z/OS Systems Programmer

ROBIN WAYNE JACKSON

**** ***** ******** ****

Lebanon, TN 37090

Home 615-***-****

Cell 615-***-****

***********@***.*** (email)

PROFILE:

An experienced Systems Programmer with over twenty eight years of IBM Operating System and OEM software installation and maintenance support abilities. I have spent the last 20 years working in support of MVS/ESA, OS/390 and z/OS operating systems. Previously eight years as a Systems Engineer providing customer services support for Amdahl Corporation. Ten years experience utilizing personal computers in the area of both hardware and software installation, upgrades and configurations. Considered extremely reliable, energetic and aggressive, possessing professionalism at all times. Capable of accomplishing difficult tasks efficiently and effectively without supervision, while maximizing the utilization of resources available with regard to both material and personnel. I demonstrate superior leadership, project and personnel managerial skills at all times. Over 10 years of experience with z/Series technologies, including IBM processors z800, z900, z890, z990, z9 and z10. Have performed several implementations of z/OS Parallel Sysplex, that included configuring coupling facilities, and defining coupling facility structures. Throughout my career, I have been involved in constructing ACS routines, the configuration of DFSMShsm, DFSMSrmm, and DFSMF in general. Maintained the VTS on several assignments as well as setting up and maintaining USS.

In several positions that I have held, I functioned as the Team Lead for all Disaster Recovery processes to include both planning and execution. I also currently hold an Interim Secret Clearance. I have over 25 years in Systems Programming going back to MVT, MVS, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, OS/390 and z/OS. All of which I was involved in installation, setup, debugging, and problem determination. I held a position for 5 years where I was involved in troubleshooting system problems on a daily basis.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Some of the major initiatives that have been implemented during different assignments at various client installations include, the implementation of the OSA Integrated Console Controller (ICC) feature, HFS to ZFS conversions, implementation and exploitation of the Intelligent Resource Director (IRD) which included WLM LPAR CPU management, Channel Path Management and Channel Subsystem I/O Priority Queueing implementation. The implementation of migrating SMF from Data Set Recording to Log Stream Logging was also implemented on several occasions. Another initiative that was accomplished was the implementation of SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval which provided for the automation of normal z/OS maintenance retrieval from IBM.

Previously while employed by Riteaid Corporation, completed the replacement of all 9672 processors with z/800 and z/900 processors as well as the upgrade from z/OS V1.4 to z/OS V1.7 via Serverpac and CustomPac installation. Also completed the upgrade from z/OS V1.4 to z/OS V1.7 via Serverpac for a client in West Virginia on a short term contract basis. Both of the z/OS upgrades included the installation and customization of VTAM, TCP/IP, Netview, and additional program products.

I personally performed the installation of z/OS V1.4 via ServerPac from OS/390 V2.10 in 2002 at Riteaid Corporation. Supported 6 9672 G6 processors with 12 logical partitions in a Parallel Sysplex complex with 1 separate Systems Programmer test Parallel Sysplex for installation and verification of systems software before production implementation. Have consistently performed updates to and written and/or modified required REXX execs. These have been REXX execs required for installation and maintenance of the z/OS operating system, TSO, ISPF (for logon allocations), SDSF and vendor/OEM supplied products.

Participated as the Lead Systems Programmer to support the business continuance and assurance process in the disaster recovery effort during my 4 year tenure with Riteaid Corporation.

Participated in a major insourcing project that involved the building of a new data center as well as a new alternate disaster recovery site. Some of the duties included interrogating the operating system and third party products as they existed and operated under the control of an outsourcer. Made modifications as necessary in preparation for moving the operation back in house locally. Performed the necessary physical planning required to support the installation of 2 new 9672 processors, one for the primary and one for the DR site. Participated in project planning meetings on an ongoing basis to ensure a timely installation. Participated in dry runs and transition day rehearsals to ensure a smooth transition. Participated in the final transition to move all processing to the local data center. In all positions that I have held over the past 20+ years I have carried a pager or cell phone and been available on a 24 x 7 basis for assistance and troubleshooting situations.

Provided day to day MVS level 2 problem support for the MVS/ESA 5.2, OS/390 and all associated 3rd party software products. This support included problem resolution, dump resolution and associated tasks required to effect timely problem resolution. Installed and maintained operating systems, and third party product software. Headed up the tactical performance problem identification and resolution team. Possess a high level of expertise in the areas of OS/390 (currently 2.8), TSO, SDSF, Assembler, JES2, ISPF, HCD, etc. Currently involved in the project to upgrade OS390 to release 2.10 and follow on with z/OS 1.1.

