Why Your Company Needs IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services

Dedicated IBM Z Systems Advocacy to Support, Monitor, and Maintain Your Mainframe

Many companies that rely on mainframes are facing a crisis as systems programmers retire. The mainframe skills gap is widening because there aren’t enough younger IT professionals training to fill the growing number of vacant positions.

Without systems programmers, mainframe users 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 most likely creates challenges for many other companies as well.

That’s why we are offering affordable IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services as part of PSR mainframe services to provide IBM Z Systems support and assist with hardware support calls that concern IBM Z processors, IBM Z disk storage, IBM Virtual Tape and Optica Virtual Tape.

Companies experiencing a mainframe skills gap that leaves them without in-house technical support need IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services to provide a point of contact between them and IBM or third-party vendors and to overcome mainframe monitoring and maintenance challenges.

Providing Hardware Support for IBM Z Systems

Advocacy Services address IBM Z hardware maintenance by ensuring that your company is alerted of any hardware problems and that they are addressed in a timely manner. Upon request, PSR will open hardware problem tickets on behalf of the customer. We address eligibility for maintenance and any entitlement issues that arise when problem tickets are opened.

In an event of a hardware call-home event, PSR will act as a point of contact for IBM Z hardware maintenance, notifying customer contacts to inform them of a problem so that no issue is overlooked. We make sure that the proper severity level is set by the maintenance provider so that customers are aware of the extent of the problem.

Tracking Maintenance Schedules

Keeping track of IBM Z maintenance schedules can be a challenge for mainframe users, leading to overdue repairs and refreshments. Advocacy Services for IBM Z Systems maintains maintenance contract schedules so your company can conduct preventative maintenance.

PSR will keep records of contract numbers and the serial numbers of equipment covered by maintenance contracts. Tracking IBM Z maintenance enables us to notify customers 90 days in advance of the end date of coverage.

Monitoring Equipment Code Levels

As part of mainframe monitoring, PSR Advocacy Services monitor code levels on Z processors, Z Storage, and Optica Virtual Tape devices to check when new levels are available, which happens at least twice a year. For IBM Storage, PSR will review current code levels and compare them against available code levels.

We coordinate with the customer and IBM to set up remote code loads for Z Storage systems. PSR will open a problem ticket to have IBM provide code update information. We will also set up a service call with IBM or Optica so that code updates can be scheduled and implemented.

Monitoring for Software Reporting

IBM Z systems users need to analyze software utilization data from mainframe environments to generate monthly reports for billing purposes using the IBM Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT). As part of our Advocacy Services, PSR can be copied on SCRT so we can notify a customer ahead of the deadline if a report has not been submitted.

We act as a backup resource in case an IBM claims report doesn’t get sent and resolve issues when billing does not match a report submission. PSR also 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. At the customer’s request, we will review for accuracy any IBM Software invoice that has been sent to them. If needed, we will open software billing disputes when errors are detected and follow through with IBM for resolution.

PSR will annually review software inventory and notify customers of which products they are being charged for. We can add or cancel IBM software on behalf of the customer when needed.

Reviewing Logs

PSR will log into the processor or storage Hardware Management Console (HMC) weekly to review logs for events and delete any non-essential items. If logs indicate an issue, we will notify the customer.

As part of the log review process, PSR will verify that replication is operating, check code levels, and assess disk and tape utilization. Once the review has been completed, we will email the customer with a status report for their reference.

Forwarding IBM Announcements

IBM Z Systems users often overlook important announcements from IBM that affect their mainframes. As your Advocate, PSR will forward and call attention to IBM announcements on price increases, withdrawal of maintenance, and the removal of mainframe-related products from the market.

How to Get Started with IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services

With IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services, your company doesn’t have to go it alone when managing, monitoring, and maintaining your mainframe. We make it easy to get started 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 any time.

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, keeps current on mainframe technology and performance, and stays aware of any emerging issues with the running of your IBM Z mainframe.

Get the specialized mainframe support you need. Reach out today to start benefiting from IBM Z Systems Advocacy Services from PSR.