Posts Tagged ‘software licensing’

What’s the single biggest cost you have as a Mainframe manager? Software licensing costs – the regular costs required to run software, and to get support if it breaks. This article gives ten ways to bring these costs down to earth.

Check you really need it.
Don’t laugh. This sounds obvious, but it’s only too easy for software that is no longer needed to slip through the cracks. For example, you may have some software that was originally needed for CICS applications that have since moved elsewhere.

You may also have software licensed for all z/OS images, but only used on one.

Check you really use it.
As your Mainframe workload changes over time, it’s only too easy for the use of a software product to quietly decline without Mainframe managers noticing. You may be paying thousands of dollars for a product that only a couple of people are actually using.

You need to regularly analyse the usage of your software, and schedule the removal of any software no longer needed.

Check you don’t have two products doing the same thing.
You may use all your software, but have two software products performing the same or similar function. You need to fully understanding your software inventory, and exactly how each product is used.

Investigate sub-capacity pricing.
Most software licensing charges are based on the size of each LPAR running that software – the MSU rating. You can find this value from the IBM website or a program to call IBM’s IWMQVS service.

A few years ago IBM introduced another option: Sub-Capacity Pricing. This is where your software licensing charges are based on your CPU usage, not on your LPAR size. So software running on a lesser-used LPAR will be cheaper. It also makes upgrades easier to justify as you don’t get hit by increased software charges with the larger processor.

IBM isn’t the only vendor offering Sub-Capacity Pricing. Other vendors such as BMC and CA are also jumping on the bandwagon.

Reorganise your LPARs.
Many sites now run at least one ‘capped’ LPAR, meaning that the CPU resources available to it are artificially capped using Workload Manager (WLM). Software that is charged on MSU rating is run in this capped LPAR, reducing costs.

Users of Sub-Capacity pricing may consider doing the opposite: consolidating LPARs. This reduces CPU consumption by reducing the overhead of running a z/OS image.

Investigate similar products.
Compare the price of competing products, and consider moving to cheaper ones. For example, SAS users may consider the SAS replacement product WPS by World Programming.

It’s true that in some cases moving to different products can be very difficult and expensive. However it isn’t necessarily so, and many vendors offer migration tools to ease this pain.

Tune your systems.
Tuning your systems reduces CPU usage (good for Sub-Capacity pricing users), and delays upgrades to larger processors.

Move off the Mainframe.
Mainframe CPU resources are expensive when compared with other platforms. So it may be worth considering migrating some of your workload. For example:

Software products such as Tachyon Assembler Workbench and Microfocus Mainframe Express allow you to perform Mainframe software development on Windows and UNIX platforms.
Some products such as Websphere Enterprise Service Bus and CICS Transaction Gateway daemon run on both z/OS and other platforms.

Some workloads may easily be moved to other platforms. SOA and related services now makes Mainframe services and data easier to access from other platforms.

Upgrade your Mainframe.
For the past couple of zSeries processor generations IBM has been providing a 10% MSU ‘discount’. In other words, a z10 processor will have an MSU rating that is around 10% lower than an equivalent z9 processor. This translates to software license cost savings.

Invest in Speciality Processors.
IBM now offers Speciality Processors such as the Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) and Application Assist Processor (zAAP). These special processors cannot do ‘normal’ work, but can be given specific work by normal Mainframe processors. This can improve the performance of Java applications and other subsystems such as DB2. But the interesting advantage is that the work done by these processors doesn’t count towards your CPU usage if you use Sub-Capacity Pricing.

Many new software products are also off-loading work onto these Speciality Processors, including software from BMC and CA.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that implementing any of these ten methods is a large project, and needs to be performed regularly. However you do have some tools to make this easier.

Usage Software. IBMs Tivoli License Compliance Manager (replacing Isogon SoftAudit for z/OS and Ubiquity Dorana) will automatically list all software installed, who uses it, and how often.
Security Software. Mainframe security software has facilities that can help you track software usage. For example, enabling RACF program control to log access to specific programs can tell you who is using a product, and how often.
IBM. IBM provide a free Sub-Capacity planning tool to help you plan for Sub Capacity licensing.
Software Vendors. Ask them for information about software products you already have, and alternatives they may have for your existing software.

Your Systems Programmer. You secret weapon in the fight against software licensing costs. Systems Programmers install and customise all your z/OS software, so they usually know what it does, and possibly who uses it. They can also setup monitoring to determine who is using which software and how often, and will be your scout when looking for alternative software products and freeware.

So there’s ten ways to reduce software licensing costs. Regularly committing time and resources to managing your software licenses will almost certainly pay big dividends to your Mainframe budget.

