Support Specialist Production

Rajasekhar L

E-mail: **********@*****.*** Mobile: 480-***-****

Summary:

Experienced IBM Mainframe Infrastructure Specialist with over 15 years of hands-on expertise in z/OS systems engineering, LPAR/MIPS management, datacenter migrations, and tool modernization. Demonstrated success in managing complex mainframe environments, implementing z/OS infrastructure upgrades, and migrating from Broadcom to IBM tools. Skilled in tape backup/restore, remote mainframe administration, vendor SLA management, and performance/capacity tuning. Adept at working collaboratively across vendors, infrastructure, and application teams to maintain SLAs and deliver stable operations.

My proficiency spans diverse domains, with a notable presence in industries such as Telecommunications, Payments (AMEX and PAYPAL), Insurance,Health Care, Financial Services

(Credit Cards, CVS, Private Banking, etc.), and Retail. I have contributed my skills and insights to renowned multinational entities including AT&T, PayPal, Honda auto, HSBC, BNP Paribas Bank, Dixon, among others.

Mainframe Production Support Specialist with over years of experience in IBM z/OS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, IMS DB/DC, CICS, and VSAM systems. Extensive expertise in L1, L2, and L3 support across banking, insurance, and retail domains. Proven ability in incident resolution, batch job monitoring, problem management, root cause analysis, change implementation, and disaster recovery (DR) support. Strong track record in ensuring system availability, minimizing downtime, and working under SLAs.

Onsite experience in USA, UK and worked for clients American Express, PayPal, Lowes Inc (USA),US Foods Inc and DIXONS (Chain of Retail Stores in UK),.

Experience in collecting various Project metrics using Traceability Matrix templates

Proven ability to determine priorities, schedule work and meet critical deadlines.

Managed resource allocation in project-level schedules and ensured efficient use of resources across projects.

Experience in modern software development life cycle (Agile/SCRUM methodology). Strong hands on experience in an Agile environment.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a track record of motivating and developing team leaders and team players

Experienced and technically proficient Mainframe IMS Engineer with over 6 years of expertise in managing IMS architecture, system administration, and cross-platform integration within large-scale mainframe environments. Proven track record in IMS DB/DC, COBOL, Assembler, SMP/E, and z/OSMF with strong hands-on experience in performance tuning, DB management, and subsystem connectivity (CICS, MQ, DB2). Adept at leading IMS upgrades, managing control blocks, and producing comprehensive runbooks and architecture documentation. Committed to continuous learning through IBM Redbooks and industry best practices. Education:

MBA, Human Resources Management and Services from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Electronics and Communications Engineering, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India .

Professional Experience:

Branta Group LLC, Costco JAN ’24 -APR’25

Sr. Mainframe Production Support

Monitored and managed mainframe systems to ensure 24/7 availability and performance.

Attending Daily Standup meeting, Sprint planning, User-story refinement, Sprint Retrospective, weekly demos etc,.

Provide 24/7 L1-L3 production support for mainframe applications including credit card, billing, and loan systems.

Monitor batch job schedules (CA7, Control-M) and respond to abends using Abend-AID and job logs. Page 1 of 5

Perform incident triage (L1), analysis and resolution (L2), and code fixes with RCA (L3).

Troubleshoot CICS and IMS transactions, resolve DB2 deadlocks, and escalate hardware/network issues.

Automate job restart procedures using REXX scripts and improve first-time resolution by 25%.

Participate in weekend releases and coordinate with change and release teams for deployment validation.

Monitored mainframe systems and handled job failures, spooling issues, and data transmission errors.

Supported online and batch environments in z/OS and IMS/DC with over 500+ daily jobs.

Provided off-hours on-call support for severity 1 and 2 incidents, achieving 99.9% SLA compliance.

Handled FTP/NDM/XCOM data transfers across environments and performed RACF ID management.

Performed IPL prep, LPAR checks, and disaster recovery tests quarterly. Concentrix Inc., AT & T JAN ’18 -DEC’23

Sr. Mainframe Production Support & Network Specialist

Monitored and managed mainframe systems to ensure 24/7 availability and performance.

