IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS, V8.6 delivers enhanced decision management and enriched validation and deployment capabilities within the Business Console
IBM United States Software Announcement 214-137April 22, 2014
ENUS214-137.PDF
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| At a glance |
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IBM® Operational Decision Manager (IBM ODM) for z/OS®, V8.6 delivers new and enhanced capabilities, plus additional deployment options:
- Enables decision reuse that spans supported languages to deliver consistent business behavior enterprise-wide.
- Expands zRES deployment options for improved workload performance.
- Delivers a new unit of rule management, the decision service, that enables governed rule deployment by business and IT participants from within the Business Console.
- Allows business users to verify and validate rule changes by defining and running test suites inside the Business Console.
- Offers greater deployment opportunities with additional support for:
- IBM DB2® V11
- Eclipse 4.2.2
For ordering, contact your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: LE001).
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| Overview |
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IBM Operational Decision Manager (IBM ODM) for z/OS, V8.6 provides a comprehensive, easy-to-use platform for capturing, automating and governing frequently occurring, repeatable business decisions. Organizations that utilize IBM ODM can make decisions faster. They can better respond to market demands, minimize risks, and seize opportunities.
IBM ODM helps organizations in virtually every industry to improve the quality of transaction and process-related decisions that are made repeatedly and to determine appropriate course of action for customers, partners, and internal interactions by:
- Encouraging reuse of decisions across Java™, COBOL, and PL/I business applications
- Improving performance of decision calls, especially in z/OS batch environments
- Simplifying the configuration of decision servers in Java Standard Edition environments
- Making it easier to track and analyze decision server calls that are deployed in z/OS environments
- Automating and governing operational decision-making across business processes and applications to help improve business insight and business outcomes
- Helping detect opportunities and risks in real time
- Easily and consistently helping business stakeholders to implement, test and deploy decision changes to meet new market demands or policy requirements
- Understanding how business decisions that drive operations are made
- Applying decisions consistently across applications
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| Key prerequisites |
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IBM System z® processor, which includes z10™, zEnterprise®, or an equivalent hardware server that is capable of running z/OS V2.1 or z/OS 1.12, or later.
For details, refer to the Hardware requirements and Software requirements sections.
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| Planned availability date |
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June 20, 2014
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| Description |
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The ability to effectively automate decision making within and across business systems helps maximize organizational efficiency. This efficiency can be accomplished by helping to increase employee productivity, and improve the quality of actions that are made repeatedly in the course of the business day. In many cases, the ability to make the best decision at a given moment requires an understanding of a number of different factors:
- Business policies and regulations
- Internal and external requirements
- Organizational best practices
- Interactions taking place over time and across the enterprise
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 helps address decision-automation challenges by enabling organizations to build highly flexible, adaptable solutions that can detect and react to threats and opportunities and quickly adapt to changing business conditions. IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 provides extended control to stakeholders to help manage the automated decisions for which they are responsible. IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 enables business policy updates to be more easily managed and governed.
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6
- Encourages reuse of decisions across Java, COBOL, and PL/I business applications.
Allows you to express business decisions in a consistent, visible and comprehensible fashion is at the heart of what Decision Management offers. IBM ODM V8.6 brings that goal closer to practical reality. With this new release, you can express decisions using a common vocabulary and data context that can be used by business applications written in Java, COBOL, and PL/I. This eliminates the need for language-specific-decision variations and encourages reuse of well-crafted expressions of business decisions across the enterprise. This allows for consistent application of business policy that is visible, understandable and agile.
- Improves performance of decision calls, especially in z/OS batch environments.
A major amount of the work that supports today's businesses is handled in the batch execution environments that are offered on z/OS systems. It is crucial that business decisions made in batch are as fast and efficient as they are in the transaction environments such as CICS® and IMS™. IBM ODM V8.6 includes a number of improvements to deliver the kind of performance at scale that is necessary to support a client's batch workload. For example, IBM improved the path from the application to the zRule Execution Servers and back. This reduces the amount of work that has to stay in general purpose processors.
- Simplifies the configuration of decision servers in Java Standard Edition environments.
Because there is a significant amount of work on z/OS systems that runs in the Java Standard Edition environment, IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 offers a few improvements to make using a zRES for the Java workload more practical. IBM extended the control card style configuration facilities introduced in IBM ODM V8.5 to include a batch type. This can create the JCL and configuration information to bring up a zRES in a Java SE environment with the correct settings.
- Makes it easier to track and analyze decision server calls deployed in z/OS environments.
The ability to track the decision calls made to decision servers deployed throughout the z/OS environment by using z/OS Systems Management Facilities (SMF), was introduced in IBM ODM V8.5.1. In Version 8.6, IBM provides a sample that shows how to organize this SMF data into a Comma Separated Value (.CSV) file that is well suited for use with spreadsheet programs. This enables creative and power analysis of this information for diagnostic and even charge back purposes.
