Many organizations rely heavily on mainframes for critical operations, but maintaining these systems can be a challenge due to the increasing shortage of experienced professionals. When experts retire or move on to other roles, companies are left with a significant skills gap that can jeopardize business continuity. 

This overview shows how a German customer, highly dependent on an IBM mainframe, was faced with skills gap. As the mainframe specialists were approaching retirement, they lacked the necessary resources to effectively manage and maintain their systems. We helped the client with our Managed Services – a comprehensive solution that addresses these challenges and ensures system reliability, scalability and cost efficiency. 

A smooth transition to Mainframe Managed Services 

When we started discussing the client’s needs during our consultations, it quickly became evident that they were facing a critical issue. Their systems administrator, who had been managing the DB2 database for years, was set to retire in just three months. This posed a significant risk to their operations, as there were no internal resources with the required expertise to take over such a crucial role. Without proper management of their Db2 environment, they faced potential downtime and system instability, which could seriously disrupt their business.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, we proposed a tailored solution. They needed a reliable partner who could seamlessly manage the Db2 database while also ensuring continuous monitoring and support. We presented our Mainframe Managed Services, taking care of their Db2 system. The rest of their mainframe environment would still be handled by their internal IT staff. Therefore, CROZ team enlarged the client’s team, aligning with our approach of Empowering Mainframe Teams.  

Naturally, the client was initially cautious about the transition. However, after a series of in-depth workshops and reassurance from our team, they decided to move forward with our services. 

We started with onboarding. We always prefer onsite onboarding because it allows us to build stronger relationships with our clients and gain a deeper understanding of their unique needs and challenges. This hands-on approach fosters better communication and collaboration (including discussing technical documentation over traditional German beer), ensuring a smoother transition. We began by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the client’s system, identifying key areas that required immediate attention (outdated software versions, and lack of proactive monitoring).  

Once we took over the Db2 management, our team implemented industry best practices to ensure smooth and optimal Db2 operation. One of the first things was to analyze and tune Db2 buffer pools which improved performance of several batch programs. Furthermore, we improved the backup procedure by introducing MERGECOPY utility. Db2 tools that were installed were not used efficiently enough so we took some time to setup the tools properly which helped us to better administer and monitor Db2 subsystems. While going through documentation with the client, we also noticed a lack of proactive monitoring procedures, which left their systems vulnerable to potential failures. 

With our ongoing involvement, the client now enjoys a secure and smoothly running Db2 environment, allowing them to focus on growing their business while having peace of mind knowing their critical infrastructure is in expert hands. This collaborative approach enlarged and empowered their existing mainframe team and ensured business continuity without disruption.  

What did our customer say about the Managed Services Provider?

Within a short period, the customer saw a significant improvement in system performance and stability. More importantly, they no longer had to worry about the knowledge gap that had been growing due to employee retirements. With 24/7 support and ongoing monitoring, they were confident their systems were in good hands. 

After witnessing how effectively we managed their Db2 environment, the customer began considering offloading even more of their z/OS environment to us. This allowed them to focus on higher-level priorities while trusting us to handle the critical components of their mainframe infrastructure.  

As a result, the customer was so pleased with the reliability and efficiency of our services that they are now looking to offload even more of their IT management tasks to us. Beyond just handling the operational aspects, what truly impressed them was that we immediately began providing strategic recommendations for modernization—something they had not previously had the resources to focus on.  

For instance, during our early consultations, we identified opportunities to streamline and modernize their mainframe environment, including the planning and development of an API layer to enhance integration with modern systems. This proactive approach added immense value, allowing them to not only maintain their existing infrastructure but also prepare for future innovation.  

This partnership has allowed them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down by daily operational concerns. With our team managing the core technical tasks, they are now better positioned to drive business growth and innovation.