Global Manufacturing Firm Reduces Support Risk and Saves Money with Syncsort Optimize IMS
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Syncsort Optimize IMS
- Db2
- Precisely’s Syncsort ZPSaver
Tech Stack
- IBM Information Management System (IMS)
- Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM)
- Db2 on z/OS
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Digital Expertise
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Database Management & Storage
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The customer is a large global manufacturing firm with operations in North America. This company has been utilizing IBM's Information Management System (IMS) for its database management needs. Over the years, the company has relied heavily on IMS for its smooth and reliable operations. However, the IT department is facing challenges due to the retirement of key personnel with IMS expertise, and the existing IMS version is no longer supported by IBM. The company is also incurring high costs for IMS licensing and third-party support tools and services. As a result, the company is looking to transition to Db2 to leverage current technologies and reduce costs. The company is keen on finding a solution that allows for a seamless migration from IMS to Db2 without disrupting its existing application infrastructure.
The Challenge
As with many IBM IMS shops world-wide, IMS was working smoothly and reliably for the North American division of a global company. However, the IT department was losing its IMS skills to retirement, their IMS version was out of support from IBM, and their continuing IMS licensing and third-party support tools and services were costing millions per year. All these factors indicated that a shift to Db2 was inevitable and could not be delayed any longer. Furthermore, the company could see that there were significant opportunity costs in being able to take advantage of current technologies in Db2. The obstacle was the knowledge and confidence that a solid, affordable solution existed that would allow for a transparent migration from their existing IMS solution to Db2, with minimal to no impact on their existing application infrastructure.
The Solution
After several years of the IMS issue being on a list of IT projects to be addressed, it became a priority when key IMS staff members began announcing retirements and asking, “Who should I help train to replace me before I phase out?” So in 2015, the company began exploring the possibility of using an IMS-to-Db2 migration software package from Precisely, a long-time trusted vendor of “sort” technology and related mainframe utilities. Syncsort Optimize IMS is a completely transparent solution to move IBM Information Management System (IMS) and Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) to Db2 on z/OS without requiring any application changes. The company engaged Precisely to run a Proof of Concept (POC) for Syncsort Optimize IMS to get a reliable estimate of expected ROI and ease of migration. The POC was completed in a few weeks and the decision was made to move forward with the Syncsort Optimize IMS implementation.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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