- An end-to-end rule change management supports the Business Console.
The new decision service comes with deployment configurations, allowing rule changes to be deployed by business users for better testing and impact analysis. Several deployment configurations can now be defined for the same decision service supporting various testing and deployment scenarios. Users can simply define precisely what rule projects to deploy and on what execution environment. With this new deployment option, business users can manage decision updates end-to-end from the Business Console.
- A new decision service simplifies rule deployment and governance.
Decision services is a new management unit that allows complex decisions involving several rules projects to be managed as a single entity. Decisions services strengthens the governance of rule deployment through new rule deployment artifacts, manageable across both business and IT environments.
- Business users can define and execute test suites inside the Business Console.
IBM ODM V8.6, helps business users to easily and rapidly test and validate rules updates with minimum support from technical teams. A new interface in the Business Console enables users to define and execute their own tests suites with full autonomy. Users can rapidly perform rule validation at any stage of the update process starting from a simple rule change until the final release validation. This new Business Console testing capability enables business users to immediately isolate issues and report them to the correct stakeholder in a minimal time frame.
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 consists of several orderable products, which together form a comprehensive platform for the management and execution of business rules and business events:
- Decision Center for z/OS, V8.6.
Provides an integrated repository and management components for line-of-business, subject-matter experts to directly participate in the definition and governance of rules-based decision logic. Through the capabilities of Decision Center, which includes the Business Console, business and IT functions can work collaboratively to align the entire organization in the implementation of automated decisions and to accelerate the maintenance lifecycle as they evolve based on new external and internal requirements.
- Decision Server for z/OS, V8.6.
Provides the run-time and development components to automate decision logic. It enables the detection of actionable business situations and the response of precise decisions based on the specific context of an interaction. With Decision Server, organizations can monitor a business network to discover and take action on event-based data patterns, as well as process information against hundreds or even thousands of business rules to determine how to respond within both front-end systems and back-end systems.
Decision Server for z/OS provides specific runtime options that are designed to handle the unique aspects of business rule and business event execution. For business rule execution, three, separate run-time options are provided, to allow development teams to choose a deployment strategy that best fits their mainframe applications and architecture.
A separate product offering, IBM Business Rules for z/OS, provides the same business-rule-execution capabilities that are packaged within Decision Server for z/OS to improve automation and maintainability of rule-based decision logic. Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 provides the business-rules-specific, run-time components of Decision Server, for applications that are focused on decision automation and do not require event-based data pattern detection. Three, different rule-execution options are provided to allow development teams to build business rule solutions that meet the specific needs of their mainframe applications and architecture.
IBM ODM provides the ability to intelligently automate a wide range of decisions across business processes and applications. Some examples of these kinds of decision-management applications include:
- Product and promotional offers
- Eligibility and pricing determinations
- Case and customer prioritizations
- Risk assessments and fraud determinations
IBM ODM helps organizations adapt quickly to changing conditions, align across business and IT, and act with precision and reliability. It provides visibility to achieve clearer line of sight to business operations, collaboration capabilities to help foster cross-functional and cross-divisional outcomes, and built-in governance to align business operations with strategic intent in the face of change.
Accessibility by people with disabilities
A US Section 508 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) containing details on accessibility compliance can be requested at
Value Unit-based pricing
Value Unit pricing for eligible IBM System z IBM International Program License Agreement (IPLA) programs enables a lower cost of incremental growth and enterprise aggregation. Each System z IPLA product with Value Unit pricing has a single price per Value Unit and a conversion matrix, called Value Unit Exhibit, for converting from some designated measurement to Value Units. Most commonly, Millions of Service Units (MSUs) is the measurement designated by IBM to be converted to Value Units. Some other measurements are engines or messages. Since MSUs are the most common measurement, that measurement will be used for the remainder of this description.
Value Unit pricing offers price benefits for you. For each System z IPLA program with Value Unit pricing, the quantity of that program needed to satisfy applicable IBM terms and conditions is referred to as the required license capacity . Each of the various Value Unit Exhibits stipulate that the larger your required license capacity, the fewer Value Units per MSU you will need. Value Unit Exhibits are uniquely identified by a three digit code and referred to using the nomenclature VUExxx, where xxx is the three digit code.
Subsequent acquisitions of Value Unit priced programs offer additional price benefits. The quantity of each System z IPLA program that you have acquired is referred to as entitled license capacity . If you wish to grow your entitled license capacity for a System z IPLA program, the calculation to determine additional needed Value Units is based upon the number of Value Units already acquired.
For each System z IPLA program with Value Unit pricing, you should:
- Determine the required license capacity, in MSUs
- Aggregate the MSUs across the enterprise
- Convert the total MSUs to Value Units, using the applicable Value Unit Exhibit
- Multiply the price per Value Unit by the total number of Value Units to determine the total cost
To simplify conversion from the designated measurement to Value Units or vice-versa, use the Value Unit Converter Tool. For additional information or to obtain a copy of the Value Unit Converter Tool, visit the Value Unit Converter Tool website
Note that Value Units of a given product cannot be exchanged, interchanged, or aggregated with Value Units of another product.