Attending Daily Standup meeting, Sprint planning, User-story refinement, Sprint Retrospective, weekly demos etc,.

Handled L1 ticket resolution for job monitoring, printer issues, and user queries via ticketing tools.

Performed initial diagnostics and escalated tickets as needed to L2/L3 support teams.

Updated knowledge base articles and improved documentation quality by 30%.

Participated in RCA meetings and created reports for recurring incidents.

Performed full lifecycle install/upgrade/maintenance for IBM NetView, CA Spool, Multisess, Host on Demand, and mainframe consoles.

Architected and configured VTAM major nodes and TCP/IP stacks to support high-availability SNA and IP traffic.

Managed encryption standards across mainframe TCP/IP stack using AT-TLS policies to comply with enterprise standards.

Diagnosed critical network outages, latency, and protocol mismatches using RMF and NetView automation traps.

Participated in multiple DR exercises, validating failover of IP connectivity and VTAM/NCP failback scenarios.

Created comprehensive technical SOPs, network maps, and change-control documentation in SharePoint.

Led upgrade of IBM Host on Demand across 500+ clients ensuring secure certificate-based connections.

Configured VTAM and TCP/IP layers to support new LPAR addition in Sysplex, enabling cross-domain SNA and IP routing.

Implemented IP filtering and port security on z/OS stack, in conjunction with RACF-based access policies.

Tuned OMEGAMON alerts for link congestion and throughput degradation in real-time.

Coordinated with DBAs and application teams to ensure seamless integration between batch jobs and terminal sessions.

Mentored junior systems programmers on VTAM troubleshooting, RACF setups, and NetView alert scripting.

Installed and maintained printer and spool management systems (CA Spool) for distributed and centralized output.

Handled upgrades for IBM Multisess and console infrastructure across multi-LPAR systems.

Supported IP failover configurations using VIPA and DVIPA with dynamic routing under Sysplex Distributor.

Assisted in configuring SNMP traps for mainframe infrastructure monitoring.

Created and reviewed audit reports to ensure security compliance across mainframe networking. Amex Express Checkout (AEC) JAN ’16 – DEC’17

Production Support and IMS Systems Specialist

Monitored and managed mainframe systems to ensure 24/7 availability and performance. Page 2 of 5

Lead IMS software installs, RSU upgrades, and maintenance using SMP/E, usermods, and automation.

Perform SYSGEN modifications, buffer tuning, and region reconfiguration for enhanced performance.

Manage IMS DB/DC subsystems, define DBDs and PSBs, execute DL/I utilities, and conduct ACBLIB refreshes.

Configure and maintain subsystem connectivity with CICS, DB2, MQ, and implement LU6.2/NJE protocols.

Support IMS Connect and web service integration for distributed client access (SOAP/XML over TCP/ IP).

Troubleshoot application abends (U0777, U4038), message queue failures, and segment access errors using Fault Analyzer, dumps, and trace logs.

Implement IMS restart strategies (cold, warm, emergency), integrated with DFSMShsm for backup and recovery.

Automate recurring admin tasks using REXX and JCL; developed Assembler-based exits for LOGON/ SPITB.

Coordinate with DBAs and operations on production issues, documenting changes via change-control systems.

Mentor junior staff, develop detailed runbooks, and lead knowledge-sharing sessions across infrastructure teams.

Investigated and resolved production issues promptly to minimize downtime and service disruptions.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams including developers, DBAs, and system administrators to identify and address root causes of issues.

Implemented preventive maintenance procedures to proactively identify and resolve potential bottlenecks and performance concerns.

Developed and maintained documentation for support processes, troubleshooting guides, and knowledge base articles.

Participated in on-call rotation, responding to and resolving critical incidents outside of regular business hours.

US Foods Inc Aug ’15 – DEC’16

DB2 Administrator

Managed DB2 catalog and directory health checks, ensuring integrity post IPLs and maintenance windows.

