TurboTune: Your Questions, Answered

Is the TurboTune Mainframe Optimization Process Safe?

Absolutely! This is our most frequently asked question. Critical Path Software (CPS) strictly adheres to IBM-recommended improvements, sourced directly from IBM Redbooks. Every recommendation is backed by extensive research and real-world performance data.

TurboTune has never caused contention issues in any environment. Every recommendation undergoes rigorous testing in a controlled development environment, tailored to your organization’s comfort level and procedures. If a recommendation doesn’t fit your needs, simply don’t implement it. No risk, no disruption.

For nearly 40 years, Critical Path Software has been optimizing z/OS mainframes with zero safety concerns. Our TurboTune suite is designed to be secure, non-intrusive, and effective, ensuring maximum performance gains without compromising data integrity.

Throughout the optimization process, clients provide statistical data required for analysis and improvement recommendations. We prioritize security, ensuring that no sensitive client or customer data is collected.

– TurboTune Security & Data Collection

• • Does TurboTune collect sensitive data?
    No. TurboTune only requires the collection of statistical data for analysis. Client and customer data is never collected.
  • Does Critical Path Software provide JCL for initial data gathering?
    Yes. We provide JCL scripts for collecting LISTCAT data, which can be executed by any system programmer. However, clients can also draft their own JCL as long as it meets formatting and data requirements.
    
    

– TurboTuneSQL (TTSQL) Security & Execution

• • Does TurboTuneSQL collect sensitive data?
    No. TurboTuneSQL collects only cache data for optimization. No client or customer data is accessed. While SMF data can optionally be used for more granular analysis, it is not required for achieving results.
  • Is TurboTuneSQL safe to run?
    Yes. TTSQL operates within strict security parameters:
    • ❌ Does NOT run in supervisor state
    • ❌ Does NOT run under PSW key 0-7
    • ❌ Does NOT require APF authorization
    • ❌ Does NOT use any authorized MVS system services
      
      

– Proven, Secure, and Trusted Optimization

TurboTune and TurboTuneSQL have been trusted by enterprises worldwide to reduce costs and enhance performance without risk. We ensure a secure, controlled, and fully transparent process that meets the highest industry security standards.

What is TurboTune?

TurboTune is a proprietary optimization process built on nearly four decades of mainframe expertise. It leverages an extensive database of best practices to maximize mainframe performance and minimize resource consumption—all leading to significant cost savings. Our motto, “Performance is Profit,” reflects our commitment to efficiency and ROI.

How Current is TurboTune?

TurboTune is continuously updated to align with evolving operating system specifications and hardware advancements. For example, as IBM introduces updates like z/OS 1.3 and beyond, TurboTune seamlessly adapts to ensure your system is always optimized.

What Problems Does TurboTune Solve?

TurboTune targets excessive costs and poor application performance, offering precise solutions that reduce CPU, EXCPs, and I/O while enhancing application responsiveness and efficiency.

How Does TurboTune Work?

For VSAM optimization, we extract empirical data and dataset characteristics directly from the LISTCAT. That information is fed into our AI platform, where we perform pattern identification and dataset profiling against billions of data points in our proprietary database.

From there, we run thousands of scenarios to determine the most optimal dataset parameters. Our AI-driven process identifies inefficiencies in VSAM structures and recommends enhanced dataset definitions that improve CPU efficiency, reduce I/O, enable better multi-user access, and maximize overall performance.

How is Data Collected for VSAM Optimization?

We provide you with the JCL needed to perform the LISTCAT collection. It’s a straightforward process. We supply the specific JCL to ensure the system ID and CLIENTID are assigned and the data is formatted correctly for our analysis.

Does TurboTune Create a Prediction of Utilization Change and Reduction?

Yes! We perform conservative modeling forecasts to estimate CPU reductions at a global level, assuming we have all the necessary data. Our projections provide a realistic view of potential efficiency gains.

Does TurboTune Provide Assistance with Automation or Scripts?