To determine the required license capacity for the System z IPLA program you selected, refer to the Terms and conditions section.
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| Product positioning |
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Decision management is an approach that combines software and expertise to increase the value of the frequent customer, partner, and internal interactions that take place within and across business systems. It involves helping you make the best possible decision at the current moment based on data and situational context, as well as enabling you to use data to discover insights that can be used to continually improve decisions over time.
These decisions may be fully automated (for example, through an online application or a self-service, point-of-sale system) or they may be used to provide decision support to people (for example, through a system used at a call center, branch or store location, or in the back office).
There are two primary technology areas that fit within the decision management concept:
- Operational decision management. Focuses on the automation and governance of frequently occurring, repeatable decisions that control the actions of critical business systems. The principal IBM mainframe offering in this area is IBM ODM for z/OS.
- Analytic decision management. Focuses on the transformation of data into predictive insight and prescriptive recommendations that can be utilized to improve repeatable decisions. The principal IBM offering in this area is IBM SPSS® Decision Management.
While these two technology areas are highly complementary, they can be used separately or together as part of a decision management solution. Each area brings a different focus to improving process and transactional decisions.
IBM ODM for z/OS provides the ability to intelligently automate a wide range of decisions across business processes and applications. It unites IBM capabilities for business rules management and business event processing in order to drive more responsive actions to business opportunities or risk conditions. By enhancing the IBM business rules repository to also govern event-based decisions, IBM ODM for z/OS helps provide organizations with the comprehensive capabilities needed to define, govern, and maintain the logic that will help drive the actions of critical business systems.
IBM ODM for z/OS lets business users test rule changes and to design test scenarios against their z/OS structures to validate the business rule changes prior to deployment. It strengthens simulation analysis enabling use with z/OS file structures. It streamlines the decision development experience for z/OS developers and allows them to deploy a decision-based solution with fewer new (Java) skills required.
In addition, a standard API for COBOL and PL/I applications is provided to invoke rules independent of the Decision Server deployment in use. CICS, IMS, and z/OS batch applications are enabled to invoke rules from zRule Execution Server.
The configuration options include the capability to use the Decision Engine as the Rule Execution Server (RES) on WebSphere® Application Server for z/OS, via a WebSphere Optimized Local Adapter connector, as well as in the zRule Execution Server (zRES) in z/OS or CICS.
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| Reference information |
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For additional information on IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.5.1 and Business Rules for z/OS, V8.5.1, refer to Software Announcement 213-408, dated October 01, 2013.
For additional information on IBM ODM V8.6, refer to Software Announcement 214-147, dated April 22, 2014.
For additional information on IBM ODM V8.5.1, refer to Software Announcement 213-411, dated October 01, 2013.
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| Availability of national languages |
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Description Availability date Language
IBM Operational June 20, 2014 Multilingual -
Decision Manager Chinese Simplified
for z/OS V8.6 Chinese Traditional
Dutch
English U.S.
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese Brazilian
Russian
Spanish
IBM Business Rules June 20, 2014 Multilingual -
for z/OS V8.6 Chinese Simplified
Chinese Traditional
Dutch
English U.S.
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese Brazilian
Russian
Spanish
For the current list of supported languages, visit
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| Program number |
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Program Program number VRM name 5655-Y17 8.6.0 IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS 5655-Y31 8.6.0 IBM Business Rules for z/OS
Product identification number
IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS, V8.6
Subscription and Program PID number Support PID number 5655-Y17 5655-Y08
IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6
Subscription and Program PID number Support PID number 5655-Y31 5655-ILH
Business Partner information
If you are a Direct Reseller - System Reseller acquiring products from IBM, you may link directly to Business Partner information for this announcement. A PartnerWorld® ID and password are required (use IBM ID).
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| Additional information |
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Consulting and services
Professional Services are available to help clients get into production quickly and, if desirable, to assist with planning and growing into full-blown business integration solutions. These services can be provided through our IBM Business Partner community or through IBM Global Services.
To contact a Software Services sales specialist, visit
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| Education support |
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Education is a key component to ensuring software success. IBM creates a comprehensive portfolio of education material to help customers successfully deploy IBM software products to their maximum potential. The IBM education team is committed to providing the highest quality education content available to help your organization prosper in today's competitive marketplace.
The IBM education team works closely with IBM product developers and IBM services organizations to ensure that the courses we offer provide the most current technical and product information. Our courses place an emphasis on the advanced knowledge and insight that only these sources can provide. We draw from a deep pool of IBM technical experience in the development of our courses, and pass that knowledge on to our students. Our courses emphasize hands on labs to develop comprehensive skills in using the product to solve business problems. The education offerings from IBM Training span the spectrum of skill needs, from introductory product overviews to advanced programming and product administration courses.
