Possible Uses of TWS Automation

In data centers, certain groups assume responsibility for the daily operation of the systems. Frequently, these groups are split into these two areas that perform the following tasks:

• Controlling online systems
• Processing all batch work

User requests for hours of service form the basis for online planning decisions. The time available to process the jobs required for online systems for the next day, as well as requests for other batch work, determines batch processing.

A system using TWS executes the current plan (CP), which contains the information for batch processing. A help desk, hotline, or service-contact point merge user-change requests into the overall schedule. While processing control executes batch processing, operations or master terminal operators control the online systems, thus adding to the confusion. Changes to online availability are frequently manual in nature. For example, instructions to change online availability often consist of slips of paper or phone calls to the operator.

TWS Automation allows changes that influence both batch and online systems through simple TWS dialogs. Because TWS manages both batch and online systems, these changes are needed only in one place. Because the processes are automated with SA z/OS and TWS, no interoperator communications are required. In fact, in a highly automated environment, no operator intervention or awareness of these user-requested changes is necessary.

TWS Automation can automate some of the more complex operator procedures and thereby provide several new functions. The following topics give some examples and scenarios that demonstrate these functions.