Re: BPCS Performance Problems

The S20/2170 is part of the IBM E-Custom Server Series.  This is a very
different box than the "traditional" server series available through IBM.
The E-Custom Server was developed with specific ISV products in mind (to
include SSA) and offers enhanced Interactive processing horsepower and a
different algorithm than that found in the standard server line.

As an SSA Hardware Partner, we are very experienced in sizing AS/400's for
BPCS users and have found the E-Custom Server product to be a perfect fit in
many BPCS Mixed Mode environments.  For the most part, the BPCS Mixed Mode
product is an interactive green screen application.  But careful attention
must be paid to the amount of user activity in the "server modules" of this
product, as well as your overall workload mix.

The first step is to complete the SSA Sizing Questionnaire and submit it to
the IBM/SSA Competency Center through your SSA Rep or an SSA Hardware
Partner.  The next step is to evaluate your "Interactive"  to "Batch/Server"
workload mix to determine which CPU is best for you.  As a result of this
analysis, we have successfully installed a large number of E-Custom Servers
in BPCS shops giving users superior performance at a LOWER PRICE than what
they would have gotten with a 9406/6XX product.

The introduction of the new IBM 7XX series takes the "mixed mode" servers up
to a higher level.  With this new line of Servers you can choose the amount
of "Interactive" and "Batch/Server"  CPW that best fits your requirements.
Most importantly,  IBM has allowed you to upgrade into this new product from
any RISC based System, Server, and E-Custom Server Product.  This appears to
the direction of IBM as the 9406/6XX product is scheduled to be withdrawn at
the end of May 1999.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Michael Gillette
G/S Software Solutions
248-649-5334


-----Original Message-----
From: mitchell@nexgensoftware.com <mitchell@nexgensoftware.com>
To: BPCS-L@midrange.com <BPCS-L@midrange.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: BPCS Performance Problems


>
>
>
>Dwight,
>
>You wrote:
>
>|We are interested if anyone else has had the problem of receiving an
AS/400
>|mode with about 250 users spread across 6 sites.  The CFINTxx jobs will
>|consume upwards of 80% of the total CPU available and bring response times
>|up to the 7 minute range.  The AS/400 we were sized at originally is an
S20
>|model 2177 with 1GB of ram.  We are now being told be SSA that we need an
>|S20 model 2178 with 2.5 GB of ram.  Needless to say management is not
>|pleased about the additional $100,000 outlay of cash.  I am concerned
about
>|the new estimate (fool me once shame on you... fool me twice shame on me).
>|Your feedback is welcome.
>|
>|Regards,
>|
>|Dwight Slessman
>|National Electrical Carbon Products, Inc.
>
>Are you serious that SSA has sized you for a "server" AS/400 when you are
>running mixed-mode V6.X???
>
>Mixed-mode BPCS places its workload in the interactive subsystem.  The
server
>series AS/400s are designed NOT to run optimally (the 400 actually,
purposely
>de-tunes itself -- thus your CFINT jobs) with high interactive workloads.
>
>With 250 users, I can't see how anyone would have recommended an
S-anything.
>Although I am not advising you on the proper size machine for your purpose,
you
>will most likely need an interactive box such as a Model 620, 640.  And
yes,
>this will cost you dearly.
>
>Please feel free to call me if you want more details on this
>
>Best of Luck,
>
>Daniel J. Mitchell
>Nexgen
>+1 630 300 6040
>
>
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