Role-based, training paths can be found at
The delivery of IBM education is provided by IBM Global Training Partners.
For more information about available education offerings, search on the product name at
For building skills for a smarter planet, visit
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| Offering Information |
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Product information is available via the Offering Information website
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| Publications |
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The following publications are shipped with this program:
Title Order number IBM Operation Decision Manager for z/OS, V8.6 GI11-9605 - Program Directory IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 GI11-9606 - Program Directory
Effective 6 June 2014, the English and national language versions of the IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 documentation are available in IBM Knowledge Center
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| Technical information |
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Specified operating environment
Hardware requirements
IBM System z processor, including IBM System z10®, IBM zEnterprise, or an equivalent hardware server that is capable of running z/OS V2.1 or z/OS 1.12, or later.
Software requirements
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 supports the following:
- z/OS V2.1, or later
- z/OS V1.12, or later
Visit the following website for a complete detailed list of hardware and software requirements for IBM Decision Server for z/OS, V8.6 IBM Decision Center for z/OS, V8.6, and IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6
The program's specifications and specified operating environment information may be found in documentation accompanying the program, if available, such as a readme file, or other information published by IBM, such as an announcement letter. Documentation and other program content may be supplied only in the English language.
Limitations
Refer to Usage restriction section in the Terms and conditions section of this announcement, or to the License Information document that is available on the IBM Software License Agreement website
IBM Electronic Support
The IBM Support Portal is your gateway to technical support. This includes IBM Electronic Support tools and resources, for software and hardware, to help save time and simplify support. The Electronic Support tools can help you find answers to questions, download fixes, troubleshoot, automate data collection, submit and track problems through the Service Request online tool, and build skills. All these tools are made available through your IBM support agreement, at no additional charge. Read about the Electronic Support portfolio of tools
Access the IBM Support Portal
Access the online Service Request tool
Planning information
Direct customer support
Direct customer support is provided by IBM Operational Support Services - SoftwareXcel. This fee service enhances your productivity by providing voice and electronic access into the IBM support organization. IBM Operational Support Services - SoftwareXcel helps answer questions pertaining to usage and suspected software defects for eligible products.
Installation and technical support is provided by Global Services. For more information call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).
For technical support or assistance, contact your IBM representative, IBM Business Partner, or visit
Packaging
The IBM Decision Server for z/OS, V8.6 product package includes the following:
- 3590 tape
- Decision Server Windows™ DVDs
- License Information for Operational Decision Server for z/OS (GC34-2740)
- Program Directory - IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS, V8.6 (GI11-9605)
- Program Directory - WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V8.5 (GI11-9488)
The IBM Decision Center for z/OS, V8.6 product package includes the following:
- 3590 tape
- Decision Center Windows DVD
- License Information for Operational Decision Center for z/OS V8.5.1 (GC34-2739)
- Program Directory - IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS, V8.6 (GI11-9605)
- Program Directory - WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V8.5 (GI11-9488)
The IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 product package includes the following:
- 3590 tape
- IBM Business Rules Decision Server Windows DVDs
- License Information for IBM Business Rules for z/OS (GC34-2741)
- Program Directory - IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 (GI11-9606)
- Program Directory - WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V8.5 (GI11-9488)
This program, when downloaded from a website, contains the applicable IBM license agreement and License Information, if appropriate, and will be presented for acceptance at the time of installation of the program. For future reference, the license and License Information will be stored in a directory such as LICENSE.TXT.
Security, auditability, and control
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 and IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 use the security and auditability features of the host software. The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.
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| Software Services |
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IBM Software Services has the breadth, depth, and reach to manage your services needs. You can leverage the deep technical skills of our lab-based, software services team and the business consulting, project management, and infrastructure expertise of our IBM Global Services team. Also, we extend our IBM Software Services reach through IBM Business Partners to provide an extensive portfolio of capabilities. Together, we provide the global reach, intellectual capital, industry insight, and technology leadership to support a wide range of critical business needs.
To learn more about IBM Software Services or to contact a Software Services sales specialist, visit
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| Ordering information |
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Ordering z/OS through the Internet
Shopz provides an easy way to plan and order your z/OS ServerPac or CBPDO. It will analyze your current installation, determine the correct product migration, and present your new configuration based on z/OS. Additional products can also be added to your order (including determination of whether all product requisites are satisfied). Shopz is available in the US and several countries in Europe. In countries where Shopz is not available yet, contact your IBM representative (or IBM Business Partner) to handle your order via the traditional IBM ordering process. For more details and availability, visit the Shopz website at
5655-Y17 IBM Operational Decision Manager
for z/OS, V8.6
5655-Y08 IBM Operational Decision Manager for z/OS
Software Subscription and Support
5655-Y31 IBM Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6
5655-ILH IBM Business Rules for z/OS
Software Subscription and Support
Charge metric
Program name PID number Charge metric IBM Operational Decision 5655-Y17 Value Unit Manager for z/OS, V8.6 IBM Business Rules 5655-Y31 Value Unit for z/OS, V8.6
The programs in this announcement all have Value Unit-based pricing.
