When your DFSMShsm tapes contain obsolete or expired data, use DFSMShsm to transfer the remaining valid data from multiple tapes onto fewer tapes. (Obsolete or expired data include recalled data sets and expired backup copies.) Consolidating the data in this manner allows you to use your tapes more economically. You can define whether to return the expired tape volumes to the DFSMShsm scratch pool or specify MVS™ scratch status.

After DFSMShsm or other applications no longer need a particular tape volume, DFSMSrmm can reuse that tape volume.

Tapes that contain OAM objects can be reused automatically when all the data has expired. You can define whether to return expired tape volumes to OAM scratch status or MVS scratch status, or retain the tape volumes in the object or object backup storage group.