Integrated DB2 with IMS, CICS, MQ, and WebSphere middleware to support real-time financial transactions.

Set up DSNZPARM configurations and implemented subsystem-level tuning across multiple LPARs.

Supported data masking and encryption initiatives to comply with PCI and HIPAA standards.

Provided on-call support for high-severity incidents, resolving lock escalations and deadlocks.

Executed DB2 utilities like LOAD/UNLOAD, RUNSTATS, REORG with minimal downtime for batch cycles.

Documented SOPs, runbooks, and DR procedures for audits and compliance.

Trained junior DBAs and production support on job failure recovery and DB2 space management.

Participated in RACF security reviews for DB2 objects and supported audit requirements.

Administered DB2 subsystems for production, development, and test environments with 24/7 availability SLAs.

Performed DB2 version upgrades (V11 V12) using SMP/E and validated compatibility for all applications.

Implemented performance improvements by optimizing buffer pool sizing and EDM pool usage, resulting in 20% response time reduction.

Supported developers with EXPLAIN plan analysis, dynamic SQL tuning, and SQLCODE troubleshooting.

Automated backup and reorg scheduling using REXX and batch jobs via CA-7. Page 3 of 5

Dixon’s Store Group (DSGi) International PLC Inc, UK (Onsite) Sep’ 07 – July’ 15 DB2 Administrator

Managed DB2 catalog and directory health checks, ensuring integrity post IPLs and maintenance windows.

Integrated DB2 with IMS, CICS, MQ, and WebSphere middleware to support real-time financial transactions.

Set up DSNZPARM configurations and implemented subsystem-level tuning across multiple LPARs.

Supported data masking and encryption initiatives to comply with PCI and HIPAA standards.

Provided on-call support for high-severity incidents, resolving lock escalations and deadlocks.

Executed DB2 utilities like LOAD/UNLOAD, RUNSTATS, REORG with minimal downtime for batch cycles.

Documented SOPs, runbooks, and DR procedures for audits and compliance.

Trained junior DBAs and production support on job failure recovery and DB2 space management.

Participated in RACF security reviews for DB2 objects and supported audit requirements.

Administered DB2 subsystems for production, development, and test environments with 24/7 availability SLAs.

Performed DB2 version upgrades (V11 V12) using SMP/E and validated compatibility for all applications.

Implemented performance improvements by optimizing buffer pool sizing and EDM pool usage, resulting in 20% response time reduction.

Supported developers with EXPLAIN plan analysis, dynamic SQL tuning, and SQLCODE troubleshooting.

Automated backup and reorg scheduling using REXX and batch jobs via CA-7. Target Group Inc - USA, Pune, India (Offshore Project) Feb’ 05 – Aug’ 06

&

Borders Group Inc (BGI) - USA, Pune, India (Offshore Project) Feb’ 05 - Dec’ 05 Senior DB2 Systems Programmer

Manage and support DB2 subsystems across multiple client LPARS in a high-availability z/OS environment.

Install, maintain, and upgrade DB2 versions and OEM tools using SMP/E and IBM best practices.

Support parallel sysplex configuration and DB2 data sharing groups to optimize workload balancing.

Tune DB2 performance by analyzing buffer pools, reorganization strategies, and SQL access paths.

Provide on-call 24x7 production support, including emergency fixes and failover recovery.

Participate in Disaster Recovery exercises, performing DB2 catalog recovery and subsystem restoration.Collaborate with clients to evaluate version enhancements, perform impact analysis, and implement change controls.

Led major z/OS and DB2 version upgrades across 8 LPARS with minimal downtime and high compliance.

Developed SMP/E installation packages and customized usermods for DB2, QMF, and BMC tools.

Automated DB2 object backups, health checks, and utility job scheduling using REXX and JCL.

Analyzed DASD usage and optimized VSAM datasets and catalog structures to reduce MIPS costs.

Worked directly with IBM and Broadcom vendors to resolve PMRs and ensure SLA compliance.

Configured DB2 data sharing group for disaster recovery in a multi-site sysplex.

