Enhancements To Support Kits

Migration Support Kits (MSK) provides the task level plan for installation and migration of IMS, DB2, CICS TS, MQ for z/OS, and z/OS. These migration kits have been very popular items for clients migrating between versions of the aforementioned software products. The Websphere MQ for z/OS V6.0 MSK has just exited beta test and is now available for all users migrating to Websphere MQ for z/OS V6.0 from V5.2 or V5.3.

We have always provided these kits in either MS Project 98 or HTML format.

The absolute best media is the MS Project format but many users do not have MS Project available to them.

Clients have told us that while the HTML format was quick to view in their browsers, working with the files for changes were cumbersome.

We are now adding the option of ordering your MSK (or CSK*) in EXCEL format. Beta users have told us this file is much easier to view and work with.

If you have an existing MSK in HTML format and would like to try the EXCEL version, contact us at y2kdon@msn.com and we will send you a three-step instruction sheet to move your MSK to EXCEL. The entire process takes less than a minute to perform.

* Conversion Support Kits (CSK) provides the task level plan for conversion actions such as converting CICS/DMS to a modern architecture, converting old COBOL to current supported COBOL, or converting IMS SMU to use an external security manager.

CSKs came into existence because:

1. There are functions and components that are being removed in future versions of IBM products,

2. Addressing these now will enable you to be ready to install new versions of the IBM products quicker,

3. The actions required are considered out side the scope of the installation and migration to the current version of the IBM product. As an example, not doing the changes for IMS SMU while installing IMS version 9 does not affect the ability to use IMS version 9. But it will affect the client’s ability to use IMS Version 10 at some point in the future.

CSKs look and feel like MSKs and provide the same type of task info and links to reference materials.

Additional CSKs will be coming online as we determine the need for such conversion activities.