When you convert data to SMS management, the first thing to consider is whether to convert data sets with or without data movement. If you have SMS-managed volumes with sufficient free space, you can convert data sets by simply moving them from non-SMS-managed volumes to SMS-managed volumes. The same is also true if you are converting data from SMS-management. Converting data sets to SMS management by data movement is often preferable because it allows the system to place the data sets for you. This ensures that the data sets are placed on volumes in storage groups that can meet the availability and performance requirements of the data set.

If, however, you do not have sufficient free space on your SMS-managed volumes to convert by data movement, you might have to convert data sets without data movement. The drawback to this method of conversion is that it does not allow the system to place data sets for you. You must ensure that the storage group in which you place the volume can meet the availability and performance requirements of the data sets.

Regardless of how you convert to SMS management, you must determine the eligibility for conversion of your data sets and volumes prior to conversion.