DFSMSdss is the primary data mover for DFSMS. It can efficiently move multiple data sets from old to new DASD. The data movement capability that is provided by DFSMSdss is useful for many other operations, as well.

DFSMSdss saves distributed data management (DDM) attributes that are associated with a specific data set and preserves those attributes during copy and move operations. DFSMSdss also offers the FlashCopy® feature with Enterprise Storage Server® (ESS) and the SnapShot feature with RAMAC Virtual Array (RVA). FlashCopy and SnapShot function automatically, work much faster than traditional data movement methods, and are well suited for handling large amounts of data.

When it is used with supporting hardware, DFSMSdss also provides concurrent copy capability. Concurrent copy lets you copy or back up data while that data is being used. The user or application program determines when to start the processing, and the data is copied as if no updates have occurred.