Absolutely. Along with a report of recommended enhancements, we provide JCL scripts that allow operators to create a PDS for applying the changes. These adjustments can be tested one by one via TSO or deployed in batch mode. This streamlines the implementation process, rather than the operator having to manually recreate each dataset define, saving thousands of hours of work.

Does TurboTune Work for IAM Customers?

Yes. We can often transition IAM customers back to highly optimized VSAM, eliminating IAM annual maintenance fees and reducing CPU usage. IAM typically applies generic VSAM parameter settings, but our optimizations significantly improve efficiency. While IAM mimics VSAM behavior for compatibility, it manages data access differently under the hood. Many customers use IAM to avoid VSAM tuning complexities. In most cases, optimized VSAM configurations outperform IAM, especially when leveraging AI-driven tuning solutions like TurboTune.

Can TurboTune Optimize for Customers Using IBM’s Tailored Fit Pricing (TFP) Contracts?

Yes, we work with clients under the TFP model. Savings depend on contract structure, consumption thresholds, and overrun terms. Reducing CPU usage provides leverage in IBM contract negotiations, allows customers to extend current hardware life (defer upgrades), and lowers software costs. This also reduces expenses for consumption-driven MLC-based products, like those billed by ISVs such as BMC.

How Does TurboTune Prioritize Safety and Reliability?

The TurboTune VSAM process does not modify application logic. We avoid altering record sizes, key lengths, or anything that would impact functionality. Every dataset enhancement undergoes rigorous testing to ensure condition code zero before production. We also provide a rollback PDS so changes can be instantly reversed if necessary.

If an issue arises—though rare—where a dataset enhancement impacts application behavior, it can be instantly rolled back to its original format, ensuring no disruption. However, all datasets should be thoroughly tested to achieve a condition code zero before being promoted to production.

What Are TurboTune’s Typical Recommendations? Where Are the Biggest Cost Savings?

While we don’t reveal all the details of our AI algorithms, our main areas of focus include: ✔ Buffer tuning
✔ CI size optimization (for both data and index)
✔ Access pattern profiling
✔ Optimized space allocations

We analyze your configuration against best practices in IBM z/OS and our proprietary database to determine optimal adjustments.

How Does TurboTune Address Third-Party Data Collection Concerns?

We do not require additional collection tools outside of the JCL we provide. Our process simply extracts LISTCAT data, which is 100% statistical, ensuring a non-intrusive approach to optimization. We have conducted thousands of analyses globally and have found that customers have no hesitation in providing LISTCAT data.

Where Does the Collected Data Go?

The collected data is zipped and securely uploaded via a secure link or FTP to our protected server for analysis.

How Does TurboTune Work with Db2?

TurboTuneSQL (TTSQL) operates differently from VSAM optimization. It requires a z/OS component that collects monitoring data (typically Db2 cache) and sends it via TCP/IP to a peripheral terminal for analysis.

Recommendations for index tuning, MRF, package removal, etc., are generated externally and can be applied manually or through automated workflows. Companies prefer this approach as it eliminates the additional CPU consumption required for analysis. Once customers recognize the potential performance gains via the POC, initial concerns about implementation typically fade.

Does TurboTune Require Ongoing Tuning?

Yes. As new files, datasets, and records are added, periodic tuning is beneficial. Large enterprises may see continual gains from minor optimizations, whereas smaller firms may require periodic adjustments to justify ongoing optimization.

TurboTuneSQL provides a continuous optimization process, adapting to the ever-growing number of SQL statements within a Db2 system. As new queries are introduced and workloads evolve, ongoing analysis ensures that performance remains at peak efficiency. This is accomplished by refining execution plans, indexing strategies, and resource utilization.

Ready to Optimize?

TurboTune provides a seamless, risk-free optimization process for VSAM, Db2, and beyond.

Contact us today to see how we can reduce costs, improve performance, and future-proof your mainframe environment.