Program
number Program name Value Unit exhibit
5655-Y17 IBM Operational VUE007
Decision Manager
for z/OS, V8.6
5655-Y31 IBM Business Rules VUE007
for z/OS, V8.6
For each System z IPLA program with Value Unit pricing, the quantity of that program needed to satisfy applicable IBM terms and conditions is referred to as the required license capacity . Your required license capacity is based upon the following factors:
- The System z IPLA program you select
- The applicable Value Unit Exhibit
- The applicable terms
- Whether your current mainframes are full capacity or sub-capacity
Value Unit exhibit VUE007
MSUs MSUs
minimum maximum Value Units/MSU
Base 1 3 1
Tier A 4 45 0.45
Tier B 46 175 0.36
Tier C 176 315 0.27
Tier D 316 + 0.2
Ordering example
The total number of Value Units is calculated according to the following example.
If your required license capacity is 1,500 MSUs for your selected System z IPLA product, the applicable Value Units would be:
Translation from MSUs to Value Units
MSUs * Value Units/MSU = Value Units
Base 3 * 1.00 = 3.00
Tier A 42 * .45 = 18.90
Tier B 130 * .36 = 46.80
Tier C 140 * .27 = 37.80
Tier D 1,185 * .20 = 237.00
Total 1,500 343.50
When calculating the total number of Value Units, the sum is to be rounded up to the next integer.
Basic license
Ordering information for On/Off CoD remains unchanged. Refer to IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.5.1 Software Announcement 213-408, dated October 01, 2013.
Ordering information remains unchanged. Refer to IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.5.1 Software Announcement 213-408, dated October 01, 2013.
Subscription and Support
To receive voice technical support via telephone and future releases and versions at no additional charge, Subscription and Support must be ordered. The capacity of Subscription and Support (Value Units) must be the same as the capacity ordered for the product licenses.
To order, specify the Subscription and Support program number (PID) referenced above and the appropriate license or charge option.
IBM is also providing Subscription and Support for these products via a separately purchased offering under the terms of the IBM International Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance. This offering:
- Includes and extends the support services provided in the base support to include technical support via telephone.
- Entitles you to future releases and versions, at no additional charge. Note that you are not entitled to new products.
When Subscription and Support is ordered, the charges will automatically renew annually unless cancelled by you.
The combined effect of the IPLA license and the Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance gives you rights and support services comparable to those under the traditional ICA S/390® and System z license or its equivalent. To ensure that you continue to enjoy the level of support you are used to in the ICA business model, you must order both the license for the program and the support for the selected programs at the same Value Unit quantities.
Customized Offerings
Product deliverables are shipped only via CBPDO and ServerPac. These customized offerings are offered for Internet delivery in countries where ShopzSeries product ordering is available. Internet delivery reduces software delivery time and allows you to install software without the need to handle tapes. For more details on Internet delivery, refer to the Shopz help information at
You choose the delivery method when you order the software. IBM recommends Internet delivery. In addition to Internet and DVD, the supported tape delivery options include:
- 3590
- 3592
Most products can be ordered in ServerPac the month following their availability in CBPDO. z/OS can be ordered via CBPDO and ServerPac at general availability. Many products will also be orderable in a Product ServerPac without also having to order the z/OS operating system or subsystem.
Shopz and CFSW will determine the eligibility based on product requisite checking. For more details on the product ServerPac, visit the Help section on the Shopz website at
For additional information on the Product ServerPac option, refer to Software Announcement 212-272, dated July 31, 2012.
Production of software product orders will begin on the planned general availability date.
- CBPDO shipments will begin one week after general availability.
- ServerPac shipments will begin two weeks after general availability.
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| Terms and conditions |
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The information provided in this announcement letter is for reference and convenience purposes only. The terms and conditions that govern any transaction with IBM are contained in the applicable contract documents such as the IBM International Program License Agreement, IBM International Passport Advantage® Agreement, and the IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance.
Licensing
IBM International Program License Agreement including the License Information document and Proof of Entitlement (PoE) govern your use of the program. PoEs are required for all authorized use.
Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance
The following agreement applies for Software Subscription and Support (Software Maintenance) and does not require customer signatures:
- IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance (Z125-6011)
These programs are licensed under the IBM Program License Agreement (IPLA) and the associated Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance, which provide for support with ongoing access to releases and versions of the program. These programs have a one-time license charge for use of the program and an annual renewable charge for the enhanced support that includes telephone assistance (voice support for defects during normal business hours), as well as access to updates, releases, and versions of the program as long as support is in effect.
