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Your Questions Answered
Migration
- Will I need a TP Monitor?
- What if I don't want a Relational Database?
- What if we modify our system during migration?
- How do I replace VME Job Scheduling/Print Management?
- LSD's offices are remote. How do we co-ordinate our activities?
Post-migration
- How will the TP System perform?
- What training will I need?
- How will I be able to maintain/enhance the migrated system?
- How easy will it be to recruit to support the migrated system?
- Do I get the source or am I dependent on LSD post-migration?
- Do you offer support and what does it cost?
- Are there any other ongoing charges?
Other
Will I need a TP Monitor?
No. TPMS is the most frequently used TP Monitor for VME users. LSD replaces this as part of the PowerDrive migration process which offers Thin Client Server Technology and eliminates the need for, and the cost of, a TP Monitor licence.
What if I don't want a Relational Database?
We would highly recommend your moving to RDBMS, particularly if you are considering using the Internet, E-commerce and Data Warehousing. However, if you wish to remain on flat files and your system is mainly batch, it still makes good sense to proceed with the migration, as you will benefit from cost-savings in the new environment. Any screen processing will require additional software normally provided by the RDBMS, which we are able to replicate.
What if we modify our system during migration?
All modifications to the system carried out by yourselves after we have started the migration process must be fully documented, so that once the migration is complete we can implement these changes. This can be done in a relatively short time as our PowerDrive Tool Kit has been tailor-made to accommodate this type of scenario. Any additional associated costs will depend on the complexity and length of the modification.
How do I replace the VME Job Scheduling/Print Management?
There are many well-tried and tested products available in the marketplace to replace Job Scheduling and Print Management. The choice is yours depending on your budget and degree of sophistication. We will happily advise and assist you in making your purchase.
LSD's offices are remote. How do we co-ordinate our activities?
With the Internet, e-mail, fax, telephone and video conferencing, distance is no longer a factor. If you are in the UK, monthly progress meetings in Manchester can be arranged with minimal disruption to your workflow. However, they are not essential to the successful completion of the migration service. Once we have received all the source, test data and the hardware we require, the migration can actually be carried out independently of your existing resources. We have performed a number of migrations for overseas clients without the need for an on-site presence.
How will the TP System perform?
Superbly. After 20 completed migrations we have established that the TP system performs equally to or better than the original. In most cases the batch system will also perform equally to the original if not better, although for extra efficiency, buying a proprietary sort is a good idea. If you move to a Relational Database, the need for sorting will disappear, as up-to-date RDBMS design enables you to extract the data in the order you require it.
What training will I need?
One great feature of our migrations is that users do not need to be retrained. This is because the screens look identical to the system pre-migration. Technical training will be required in the area of Micro Focus COBOL, the Operating System and the Relational Database and this is usually welcomed as an opportunity for programmers to develop new skills. You will also need some basic training from LSD in how to run the systems after migration.
How will I be able to maintain/enhance the migrated system?
One of the key reasons for migrating through LSD is to facilitate the future enhancement of the system. New facilities can be written using the Operating System development tools or Micro Focus COBOL's excellent Tools set, making the COBOL easier to maintain and new facilities quicker to develop. The source application code will remain unchanged and any redundant code will be treated as a comment and marked accordingly.
How easy will it be to recruit staff to support the migrated system?
As most graduate computer courses do not teach mainframe technology such as VME, TPMS etc., moving to a modern platform actually makes it easier to acquire new staff.
Do I get the source or am I dependent on LSD post-migration?
You will receive the source code of everything you will require to develop and enhance the system. The only source you do not receive is for the proprietary Utilities. LSD retains a copy of your application source code to assist you through maintenance and support and for security back-up.
Do you offer support and what does it cost?
LSD offers a comprehensive support service which costs 15% of the migration fees for the first year and reduces thereafter.
Are there any other ongoing charges?
Far less than your existing VME charges, so there are major savings to be made. Our support services and the PowerDrive utilities together add approximately 20% to the cost of your migration. Other proprietary licence fees will depend on which RDBMS you choose for your destination environment. An itemised cost breakdown will be provided on our quotation form, providing you with full details of the project.
How can I find out more information?
Don't hesitate to get in touch.
