Mainframe database development

[ceh4702]

If you had to develop a new system (Or purchase a package)to handle a Student and Accounting System for a college with about 8,000 students, what would you suggest?

Our College prefers to maintain our files on an IBM Mainframe. Keep this in mind. At present we have an IBM Multiprise series mainframe and all of our files are VSAM Keyed files.

Would you develop in-house or what?

I saw some software that lets you use both VSAM data sets and DB2 or oracle datasets and convert the datasets as you go along and use both. Would this be a good idea?

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[WildHare]

Thankfully, I don't have to make this choice, but I'd probably look for an OTS (off-the-shelf) system first and see if I could find one that fits my needs. I'd scour around other 8K-size colleges and see what they use.

I'm not familiar with the MultiPrise family - last time I worked on an IBM M/F, it was a 308x series or something - one of the big boys. Is the Multiprise an outgrowth of the old 43xx series?

As you probably know, there are several ways of wrapping an application around VSAM files - it just depends on what language(s) your programmers use. I'd guess COBOL is the most prevalent, right?

Without knowing any more particulars, its hard to come right out and recommend any particular strategy. I just think it's usually less expensive in the long run if you can BUY something that fits AND works, rather than BUILD something.

Jim





Me? Ambivalent? Well, yes and no....
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[ceh4702]

We have been using a package that we purchased around 1975 or so. Unfortunately the company we purchased the system from went out of business. Our College just received a 10 year accredidation (spell?) and naturally one thing they suggested is updating our system. We looked at this a few years back and they could not find anything they wanted to purchase. Either what they were offering could not do what we wanted to do, or it was too expensive, or both.

I think they have been tweaking this COBOL/CICS system so long that they do not want to think about building or buying a new system. However, it is getting old and its usefulness is limited. The first last and middle names are all stored together, which is a pain. I tried to get them to change how they store the name, but it was like talking to the wind. I even suggested storing some control characters inbetween the first last and middle names so they could be easily separated and they wouldnt even consider it.

They know this system is getting really old, they just do not want to do anything with it. It will have to be done some day. So far they have gotten to work on 2 different mainframes. It will be interesting to see exactly what they decide. I dont think the options will get any cheaper. Most likely, prices will just keep going up.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[repete]

certainly one of your options would be evaluating what similar organizations with similar computing setups are using

Pete Bloomfield
Down Under

 

[ceh4702]

We will look around a bit more before we make any decisions. If we do a survey and look at what some of the other colleges in our area we may get some additional ideas.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.