Obtaining software service over the Internet was improved in z/OS® V1R7 (and in the SMP/E V3R4 product) with the introduction of SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval. Without this function, ordering and obtaining service over the Internet through Shopz involves a number of steps including running an SMP/E job to create an inventory file, initiating a service order transaction on Shopz, uploading the inventory file, waiting for notification that the service package is available, accessing the package on Shopz, and running an SMP/E job to download and process the service package. SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval consolidates these steps into one. You use a new form of the RECEIVE command to run an SMP/E job to place a service order, wait for the IBM® server to fulfill the order, download the service package (which contains PTFs and HOLDDATA), and process its contents, all in one step.

With SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval, you can request service on demand and even automate the service delivery process. For example, you could schedule an SMP/E job to run once a week, or even every night, to order and download the latest HOLDDATA and critical PTF service and have these service updates available exactly when you want.