BIM-FAQS/PCS
(Production Control System) provides state-of-the-art automated
scheduling for VSE data centers. BIM-FAQS/PCS triggers an unlimited
number of events that have simple and complex dependencies. Scheduling
decisions are made accurately and at machine speed. Human error
is virtually eliminated. And throughput improves. So you can more
easily meet today's demanding service level agreements.
 Event-Driven
Scheduling
• With BIM-FAQS/PCS, you can schedule event commands based
on the occurrence or completion of designated events. Event commands
can be:
--User jobs
--VSE operator or POWER commands
--VM CP commands
--BIM-FAQS/PCS commands
--Compiled REXX procedures
• An event's dependencies can be as simple as a specified time of day, such
as 2 a.m. every Friday. Or dependencies can be more complex, such as:
--The creation of a BIM-FAQS/PCS member
--The alteration of a BIM-FAQS/PCS global variable
--The occurrence of a console message - if you have BIM-FAQS/ASO (Automated
Systems Operations)
--An authorized user "posting" an event
--Multiple jobs from specific partitions completing in a designated order
with certain return codes
--A manual condition that must take place
--Data that must be entered before manual conditions are executed
--Available resource percentages
--Dataset activity
--Any combination of the above dependencies
• Once the above dependencies have been satisfied, BIM-FAQS/PCS automatically
triggers the events - on time and every time. Without error. Your systems and
operations staffs no longer have to worry about calendar cycles, dependencies,
and job conflicts.
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Workstation
Support
Many conditions that must take place before events can occur
are not machine-detectable. For example, before running the weekly
payroll job, you might need to load special paper into the printer
to process the checks. How can you ensure that this manual step
is executed?
BIM-FAQS/PCS workstation screen provides
an online, centralized location for manual conditions to be "checked off" as
they are completed.
The workstation screen ensures personal review of conditions,
quality control signoff, and availability of needed materials--at
a glance. And until all manual conditions are checked off, events
that depend on them are not triggered.
Data
Station Support
The BIM-FAQS/PCS data station screen gives you a central, online
location to enter data for the manual events. For example, you
may need to enter a check number before the payroll job executes.
Using the data station screen, you can directly enter this information,
instead of leaving instruction notes for operators. This helps
eliminate human error because operators do not have to receive
second-hand information.
And once you enter the information, BIM-FAQS/PCS automatically
validates it and begins running the job. A job will not run until
the correct information has been entered and validated.
Event
Resource Dependencies
You can define the resource percentages an event requires, and
BIM-FAQS/PCS will not dispatch the event until the required percentage
is available. Once the event is scheduled and executing, it has
priority over the resource until the event completes.
BIM-FAQS/PCS works with resources maintained on one CPU, across
multiple CPUs, and from within EXPLORE for VSE, the VSE performance
monitor (from Computer Associates, or IBM).
Before an event executes, EXPLORE for VSE can let you know the
availability status of the EXPLORE for VSE resources. For example,
you may plan to execute an event that uses 40 percent of the
CPU. But at execution time, EXPLORE for VSE might discover that
CPU utilization is at 70 percent. BIM-FAQS/PCS would then hold
the event until the resource becomes available.
Once any event is executing, you can see the resource percentages
that it is using and the number of events BIM-FAQS/PCS is dispatching.
Event
Dataset Dependencies
BIM-FAQS/PCS also lets you define an event to be dependent on
the activity of a dataset. For example, you can specify that
an event not be scheduled if a file is open, closed, or being
updated. Or you can specify that an event be scheduled only if
a file has been updated or only after a file is closed.
This feature ensures accuracy across events because it prevents
multiple users from updating the same files.
In addition, you can view detailed dataset history information.
You can see who updated files and when the files were opened
and closed. This information is also available in batch report
format. Such audit information is helpful when identifying datasets
used by programs and jobstreams, or all programs that access
certain datasets.
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Centralized
Online Access
An online interface lets you display and maintain scheduling
data. You can use the interface to control BIM-FAQS/PCS schedules
and events, display auditing and accounting information, and
browse, update, submit, and delete JCL members. This interface
is available through CICS, CMS, VTAM, BTAM, or BIM-FAQS/ASO.
