose PSR for IBM Z Systems Advocate Services

As an IBM Platinum Partner and the only IBM Partner dedicated to the mainframe, PSR has the expertise needed to ensure your company gets the most value from the mainframe. With priorities for keeping current on mainframe technology and performance and staying aware of any emerging issues with the running of your IBM Z mainframe.

Find Out More About IBM Z Systems Advocate Service from PSR

Connect with an IBM Z Systems Expert