Traditionally customers submitted requests for requirements and enhancements thru their IBM contacts on their respective client teams. Now customers may manage and track their requests using a new process.

DB2 for z/OS Request for Enhancements (RFE) Community for Customer Requirements - Now Live!

The DB2 for z/OS Request for Enhancements (RFE) Community enables customers to directly submit, manage and track their requirements online. Customers can additionally access requirements that others have submitted to vote on, comment and watch in a social media paradigm. It provides customers with greater accessibility to the requirements that are of interest to them. IBM's Rational, Tivoli and WebSphere have already adopted RFE with positive customer feedback. All you need to get started is an IBM developerWorks IBM ID. Please use the DB2 for z/OS RFE to submit customer requirements going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Q1: Where can I find RFE Getting Started information?
A1: A number of good online materials exists today from the RFE Community, http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/?BRAND_ID=184 that includes:
* RFE Community FAQ -- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=changeRequestFAQ
* RFE Community YouTube Tutorials -- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=tutorials
* RFE Community Status Values and Definitions -- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=changeRequestDefs
* Where to get an IBM developerWorks IBM ID that is required to RFE -- https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/dwwi/jsp/WSLogin.jsp
* DB2 for z/OS RFE Community -- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/?BRAND_ID=184

Q2: How do I submit a new DB2 for z/OS RFE requirement?
A2: Once you've logged onto the DB2 for z/OS RFE Community with your IBM ID, click on the 'Submit RFE' link and complete the form. You'll notice that many of the fields aree auto-filled already for you. To open a new DB2 for z/OS RFE requirement, set:
* Brand = Information Management
* Product Family = DB2 for z/OS
* Product = DB2 for z/OS
It is important that you provide detailed information in the 'Description', 'Use Case', and 'Business Justification' fields to help the DB2 for z/OS Subject Matter Expert understand and disposition your requirement. However, do not enter any sensitive or confidential information including names.
Note: Refer to the RFE Community's YouTube Tutorials and FAQs for more details on Submit, Search, View, Vote, Watch, Track, how to create/manage RFE Groups, etc..

Q3: Why are DB2 for z/OS RFE requirements defaulted to 'Private' at time of creation?
A3: Due to the fact that some newly submitted requirements may be sensitive in nature, DB2 for z/OS RFE requirements default to 'Private' at time of creation. A DB2 for z/OS Subject Matter Expert will review and disposition the requirement to determine if the RFE requirement's visibility can be set to public or need to remain private with appropriate conversations to the submitter. We expect that the majority of the DB2 for z/OS RFE requirements will be set to public in support of the social media paradigm.

Q4: How can I view, vote, and watch private RFE requirements opened by others in my company?
A4: The RFE Community provides a construct called, 'RFE Group', consisting of a collection of individuals interested in the same RFEs, and who can share a common watchlist of RFE requirements regardless of public or private. RFE Groups can be public or private. Public RFE Groups are visible in the RFE Community's Group Directory and allows interested individual(s) to petition the Public RFE Group owner to join. Whereas Private RFE Groups are not visible via the RFE Community's Group Directory and as a result, users must be invited to join by the Private RFE Group owner.
Note: Refer to the RFE Community's FAQs for more details on RFE Groups.

Q5: Who can I contact for question(s) regarding the DB2 for z/OS RFE Community?
A5: Please contact Janet Figone (jfigone@us.ibm.com).