What does BCV4 do?
BCV4 is a tool designed to rapidly create copies of DB2 and IMS subsystems. It streamlines the process of replicating these environments for development, testing, or disaster recovery purposes. Note that BCV4 does not copy the actual databases; this functionality is provided by a partner product, BCV5.
Is this a system, application, or tool?
BCV4 is a tool specifically designed for system administrators and database professionals working with IBM's DB2 and IMS on z/OS. It simplifies administrative tasks related to subsystem management. It is not a general-purpose application or a development framework.
What types of organizations use this?
Organizations that rely heavily on IBM DB2 and IMS subsystems on z/OS, particularly those with complex environments requiring frequent replication for development, testing, or disaster recovery, would benefit from BCV4. These are typically large enterprises in industries like banking, finance, insurance, and government.
When should we consider BCV4?
A company should consider BCV4 when they need to quickly and efficiently create copies of their DB2 and IMS subsystems. This is especially useful in scenarios such as setting up test environments, performing impact analysis, or preparing for disaster recovery exercises. If database copies are also needed, consider the partner product BCV5.
What are the alternatives to BCV4?
Alternatives to BCV4 include manual procedures for copying subsystems, which are time-consuming and error-prone. Other options might involve using native DB2 and IMS utilities or exploring other third-party tools that offer similar subsystem cloning capabilities. It is important to evaluate whether these alternatives also address database copying, potentially requiring a separate solution like BCV5.