Mainframe Blog

BMC Day One Support of IBM® Db2® 13 for z/OS®: Accelerating Mainframe Transformation

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3 minute read
John McKenny

Data drives the world economy, and organizations of all sizes depend on the power of the mainframe and its readiness as the backbone of data management. A recent Dimensional Research survey, sponsored by BMC, shows that 9 out of 10 enterprises are running business-critical applications on the mainframe. With backend support of web and mobile applications on the rise, nearly two-thirds say that their organization’s use of the mainframe is increasing due to the rising needs around new applications and an increase in transaction volume.

This surge of mainframe use is accompanied by a transformation in the way data is used on the mainframe. The survey shows that for many companies, as data volume grows, so does the complexity of the data stored. The mainframe is evolving into a smarter computing platform, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to rapidly move data and business intelligence in real-time.

It was also found that 98 percent of mainframe professionals believe improvements to Db2® databases are needed, with improved performance and availability, faster disaster recovery, automation of common tasks, and simplified administration among their top concerns. It is timely that IBM has announced not only a next-generation mainframe, IBM® z16™, but also a new release, IBM Db2 13 for z/OS. At the same time, BMC Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) and BMC AMI DevX announce that our entire mainframe portfolio is generally available to support IBM z16 and Db2 13 for z/OS.

When You Are Ready to Migrate to Db2 13 for z/OS – BMC Is There

Our mainframe research shows that 92 percent of respondents see the mainframe as a platform for long-term growth and are prioritizing the implementation of AI and ML. BMC is committed to expanding the use of AI and ML in the BMC AMI portfolio. Over the past year, BMC has worked with IBM to ensure that whether you upgrade to Db2 13 for z/OS immediately or in the future, you can count on the features and reliability of BMC AMI and BMC AMI DevX solutions to meet your needs.

Performance Optimization

BMC AMI Data for Db2® keeps data optimized with no downtime, enabling you to control database maintenance through a centralized, common interface. Intelligent automation improves application performance and enables the performance of reorganizations while utilizing fewer resources.

Faster Recoveries with No Loss of Integrity

Automated backup and recovery tasks allow the quick creation of complete, data-consistent backups with no downtime. Online data migration enables database administrators to back out of database changes, recover forward from a point-in-time copy, or recover into a new table space.

Simplified Database Administration

BMC AMI Data for Db2® simplifies database administration with the automation of common tasks, mitigates and reduces risk with version control and pre-production testing, and enables faster duplication of data with fewer resource demands.

Intelligent Data Management

With a centralized, intelligent architecture, designed to handle the complex problems facing IT today, BMC solutions help keep databases and applications fully available throughout backup, unload, and reorganization, while maintaining data integrity for structured and unstructured data. By leveraging intelligent automation, BMC AMI Data for Db2® also reduces the time and cost of daily database housekeeping operations.

Anticipate SQL Slowdowns

BMC AMI Data for Db2® reduces CPU consumption and increases application efficiency by pinpointing resource-intense SQL without the need to run expensive SQL traces. The ability to anticipate SQL-related slowdowns and diagnose and track performance problems to their source enables faster issue resolution and greater availability.

Test Data Management

Offering developers and database administrators an efficient way to manage Db2 test environments, BMC AMi DevX test data management solutions help organizations advance their digital transformations. BMC AMI DevX File-AID enables users to create and populate test tables that accurately reflect production relationships using a relevant subset of data, without the need to code SQL or write independent programs.

Mainframe Developer Productivity

BMC AMI DevX application development solutions increase developer efficiency by enabling easier issue diagnosis and debugging. BMC AMI DevX Abend-AID helps developers quickly resolve defects by providing valuable information on the abending program’s last Db2 calls, while BMC AMI DevX Code Debug enables developers to debug Db2 stored procedures while also providing debugging assistance for programs that use Db2.

Application Performance Measurement

BMC AMI Strobe enables users to measure and evaluate application performance by identifying the database request modules (DBRMs) and SQL statements that are most active within your Db2 system, so you can detect opportunities to improve efficiency.

Partnering for the Future

As the new IBM z16 and Db2 13 for z/OS enable faster, more powerful data management, BMC stands ready as your partner in digital transformation. BMC AMI and BMC AMI DevX solutions help to make your transition seamless, whether you plan to migrate to the next-generation mainframe and latest Db2 release today or further down the road.

Make change your advantage. Download this eBook and learn how to combine “Dev + DBA + Ops” together for a unified, automated database solution.

Access the 2023 Mainframe Report

The results of the 18th annual BMC Mainframe Survey are in, and the state of the mainframe remains strong. Overall perception of the mainframe is positive, as is the outlook for future growth on the platform, with workloads growing and investment in new technologies and processes increasing.


These postings are my own and do not necessarily represent BMC's position, strategies, or opinion.

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About the author

John McKenny

As SVP and General Manager of Intelligent Z Optimization and Transformation at BMC Software, John leads the R&D, Product Management and Solutions Marketing teams to innovate the mainframe to meet the needs of today’s evolving digital economy. John has over 25 years of management experience at BMC alone and, prior to joining, he led various IT management teams and strategies for 15 years in the transportation and insurance industries.