David Stephens is a System z Mainframe Technical Specialist with over 18 years experience. He is currently the Lead Systems Programmer with the Australian mainframe consulting company Longpela Expertise http://www.longpelaexpertise.com.au

Author: David Stephens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card

So you’ve made the decision to install a home network and you’re roaring and ready to go with it. But have you done it before? Perhaps the dreams of not fighting over who can go online next, streamlining your office, and sharing files with other computers in your home has you a bit excited. But do you know what type of network is best for you? Do you know the basic principles to installing a network in your home? Do you know how to set up a wireless network? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then perhaps you should read on. Go to software licensing for more information.

Network types

First of all, a network allows you to have multiple computers connected to the same internet connection, share files between the computers in your home, print documents through a printer that is connected to a different computer, and share files that are stored on other computers. It seems like a dream come true, doesn’t it? But what is the best type of network for you? You have to make the decision of whether or not you want a wireless network or a wired network. If you choose wireless, you have to know how to set it up so that all of the computers can talk wirelessly to the network router. If not all of the computers are wireless capable, then you may have to move to a wired network. With a wired network you have to worry about running wire throughout your home or investing in upgrades for your computers to make them wireless.

You also have to know what type of activities you and your family are going to be doing on all of the computers. This is because you want to invest in a router that can handle the load. If the router cannot handle the load, then you’re going to have computers within your home getting booted off of the network.

Network installation

The network installation part can be either easy or complicated. It depends on how you look at it. You have to have an internet connection and you have to know your network type. You also have to know what computers in your home are wireless capable and which are not in case you choose to do the upgrades instead of installing wire throughout your home. If you’re setting up a wireless network, the easiest way to connect is if you have Windows Connect Technology through your Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, or Windows 98/ME. Then again, you could be running a different operating system, which can make setting up your network a bit more difficult than if you were running on a Windows operating system. Refer to Service Agreements for more information.

An alternative

Then again, you could probably save yourself a lot of headaches by hiring a professional to take care of the installation process. A professional will do an assessment to determine what type of equipment you need to give you a network that is complete. If any of your computers need what is called a network adapter to become wireless capable, the installer can help you with that. Once all of the equipment is determined and acquired, the network installer can then run wire or set up your wireless network for you. You’ll be connected in no time and the only thing you have to do is reach in your wallet. Fortunately, home network installation is not an expensive endeavor and it takes a lot off of your mind. You don’t want to buy all of the wrong equipment, hook it up, and then find nothing works. If you’re not sure, turn to a professional so that you know everything is right.
Visit Network Implementation for further information.

Every time a new update is downloaded or new software is added to a computer, the files go directly into the computer registry. Over the lifetime of a computer, the system registry gets packed full of all types of files and downloads, many of which end up being unnecessary when new downloads are complete.

Because of this, a computer can start to run slow and even errors can result, which is why a Microsoft registry fix program is essential for practically every computer. Go to software licensing for more information.

Benefit #1

A Microsoft registry fix program is a great way to keep a computer running like new, even after various updates are completed. It is a program that is installed on any computer run on the Windows program, and it goes to work to get rid of anything and everything that is taking up extra space.

Because the system registry is important for holding all of the essential files for updates and new software, there needs to be plenty of room to hold the files that are needed. Once the Microsoft registry fix program is installed on the computer, it goes to work to clear out the system registry in only a few minutes.

Benefit #2

A Microsoft registry fix program can work in about as little as ten minutes, and it can turn a slow running computer into one that seems brand new. It will get rid of everything from old updates that have occurred, old versions of software that were installed, and even partial downloads or files that are only taking up space.

It knows how to recognize the essential files and software that is necessary for the computer to run, and they are left alone to ensure the computer is able to function properly. Refer to Service Agreements for more information.

Benefit #3

Not only is a Microsoft registry fix program beneficial for speeding up the performance of a computer, but it can help to fix errors and even prevent errors from happening in the future. Some common errors can result when new updates are being installed or new software being added, since the new files can interact with old files that are no longer in use.

By getting rid of the files that are no longer necessary, there is no need to worry about an error occurring when new software or updates are being added to the computer. The Microsoft registry fix program works to get rid of any possible errors that can occur, and even works great if you are experiencing an error when trying to update the software on your PC.

Benefit #4

Just like many other electronics, a computer requires regular maintenance in order to maintain its life. By performing a Microsoft registry fix program on the computer every couple of months; it can keep the computer in perfect working condition. Getting rid of old files, partial downloads, and even old software that was overrun by newer versions, the system registry will be able to fully manage all of the necessary files.

A Microsoft registry fix program is a great accessory for all computer owners, since it helps to keep a computer in perfect working order. It is great for cleaning out the system registry to help the computer run smoothly, and is even great for fixing errors and preventing system registry errors from happening in the future. By performing a Microsoft registry fix program on a regular basis, you can extend the life of your computer and keep it running smooth. Visit Network implementation for further information.