Automatic
Open and Close of CICS Files
A BIM-FAQS/PCS batch utility can start and stop DL/I database
files, pass CICS CEMT commands to CICS, and open and close VSAM
files defined to CICS. This utility eliminates the need to manually
close the files to CICS, run a batch job to update them, and
reopen the CICS-defined files. The time your operators save results
in improved service to customers.
Flexible
JCL Runstream Modification
BIM-FAQS/PCS allows easy job restart and
cleanup in several ways, including an SAA-compatible implementation
of REXX. BIM-FAQS/PCS lets you modify JCL--including actual date
or JCL substitution--before or during job execution.
Tape
Pull List
The BIM-FAQS/PCS online tape pull list interfaces with various
tape management systems, including BIM-EPIC. The tape pull list
shows operators which tape volumes are required for specific
jobs, time periods, or shifts. With this feature, operators can
pull the necessary tape volumes in advance. Jobs will no longer
be delayed while waiting for tape mounts.
Accounting
& Auditing
BIM-FAQS/PCS provides extensive accounting and auditing facilities.
You can make sure that the proper jobs run at the right times,
check the amount of resources each job used, or see when JCL
was changed, and who changed it. You can display the account
file and audit trail online, or print them using a batch utility.
Forecasting
The BIM-FAQS/PCS forecasting capability shows you the events
BIM-FAQS/PCS will trigger on a targeted day or series of days.
Because it provides an easy-to-read diagnosis of job workloads,
this forecast helps prevent job scheduling bottlenecks. You can
also use forecasting to select the best time for hardware or
software maintenance.
Report
Writer
The BIM-FAQS/PCS product comes with a comprehensive event report
writer. There are several common predefined reports provided.
You can also create your own specific event reports. Use it to
create a shift report on the events scheduled during the shift!
Use BIM-FAQS/PCS to schedule it!
Security
BIM-FAQS/PCS also offers built-in security to help you control
access to JCL members, event schedules, and BIM-FAQS/PCS online
screens. For added security during the job submission process,
BIM-FAQS/PCS integrates with BIM-ALERT/VSE, BIM's VSE security
package.
BIM-FAQS/PC
PC-Graphical Schedule Definition
With BIM-FAQS/PC, an option of BIM-FAQS/PCS, schedule definition
has never been easier.
BIM-FAQS/PC is a Microsoft Windows application that uses point-and-click
technology to let you graphically build and modify schedules
on a programmable workstation (PC). You can offload schedules,
save them to a disk, and modify them at another location, such
as a remote office. This saves time and CPU resources.
BIM-FAQS/CALL
PC-based Voice, Pager, & Speaker Support
BIM-FAQS/CALL, an option of BIM-FAQS/PCS, interfaces with the
PC to notify personnel of systems problems. BIM-FAQS/CALL alerts
personnel by placing a phone call, activating a numeric or alphanumeric
pager, or announcing messages or events over a public address
system or amplified speaker in the computer room. Tape mount
messages will never be forgotten or missed.
BIM-FAQS/CALL also provides an automated Help desk facility
that allows users to interact with the host through a touch-tone
telephone.
VSE/ESA
& z/VSE Exploitation
BIM-FAQS/PCS has been enhanced to allow total
exploitation of VSE/ESA & z/VSE. Up to 500K of common code
for the BIM-FAQS/PCS online components can be loaded above the
16MB line. And all job submission buffers are allocated above
the line. This gives you even greater efficiency and flexibility
under VSE/ESA & z/VSE.
System
Requirements
BIM-FAQS/PCS supports VSE/SP, VSE/ESA & z/VSE.
The product requires no modifications to your existing JCL. And
BIM-FAQS/PCS can schedule user JCL from many different sources,
including CMS files, BIM-FAQS/PCS partitioned datasets (PDS),
BIM-EDIT, CA-DRIVER, CA-VOLLIE, CA-LIBRARIAN, CA-DRIVER, PANVALET,
CONDOR, ICCF, VSE libraries, and user-defined repositories.
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Conversion Info:
BIM-FAQS/PCS Replaces:
CA-Scheduler Job Management for VSE
CA-FAQS Production Control System for VSE
ASG-Zeke
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