Resolve Chronic Mainframe Talent Issues Virtually Overnight

Resolve Chronic Mainframe Talent Issues Virtually Overnight

Project Description and Requirements

The client is one of the top bank holding companies in the United States.  The client relies on a zSeries-based infrastructure to execute their core business applications.  Like many zSeries customers of their size, they have experienced increased difficulty hiring and retaining infrastructure support resources to manage the mainframe and middleware environments.  Several high-priority technology initiatives and a growing business magnified this problem.  Service levels had deteriorated to a critical level when GTSG was engaged.

GTSG Solution Description

GTSG applied our Infrastructure Support Services offering to provide a rapid tactical response to the immediate staffing challenge in several key technology areas including z/OS, GDPS, CICS, DB2, Network, and MQSeries.  The GTSG team was immediately able to provide value to the client by delivering a Service-Level based solution that included the following components:

  1. Provide Client the flexibility to add scope and resources on-demand to quickly address new requirements
  2. Provide a broad range of skills in z/OS and middleware support on 24×7, service-level based approach including Service Level Agreements
  3. Deliver “Day 1” skills in most critical areas and absorb workload overflow immediately
  4. Provide a consultative approach to process and technology improvements including the development of process documentation and Whitepapers
  5. Provide dedicated resources who have become trusted advisors, valued for their skills and experience diversity and assumed complete service management process ownership including management of incidents, projects, and outcomes

GTSG Team Composition

GTSG deployed a team of technical and management experts in a variable, “managed services” model to address support of the Client mainframe environment.  Team members include subject matter experts in the following:

  1. z/OS ISV Product support
  2. z/OS Core upgrade and maintenance support
  3. z/OS Networking (TCPIP, VTAM, Session Monitor, High Availability)
  4. GDPS (Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex) and Storage support
  5. DB2 Systems Programming and Physical DBA support
  6. WebSphere MQ Host (z/OS) and WebSphere MQ Distributed (Midrange systems)
  7. Mainframe Technical Project Management

Client Benefits

As a result of the services provided by GTSG, Client realized the following benefits:

  1. GTSG proven methods for managing mainframe environments using a service-level based approach
  2. Solved the inability to locate and retain skills in the local geography
  3. Immediate improvement in IT service by applying GTSG service management and infrastructure support methodologies
  4. Competitive financial solution through remote delivery and constantly “right-sizing” the team