Why Choose TurboTune® Over IAM?

When it comes to enhancing mainframe performance, TurboTune® offers a strategic advantage over IAM by delivering precise tuning without compromising CPU efficiency. While IAM introduces an alternative access method with its own buffering system, TurboTune® refines your existing VSAM datasets for optimal performance.

TurboTune® Advantages:

• Universal VSAM Support: TurboTune® optimizes all VSAM datasets, including Catalogs, CICS, RLS, and Page Data sets — areas IAM cannot address.

• Guaranteed CPU Savings: TurboTune® always decreases CPU usage by improving VSAM file structures and enhancing data flow without adding compression overhead.

• Zero Application Changes: TurboTune® seamlessly integrates with your environment, preserving existing applications and system architecture.

IAM Limitations:

• IAM excludes Catalogs, CICS, RLS, and Page Data sets.

• IAM’s data compression techniques often introduce variable CPU overhead, making results inconsistent across different file structures.

Proven Methodology

TurboTune® was developed with over 40 years of performance data and real-world analysis from hundreds of client systems. Unlike generic tuning tools, TurboTune® builds a unique performance model tailored to your mainframe configuration.

TurboTune® Methodology Includes:

• Detailed analysis of VSAM, Db2, and IMS environments.

• Utilization of 75 internal analytical performance programs.

• Collection and analysis of key performance metrics like:

  • CI and CA sizes

  • BUFND and BUFNI values

  • File sizes and placement

  • SMF/RMF data

  • Job Lib information

Using millions of system statistics, TurboTune® uses AI driven dataset profiling to calculate optimal settings for file structures and performance attributes. Each dataset undergoes 1,500 calculations to ensure precise tuning for maximum efficiency.

Evaluation Process

For accurate performance assessment, we recommend the following steps:

1. Identify VSAM files that require optimization and have not been converted to IAM.

2. Use a mainframe performance tool to measure CPU utilization and I/O activity before optimization.

3. Apply TurboTune® enhancements to the identified datasets.

4. Rerun the performance tool to compare CPU utilization and I/O performance post-optimization.

5. Convert unaltered VSAM files to IAM and measure performance changes for comparison.

Performance Results

TurboTune® delivers quantifiable performance improvements, including:

• Reduced CPU usage by optimizing dataset structures.

• Improved I/O efficiency, reducing physical I/O (EXCP) rates.

• Shortened batch windows and enhanced online transaction response times.

Measuring Success

Key metrics for evaluating TurboTune® results include:

• EXCP to Activity Ratios: Reduced to optimal levels near 0.003 for improved file efficiency.

• KSDS Data to Index Ratios: Optimized for faster batch and online processing.

• CPU, I/O, DASD Usage, and Run Time: Verified through SMF/RMF data before and after tuning.

Unlock Greater Savings

TurboTune® doesn’t just improve performance — it helps defer costly hardware upgrades by unlocking unused system capacity. By reducing I/O contention and optimizing data structures, TurboTune® enables organizations to maximize existing resources before considering expensive infrastructure investments.

Proven Track Record

Every TurboTune® engagement has successfully improved performance and reduced costs. With no failed implementations, TurboTune® stands as the industry’s most effective solution for mainframe optimization.

Experience the TurboTune® Difference — Contact Us Today to Learn More.