Solutions to power a BSM initiative should include the capability to dynamically discover mainframe components, populate them in your CMDB (where service models reside) and intelligently link mainframe events with the service models. Now you can complement your in-depth views of the mainframe with views of how the mainframe relates to the rest of the enterprise—so you can prioritize activities to get the biggest bang for the buck. Most importantly, you can get actionable information and views that can make you a partner to the business, not just a service provider.

When you can automate mainframe management at the BSM level, you can visibly increase the business relevance of your mainframe and take a leadership role in improving the image of the entire IT organization. That is to say, when you manage in this way, you can clearly demonstrate the superiority of your mainframe.

Ralph Crosby is the chief technology officer for the Mainframe Service Management Business Unit at BMC Software, responsible for setting the strategic direction for the entire portfolio of IBM Mainframe products. Prior to assuming the CTO role, Crosby was DB2 architect responsible for technology directions across the full line of DB2 products. He has authored several products in the DB2 product line and also worked as an architect in the storage management area. Prior to joining BMC Software, he worked as a database administrator, applications architect and systems programmer in a variety of environments centered on the IBM mainframe, but including Windows and UNIX platforms. Crosby holds a BS in computer science from the California Polytechnic State University and an MBA degree from Fordham University.