IBM System z Operational Support Services - SoftwareXcel is an option if you desire added services.
License Information number
IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6:
Program name LI number Decision Center for z/OS, V8.6 L-ASAY-9G7HNF Decision Server for z/OS, V8.6 L-ASAY-9G7HQB Business Rules for z/OS, V8.6 L-ASAY-9G7HR6
The program's License Information will be available for review on the IBM Software License Agreement website
Limited warranty applies
Yes
Limited warranty
IBM warrants that when the program is used in the specified operating environment, it will conform to its specifications. The warranty applies only to the unmodified portion of the program. IBM does not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation of the program or that IBM will correct all program defects. You are responsible for the results obtained from the use of the program.
IBM provides you with access to IBM databases containing information on known program defects, defect corrections, restrictions, and bypasses at no additional charge. For further information, consult the IBM Software Support Handbook found at
IBM will maintain this information for at least one year after the original licensee acquires the program (warranty period).
Program support
Enhanced support, called Subscription and Support, includes telephone assistance, as well as access to updates, releases, and versions of the program as long as support is in effect. You will be notified of discontinuance of support with 12 months' notice.
Money-back guarantee
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the program and you are the original licensee, you may obtain a refund of the amount you paid for it, if within 30 days of your invoice date you return the program and its PoE to the party from whom you obtained it. If you downloaded the program, you may contact the party from whom you acquired it for instructions on how to obtain the refund.
For clarification, note that for programs acquired under any of IBM's On/Off Capacity on Demand (On/Off CoD) software offerings, this term does not apply since these offerings apply to programs already acquired and in use by you.
Volume orders (IVO)
No
Passport Advantage applies
No
Usage restriction
Yes
Usage is limited to the quantity of Value Units licensed.
For additional information, refer to the License Information document that is available on the IBM Software License Agreement website
Software Subscription and Support applies
Yes. During the S&S period, for the unmodified portion of a Program, and to the extent problems can be recreated in the specified operating environment, IBM will provide the following:
- Defect correction information, a restriction, or a bypass.
- Program updates: Periodic releases of collections of code corrections, fixes, functional enhancements and new versions and releases to the Program and documentation.
- Technical assistance: A reasonable amount of remote assistance via telephone or electronically to address suspected Program defects. Technical assistance is available from the IBM support center in the Customer's geography.
Additional details regarding Technical Assistance, that includes IBM contact information, are provided in the IBM Software Support Handbook at
S&S does not include assistance for:
- The design and development of applications
- Customer's use of Programs in other than their specified operating environment, or
- Failures caused by products for which IBM is not responsible under the IBM Agreement for Acquisition of Software Maintenance.
S&S is provided only if the Program is within its support timeframe as specified in the Software Support Lifecycle policy for the Program.
IBM Operational Support Services - SoftwareXcel
Yes
Other support
SoftwareXcel
System i® Software Maintenance applies
No
Variable charges apply
No
Educational allowance available
Yes. A 15% education allowance applies to qualified education institution customers.
Sub-capacity terms and conditions
For each System z IPLA program with Value Unit pricing, the quantity of that program needed to satisfy applicable IBM terms and conditions is referred to as the required license capacity. Your required license capacity is based upon the following factors:
- The System z IPLA program you select
- The applicable Value Unit Exhibit
- The applicable terms
- Whether your current mainframes are full capacity or sub-capacity
For more information on the Value Unit Exhibit for the System z IPLA program you selected, refer to the Ordering information section.
Program Parent,
number Program name Terms if applicable
5655-Y17 IBM Operational Execution based NA
Decision
Manager
for z/OS, V8.6
5655-Y31 IBM Business Execution based NA
Rules for z/OS,
V8.6
Full-capacity mainframes
In cases where full capacity is applicable, the following terms apply.
Execution based, z/OS based, full machine based: The required capacity of a System z IPLA program with these terms equals the MSU-rated capacity of the machines where the System z IPLA program executes.
For more information on mainframe MSU-rated capacities, visit
Reference based: The required license capacity of a System z IPLA program with these terms equals the license capacity of the applicable monthly license charge (MLC) program. This MLC program is called the parent program.
Sub-capacity mainframes
In cases where sub-capacity is applicable, the following terms apply.
Execution based: The required capacity of a System z IPLA sub-capacity program with these terms equals the capacity of the LPARs where the System z IPLA program executes.
z/OS based: The required license capacity of a System z IPLA program with these terms equals the license capacity of z/OS on the machines where the System z IPLA program executes.
Reference based: The required license capacity of a System z IPLA program with these terms equals the license capacity of the applicable monthly license charge (MLC) program. This MLC program is called the parent program.
Full machine based: The required license capacity of a System z IPLA program with full machine based terms equals the MSU-rated capacity of the machines where the System z IPLA program executes.
