The alternative tool
Since many years all the analysis based on SMF data have been performed using traditional tools, typically presenting flexibility but high cost or a reduced cost together with complex management requirements.

Maximum flexibility
EPV Parser for SMF addresses the problem allowing the maximum flexibility. SMF data can be interpreted, stored and used on all the major platforms (Mainframe Unix, Windows, Linux) using your favorite database. Low cost
By choosing the appropriate platform and database by itself allows for cost reduction. However the biggest cost savings can be obtained when the long and expensive SMF interpreting and loading phase can be moved from mainframe to distributed systems. Also if you decide to continue running SMF processing on the Mainframe it’s possible to reduce costs. EPV Parser for SMF in fact eliminate the need of other tools, normally much more expensive to interpret and collect SMF data.

Used technology
EPV Parser for SMF uses a proprietary technology; it’s written in PERL language and can be run in every environment. The EPV database contains all the SMF fields needed to support the existing Cost/Accounting, Service Level Reporting, Tuning and Capacity Planning applications.

Integrated with other EPV products
EPV Parser for SMF is fully integrated with the EPV products which analyze SMF data such as EPV for z/OS, EPV for DB2 and EPV Graph for z/OS.

Supported records
Supported records are: 30 (Address Spaces), 70-78 (resource and workload), 101 (DB2 activity), 110 (CICS activity), 116 (MQ activity), 120 (WEBSPHERE activity). EPV Parser interprets also Mainview for IMS FA records (IMS activity) and IDCAMS/DCOLLECT output (disk space usage).

Requirements
EPV Parser for SMF has no pre-requisites.

Trial
In order to perform an EPV Parser for SMF trial you need to send an e-mail to EPV Technologies or to our local representatives specifying "EPV Parser for SMF trial" in the subject.