RE: BPCS Performance Problems

I agree Mike.  I work for an SSA ISV Hardware provider, and if the sizing 
document reflects the actual workload, then the system will be sized by the 
Competency Center correctly.  However, some customers experience "sticker 
shock", because the workload specified places them into a larger than expected 
system.  They then cutback their work estimates, and the problems begin.

Again, as an SSA hardware provider, we go a few steps further, and examine the 
true workload of the system with the customer, to insure that the system 
recommended will support the load.

Remember, the sizing that anyone does is a "best fit" to the information a 
customer gives.  If the  workload changes, then the system recommended may not 
be the needed.

The workload needs to be the BUSIEST one-hour. 

-----Original Message-----
From:   mbreit@us.ibm.com [SMTP:mbreit@us.ibm.com]
Sent:   Tuesday, February 16, 1999 6:39 PM
To:     BPCS-L@midrange.com
Subject:        Re: BPCS Performance Problems

Dwight,

I'm not sure when your sizing was done, or by whom, but I certainly
recommend you contact the IBM/SSA International Competency Center in
Chicago if you have an AS/400 system sizing that doesn't seem right.  The
competency center staff has worked with SSA to development the current
sizing tool for BPCS ver6 on the AS/400 and they work with the IBM group
that does all sizings for the Americas.  The IBM/SSA Competency Center can
be reached via phone at 312-474-7333 or via e-mail at ibmssa@us.ibm.com.

A S20 2177 is a custom mixed-mode server model, which is better suited to
handle a mixture of client/server & interactive work than the normal server
models (i.e. S20 2166).  If you see the CFINTxx jobs using CPU like you
describe then the amount of interactive workload on your system is too
high.  This could be caused by the use of green-screen BPCS functions,
interactive third-party products, etc.  The Sxx custom mixed-mode servers
are appropriate for many BPCS ver6 mixed-mode customers, but the details of
your workload are the key.

If you are considering an upgrade, you should also consider the new AS/400
7xx servers just announced last week.  They offer a lot more flexibility in
configuring a system with the right level of system and interactive
performance than the Sxx or 6xx models.

Mike Breitbach  -  IBM Rochester Development


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