March 23, 2004, Speakers, their topics and bio info

1. John Bohn, Lightyear Consulting
TITLE: “Bringing Non-Relational Data into your DB2 World”
SYNOPSIS:
Many shops that are committed to DB2 also have important information stored in older databases such as IMS or even in a flat file structure like VSAM. It’s time to bring that data into DB2!

If you are a DB2 DBA who also has to look after the IMS or VSAM data in your “spare time” you probably have enough to do without worrying about replicating data in DB2, maintaining multiple back-up and recovery procedures for the different data sources … or the hundreds of other jobs that need to be done to keep the data available, secure and performing efficiently.

Application developers are increasingly being asked to integrate data from IMS, VSAM and DB2. Wouldn’t it be more efficient if all that data was in DB2? Likewise the job of a systems programmer is already complex enough – wouldn’t it be better to create a simpler environment by consolidating the data in DB2?

This presentation looks at the limitations associated with IMS or VSAM data, particularly in a modern eBusiness environment. It explores some of the options for getting IMS or VSAM data into DB2 and focuses on using automated tools such as DL/2 and VS/2 to simplify the process. There are commonly two burning questions related to moving to a DB2 environment;

1. How do I convert the data from a hierarchical or flat file structure to DB2’s relational model?
2. What do I do about all the old programs that still expect to find the data in IMS or VSAM?

There is no value in converting the data without addressing the issue of the programs. The presentation will examine both questions and will help you decide if moving to DB2 is the right choice for your organization.

SPEAKER BIO:
John Bohn is a Senior Consultant with 30 years of experience with IBM data management products. He spent over 26 years at SBC Communications working with IBM products, including DB2 and IMS. John ended his career at SBC as the Principal Technical Architect of Database Management Systems. Prior to joining Lightyear Consulting, John was part of the IBM Silicon Valley Lab and was a DB2 for z/OS V8 subject matter expert with DB2 Tools Development.

2. Tim Fritz, Quest Software
TITLE: “DB2 Stored Procedures and UDFs – Maximizing Performance”
SYNOPSIS:
This presentation will guide you through the use of DB2 UDB stored procedures and user defined functions (UDFs). DB2 UDB on Linux, Windows, and UNIX will be covered. DB2 UDB on the mainframe will be discussed as well.

Five Bullets:
• Configure DB2 UDB for stored procedure and UDF maximum performance.
• Global Temporary Tables - performance boosters.
• Workload Manager – Goal Mode for maximum performance.
• DISPLAY THREAD and traces to diagnose problems.
• JAVA SP tips.

SPEAKER BIO:
Tim Fritz is a Senior Systems Consultant for Quest Software, Inc. Before joining Quest he was a DBA on DB2 OS/390, and on DB2 UDB for UNIX and Windows. Tim has over twenty-two years of experience in the information technology field, and has worked with DB2 since 1987, including several years in DB2 application development. Tim is an IBM Certified Solutions Expert in DB2 UDB Database Administration.

3. Gerri Lloyd, IBM
TITLE: “DB2 for zOS Version 8”
SYNOPSIS:
Discuss how to prepare for and migrate to V8, the latest version of DB2,
generally available as of Friday, March 26th.

DB2 UDB for z/OS Version 8 is the twelfth, and by far, the most robust
release to date. Key improvements enhance scalability, application porting, security,
architecture, and continuous availability. This new version breaks through many old limitations in the definition of DB2 objects, including SQL improvements, on-line schema evolution, longer
names for tables and columns, longer SQL statements, enhanced Java and Unicode support,
enhanced utilities, more log data sets, more partitions, 64-bit virtual storage support and many more advantages. It's extensive SQL enhancements provide for even tighter DB2 UDB family and migration compatibility.
SPEAKER BIO:
Gerri Lloyd is a member of the DB2 UDB for z/OS Software IBM AmericasTeam. She has previously spent several years working for DB2 Product Manager, IBM Silicon Valley Laboratory as Lab Advocate. Gerri currently specializes in assisting customers with Planning for release migrations, performance issues and considering IBM's DB2 Tools offerings.

4. Charlie Perkins, Fidelity Investments
TITLE: “DB2 for Linux, Unix, Windows Version 8 Features and User Experiences”
SYNOPSIS:
DB2 Version 8 on the distributed platform had many new and intriguing features. Some are immature and there are many that are useful or becoming useful. Charlie will share some observations about the release and how his business unit is using it. He will provide some cautions and some recommendations based on early experiences.
SPEAKER BIO:
Charlie has been involved in DP/IT for 32 years. He has been active in data management since 1977 when he learned IMS. He has worked on mainframe DBMS (IMS, IDMS, DB2 versions 2 through 6) and distributed DBMS (mostly as a manager) including Sybase, Oracle and DB2 (from the fledgling Database Manager days on OS/2 to DB2 Version 8 ESE). He can say a lot about DBMS; some of it is even reliable. He currently manages a development and production support database team in one of Fidelity’s many business units. This business unit has standardized new development on distributed DB2.