Mainframe Computing Services

​Mainframe computing services are supported by mainframe computers, data storage devices and a number of special-purpose devices. The mainframe includes hardware and software to ensure data is accurate and available on demand to authorized users. Each data center has redundant power, climate control, card-key access doors, video monitoring and full-time staffing

Standard

Languages & Tools

• BlueZone: Connects to TN3270 server using a TELNET connection and emulates IBM3270 mainframe terminal. It provides full TN3270E protocols, SSL/TLS connection, printer session functionality, and scripting capabilities
• CA-Scheduler: Provides workload automation of traditional job scheduling encompassing online disciplines, integration with business applications and scheduling based on external events
• CICS: Customer Information Control System is a transaction processing system designed for both online and batch processing activity
• DB2: DoIT operates shared database environments using DB2 in the enterprise data center.  State departments access DB2 data using Structured Query Language (SQL) via standard interfaces such as CICS, QMF or call attach.  Remote access is also available via middleware products such as DB@ Connect and QMF for Windows
• ​DB2 Administration Tool: ​Automates routine DBA administration tasks including object change management, security, reporting, data movement and placement
• Debug Tool: Used to examine, monitor and control the execution of C, C+ and Cobol programs
• DFSORT: High-performance sort, merge copy, analysis and reporting product
• Fault Analyzer: Helps to identify, analyze and fix the problems associated with failing applications
• File Manager: Toolset for working with mainframe datasets and DBS and CICS data
• Finalist: ​Finalist is an address cleansing tool used mainly in batch processing.  The address file is run through Code 1 and cleansed for mailings.  This tool can also be used through interactive processing in CICS
• FTP: ​FTP uses TCP/IP as a standard way of transferring files across the Internet and between computers 
• ​FTPS: ​SSH is a security protocol for logging onto a remote that provides an encrypted session for transferring files and executing server programs
• IBM® Content Manager®: ​Provides a robust and flexible, fully-featured enterprise content management solution.  Content Manager® enables you to easily manage your growing volume of enterprise content that is required to run your business and support critical decisions.  It offers a centrally-provisioned, secure and scalable foundation designed to address full content management and workflow requirements for all content types across the enterprise
• IMS: ​Information Management System is a message-based transaction manager and hierarchical-database manager for z/OS designed for both online and batch processing activity
• ISPF: ​A panel application navigated by keyboard that includes a text editor and browser and functions for locating and listing files and performing other utility functions
• JCL: Job Control Language to manage the production control for mainframe programs
• ​Language Environment: ​This provides a common environment for all language environment-conforming high-level language (HLL) products
• Mobius: Comprehensive report-management viewing, archival and print distribution system covering every aspect of report life cycle
• Netview Access Services: ​Allows customers to simultaneously log on to multiple applications (CICS, TSO, etc.) without logging on and off
• ​Omegamon for DB2: ​Insight is an interactive performance monitor that enables the user to specify a DB2 subsystem to monitor including system summary, active threads, system activity review, user activity review and user activity trace
• QMF: ​QMF Enterprise Edition allows easy-to-use visual query building that enables users of all skill levels to easily create their own reports accessing DB2
• TSO: ​Allows customers to create an interactive session with the mainframe
• UNIX Systems: UNIX on the mainframe utilizing the Java programming language
• ​VPS: ​This feature is the basis for a total print serving solution for the z/OS environment.  Delivers improved efficiency with the flexibility for high volume, high-speed printing from anywhere in the network​
• WebSphere MQ for z/OS: Middleware used for messaging and queuing that enables programs to communicate with each other across a network of unlike components such as processors, subsystems, operating systems and communication protocols

 Programming Languages

• Enterprise Cobol
• Assembler
• Java: a programming language used primarily with UNIX system services
• C/C++ 

Non-Standard

• ​Business process development or validation
• ​Application maintenance or troubleshooting
• ​Business continuity or resumption plans​

 Peripheral Services

• Service provisioning and implementation
• Incident resolution
• Routine maintenance
• Develop policy and enforce implementation processes to manage changes to enterprise systems
• ​Develop and enforce facility security policy
• ​Coordinate the monthly mainframe maintenance if necessary
• ​Monitor the mainframe to anticipate and identify problems with mainframe hardware, software, resources or configuration
• ​​Select, install, maintain and pay for all mainframe hardware. DoIT will develop the architecture for mainframe components and for the connection between the mainframe and other computer systems 
• ​​Install, configure, patch, and pay for all software that has statewide use.  Departments will pay for software that serves only one Department
• ​​Manage data replication
• ​Maintain multiple data centers at industry Tier 3 data center characteristics to include; power, climate and physical data and network security
• ​Configure mainframe systems to ensure appropriate segregation of data
• Ensure that all active media is physically secure
• Ensure accountability of tapes that leave either data center
• Ensure that old media is destroyed in a way that no data is lost through mishandling of media.  Document the destruction of all media

• ​Develop and implement agency governance to ensure staff compliance with DoIT incident reporting and request requirements
• Comply with DoIT change policy and processes​​
• ​​Specify data backup and retention requirements 
• ​Specify processing, availability and access requirements
• ​​Identify disaster recovery (DR) strategies which incorporate business continuity using best practices in order to provide DR solutions.
• Test recovery of application data.
• Develop and monitor application data backup schedules.
• Ensure efficient application development best practices to reduce costs.
• Engage DoIT early in the application planning stages.
• Develop long-term evolution projections during the initial application planning.
• Assist DoIT with long-term capacity planning - maintaining good communications with DoIT concerning application initiatives and agency business planning

Service Fullfillment/Provisioning
Staff will respond to service requests during the published business hours. DoIT targets to provision this service within 4 hours.

Incident Response and Resolution
All incidents reported DoIT will be captured in the DoIT service management ticketing system and addressed according to the Incident Management Guidelines.