For more information on mainframe MSU-rated capacities, refer to The IBM System z Machines Exhibit , Z125-3901, or visit the Mainframes section of the System z Exhibits website.
For additional information for products with reference-based terms, System z IPLA sub-capacity programs with reference-based terms adds value to the parent program across the environment, regardless of where in the environment the System z IPLA program executes.
An environment is defined as either a single or stand-alone machine or a qualified Parallel Sysplex®. You may have one or more different environments across the enterprise. To determine the required license capacity for each System z IPLA program with referenced-based terms, each environment should be assessed separately.
When a System z IPLA sub-capacity program with reference-based terms is used in a qualified Parallel Sysplex environment, the required license capacity of the System z IPLA program must equal with the license capacity of the parent program across the Parallel Sysplex. Qualified Parallel Sysplex refers to one:
- Where MLC pricing is aggregated across the sysplex
Sub-capacity eligibility
To be eligible for sub-capacity charging on select System z IPLA programs, you must first implement and comply with all terms of either sub-capacity Workload License Charges (WLC) or sub-capacity Entry Workload License Charges (EWLC). To implement sub-capacity WLC or EWLC, a machine must be System z (or equivalent). On that machine:
- All instances of the OS/390® operating system must be migrated to the z/OS operating systems.
- Any licenses for the OS/390 operating system must be discontinued.
- All instances of the z/OS operating systems must be running in z/Architecture® (64-bit) mode.
For that machine, you must create and submit a Sub-Capacity Report to IBM each month. Sub-Capacity Reports must be generated using the Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT). For additional information or to obtain a copy of SCRT, visit the System z Software Pricing website
You must comply with all of the terms of the WLC or EWLC offering, whichever is applicable:
- The complete terms and conditions of sub-capacity WLC are defined in the IBM Customer Agreement - Attachment for System z Workload License Charges (Z125-6516).
- The complete terms and conditions for sub-capacity EWLC are defined in the IBM Customer Agreement - Attachment for EWLC, TWLC, zELC, and z/OS.e License Charges (Z125-6587).
Additionally, you must sign and comply with the terms and conditions specified in the amendment to the IPLA contract - Amendment for IBM System z Programs Sub-Capacity Pricing (Z125-6929). Once the amendment is signed, the terms in the amendment replace any and all previous System z IPLA sub-capacity terms and conditions.
Sub-capacity utilization determination
Sub-capacity utilization is determined based on the product's own execution as reported to IBM in accordance with the requirements for reporting sub-capacity utilization for products.
On/Off Capacity on Demand (CoD)
To be eligible for On/Off CoD pricing, you must be enabled for temporary capacity on the corresponding hardware, and the required contract, Attachment for IBM System z On/Off Capacity on Demand (Z125-7883) must be signed prior to use.
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| Statement of good security practices |
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IT system security involves protecting systems and information through prevention, detection, and response to improper access from within and outside your enterprise. Improper access can result in information being altered, destroyed, or misappropriated or can result in misuse of your systems to attack others. Without a comprehensive approach to security, no IT system or product should be considered completely secure and no single product or security measure can be completely effective in preventing improper access. IBM systems and products are designed to be part of a comprehensive security approach, which will necessarily involve additional operational procedures, and may require other systems, products, or services to be most effective. IBM does not warrant that systems and products are immune from the malicious or illegal conduct of any party.
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| IBM Electronic Services |
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Electronic Service Agent™ and the IBM Electronic Support web portal are dedicated to providing fast, exceptional support to IBM Systems customers. The IBM Electronic Service Agent tool is a no-additional-charge tool that proactively monitors and reports hardware events, such as system errors, performance issues, and inventory. The Electronic Service Agent tool can help you stay focused on your company's strategic business initiatives, save time, and spend less effort managing day-to-day IT maintenance issues. Servers enabled with this tool can be monitored remotely around the clock by IBM Support, all at no additional cost to you.
Now integrated into the base operating system of AIX® V5.3, AIX V6.1, and AIX V7.1, Electronic Service Agent is designed to automatically and electronically report system failures and utilization issues to IBM, which can result in faster problem resolution and increased availability. System configuration and inventory information collected by the Electronic Service Agent tool also can be viewed on the secure Electronic Support web portal, and used to improve problem determination and resolution by you and the IBM support team. To access the tool main menu, simply type smitty esa_main, and select Configure Electronic Service Agent. In addition, ESA now includes a powerful web user interface, giving the administrator easy access to status, tool settings, problem information, and filters. For more information and documentation on how to configure and use Electronic Service Agent, refer to
The IBM Electronic Support portal is a single Internet entry point that replaces the multiple entry points traditionally used to access IBM Internet services and support. This portal enables you to gain easier access to IBM resources for assistance in resolving technical problems. The My Systems and Premium Search functions make it even easier for Electronic Service Agent tool-enabled customers to track system inventory and find pertinent fixes.