Audited and enforced DB2 security policies using RACF and analyzed vulnerability reports.

Developed and executed DB2 housekeeping, REORG, and RUNSTATS cycles to ensure stability.

Wrote documentation including SOPs, DR Runbooks, and internal health check procedures HSBC GLT Pvt Ltd., Pune, India Jun’ 02 – Jan’ 05

Client: HSBC Private Banking- Switzerland and HBEU, HSBC U.K Sheffield's Responsibilities:

IBM Mainframe System Administrator

Page 4 of 5

Led enterprise-wide z/OS upgrades (V2.3 V2.5), coordinating across storage, operations, and vendor teams.

Successfully migrated Broadcom CA tools (Scheduler, 1-View, SYSVIEW) to IBM equivalents (TWS, OMEGAMON).

Created and managed LPARs across multiple CPCs, ensuring optimal MIPS utilization through WLM policies.

Supported tape backup and restores using DFSMS, DFSMShsm, and integration with virtual tape subsystems (VTS).Provided 24/7 support for infrastructure issues, managing incident queues and RCA documentation in ServiceNow.

Performed capacity forecasting and presented monthly health reports to IT leadership and vendor stakeholders.

Designed and implemented remote LPAR management solution for offsite administrators using secure TN3270.

Played key role in planning and executing mainframe data center consolidation project, saving $500K annually.

Automated infrastructure monitoring with RMF and MainView, triggering proactive alerts on CPU and I/O spikes.

Participated in disaster recovery drills and developed tape restore procedures reducing RTO by 35%.

Coordinated with IBM and other third-party vendors for patching, compliance, and performance escalations.

Installed and configured z/OS images on new LPARs; customized PARMLIB members for JES2, console routing, and SMF.

Monitored LPAR utilization and tuned dispatching priorities to avoid over-commitment of CPU resources.

Led batch window optimization effort that improved job throughput by 20% during nightly cycles.

Generated weekly capacity reports and delivered them to the IT Ops team and third-party vendors.

Created detailed SOPs for tape backup, virtual tape setup, HSM migration, and system IPL checklists. BNP Paribas Bank, Mumbai, India JAN 2000 to May 2002 Responsibilities:

Production support and Enhancements

Coding and Unit Testing.System Testing Support.

Client Interactions for Resolution of bugs, Enhancements and Modifications. Environment: AIX, IBM RS/6000, UNIKIX, MicroFocus-COBOL, ORACLE 8.1, EXCEED, UNIX Scripts, VSAM.References: Available on Request

Technical Skills & Tools:

• Problem-solving and Troubleshooting, z/OS Infrastructure Upgrades, Broadcom to IBM Tools Migration

• LPAR Creation, Management, and MIPS Allocation, Mainframe Backup & Restore (Tape/Virtual)

• Datacenter Migration & Mainframe Design, Capacity Planning & Performance Tuning

• Remote Administration of LPARs,SMP/E, PARMLIB, PROCLIB, JES2/3, SYSLOG

• Mainframe Monitoring (RMF, OMEGAMON, MainView), Disaster Recovery (GDGs, HSM, FlashCopy)

• IBM Tools: z/OSMF, SDSF, TSO/ISPF, RACF,Change/Incident Management (ServiceNow, BMC Remedy)

• Vendor & SLA Management, Incident Management and Root Cause Analysis,

• Batch Job Scheduling and Execution,Performance Monitoring and Tuning,

• Communication and Collaboration,Documentation and Knowledge Management

• DB2 Subsystem Installation & Upgrades (via SMP/E, z/OSMF)

• Backup/Recovery (COPY, QUIESCE, RECOVER, IMAGE COPY, MERGECOPY)

• Performance Tuning (Buffer Pools, EDM Pools, Dynamic SQL, Runstats)

• Data Integrity & Security (Audit, RACF, Role-based Access)

• DB2 Utilities (REORG, LOAD, UNLOAD, CHECK, MODIFY RECOVERY) Page 5 of 5

Contact this candidate