Benefits
Increased uptime: The Electronic Service Agent tool is designed to enhance the Warranty or Maintenance Agreement by providing faster hardware error reporting and uploading system information to IBM Support. This can translate to less wasted time monitoring the symptoms, diagnosing the error, and manually calling IBM Support to open a problem record. Its 24x7 monitoring and reporting mean no more dependence on human intervention or off-hours customer personnel when errors are encountered in the middle of the night.
Security: The Electronic Service Agent tool is designed to be secure in monitoring, reporting, and storing the data at IBM. The Electronic Service Agent tool securely transmits via either the Internet (HTTPS or VPN) or modem, and can be configured to communicate securely through gateways to provide you a single point of exit from your site. Communication is one way. Activating Electronic Service Agent does not enable IBM to call into your system. System inventory information is stored in a secure database, which is protected behind IBM firewalls. It is viewable only by you and IBM. Your business applications or business data is never transmitted to IBM.
More accurate reporting: Because system information and error logs are automatically uploaded to the IBM Support center in conjunction with the service request, you are not required to find and send system information, decreasing the risk of misreported or misdiagnosed errors. Once inside IBM, problem error data is run through a data knowledge management system and knowledge articles are appended to the problem record.
Customized support: Using the IBM ID entered during activation, you can view system and support information in the My Systems and Premium Search sections of the Electronic Support website at
My Systems provides valuable reports of installed hardware and software using information collected from the systems by Electronic Service Agent. Reports are available for any system associated with your IBM ID. Premium Search combines the function of search and the value of Electronic Service Agent information, providing advanced search of the technical support knowledge base. Using Premium Search and the Electronic Service Agent information that has been collected from your system, you are able to see search results that apply specifically to your systems.
For more information on how to utilize the power of IBM Electronic Services, contact your IBM Systems Services Representative, or visit
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| Prices |
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Prices information remains unchanged. Refer to IBM ODM for z/OS, V8.6 Software Announcement 213-408, dated October 01, 2013.
IBM Global Financing
IBM Global Financing offers competitive financing to credit-qualified customers to assist them in acquiring IT solutions. Offerings include financing for IT acquisition, including hardware, software, and services, from both IBM and other manufacturers or vendors. Offerings (for all customer segments: small, medium, and large enterprise), rates, terms, and availability can vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization or visit
IBM Global Financing offerings are provided through IBM Credit LLC in the United States, and other IBM subsidiaries and divisions worldwide to qualified commercial and government customers. Rates are based on a customer's credit rating, financing terms, offering type, equipment type, and options, and may vary by country. Other restrictions may apply. Rates and offerings are subject to change, extension, or withdrawal without notice.
Financing from IBM Global Financing helps you preserve cash and credit lines, enables more technology acquisition within current budget limits, permits accelerated implementation of economically attractive new technologies, offers payment and term flexibility, and can help match project costs to projected benefits. Financing is available worldwide for credit-qualified customers.
For more financing information, visit
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| Order now |
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To order, contact the Americas Call Centers or your local IBM representative, or your IBM Business Partner.
To identify your local IBM representative or IBM Business Partner, call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).
Phone: 800-IBM-CALL (426-2255)
Fax: 800-2IBM-FAX (242-6329)
For IBM representative: callserv@ca.ibm.com
For IBM Business Partner: pwcs@us.ibm.com
Mail: IBM Teleweb Customer Support
ibm.com® Sales Execution Center, Americas North
3500 Steeles Ave. East, Tower 3/4
Markham, Ontario
Canada
L3R 2Z1
Reference: LE001
The Americas Call Centers, our national direct marketing organization, can add your name to the mailing list for catalogs of IBM products.
Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.
IBM Software Value Plus
These products are available under IBM Software Value Plus, either directly from IBM or through authorized Business Partners who invest in skills and high-value solutions. IBM customers may benefit from the industry-specific or horizontal solutions, skills, and expertise provided by these Business Partners.
Additions to Software Value Plus will be communicated through standard product announcements. For a current list of IBM software available under Software Value Plus, visit
For questions regarding Software Value Plus, visit
Trademarks
z10, IMS and Electronic Service Agent are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
IBM, z/OS, DB2, System z, zEnterprise, CICS, SPSS, WebSphere, PartnerWorld, System z10, S/390, Passport Advantage, System i, Parallel Sysplex, OS/390, z/Architecture, AIX and ibm.com are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
Terms of use
IBM products and services which are announced and available in your country can be ordered under the applicable standard agreements, terms, conditions, and prices in effect at the time. IBM reserves the right to modify or withdraw this announcement at any time without notice. This announcement is provided for your information only. Additional terms of use are located at:
For the most current information regarding IBM products, consult your IBM representative or reseller, or visit the IBM worldwide contacts page