Performed customer migrations which required moving a customer’s entire operating system, full complement of third party software, and all data from their location to the PKS Information Services location. Upon completion of the migration all data processing for a customer would be performed at the PKS location.

Performed multiple MVS operating system upgrades at different times, both managing the project and performing all associated tasks. Tasks associated with the upgrades included performing the necessary research to identify the required third party and IBM program product upgrades, usermods and any required tasks to implement the upgrade as transparently as possible. The systems that were upgraded were MVS/XA to MVS/ESA 4.3 and MVS/ESA 3.1.3 to MVS/ESA 4.3.

Provideded the detailed planning and task assignment for CPU and DASD installations and upgrades.

Provided value added services to customers by assisting in MVS diagnostics and dump analysis, I/O configuration recommendations, Multiple Domain Facility(MDF) and PR/SM configuration and recommendations, hardware problem isolation and troubleshooting assistance, performance and tuning, and capacity planning assistance.

Provided technical support for the installation of a major Bell South Services UTS application. (UTS is an implementation of UNIX on the mainframe platform).

Achieved and maintained the highest level of customer satisfaction in the South Florida territory.

Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer during training and regular duties in the US Marine Corps.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Contractor for TekSystems,Inc. to Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Tennessee in Chattanooga, TN

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (06/2011- Present)

Ensured the reliability and availability of enterprise systems across the mainframe platform, and related infrastructure technologies)

Understanding the processes and procedures for computer hardware and software maintenance and installation

Determined data recovery, maintenance, integrity and storage management requirements across the mainframe platform

Performed capacity planning to ensure systems maintenance and adequate performance of system resources

Contributed to the development of policies and procedures related to installation, maintenance and inventory

Implemented pre-defined hardware / software solutions

Implemented the IBM z/OS Management Facility, including the IBM WebSphere Application Server OEM Edition for z/OS.

30 years of current systems programming

Experience with DISA compliance standards

Knowledge of storage management and change management tools and concepts

Expert Experience and knowledge level of TSO, ISPF, JCL, MVS

Knowledge of security management concepts

Knowledge of Project Management Methodology (PMM) or Product Change Management procedures

PC skills

Subcontractor to HP to support DHS Systems in Herndon, VA

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer/Mainframe Engineer (03/2011- 06/2011)

Performing the duties of a z/OS Systems Programmer. Providing installation, customization, maintenance and support for the IBM z/OS Operating System software and associated subsystems and Independent Software Vendor software products. Presently working with a team of Systems Programmers to accomplish the relocation of systems consisting of 2 IBM z196 processors at the z/OS V1R12 level. This relocation is taking place in support of systems for the Department of Homeland Security.

Contractor to Nationwide Insurance Company in Columbus, OH

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (07/2010 – 11/2010)

Performing in the role of a Senior z/OS Systems Programmer. Accomplishing an analysis of Nationwide’s WorkLoad Management policies to affect an optimum level of performance of their z/OS Operating System. Participating in their mainframe resiliency, software reduction, future directions, capacity analysis and z/OS CPU recovery forecast efforts. Provided research, knowledge and expertise to assist in accomplishing a major project to implement a mainframe resiliency strategy at Nationwide. Some of the goals were to reduce the number of both planned and unplanned outages, simplify and standardize the environment to reduce costs and operational complexity, accommodate continued growth and change driven by business and continue to exploit new technologies that improve service and reduce cost. Also was a key resource in developing the long term implementation plan of the technology infrastructure roadmap for the z/OS Platform.

Contractor to IBM at the Global Delivery Framework facility in East Fishkill, NY

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (04/2010 – 07/2010)

Performed in the role of a Senior z/OS Systems Programmer, installing and upgrading the z/OS Operating System software for various clients of IBM. Performed upgrades of the z/OS Operating System software from z/OS V1R9 to z/OS V1R10 and also performed some upgrades of the z/OS V1R10 to the z/OS V1R11 level.

Contractor for HP Enterprise Services, Supporting DISA Capacity Management Branch , Mechanicsburg, PA

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (11/2009 – 02/2010)

Performing in the role of Infrastructure Specialist (Capacity Planning)

Providing mainframe capacity management support to the client (DISA), supporting mainframe capacity management initiatives, which involve analysis and research. Performing the analysis of utilization and performance data to determine capacity and performance baselines. Performing research required to effect the successful upgrade of IBM system z9 processor(s) to IBM system z10 processor(s) as well as operating system upgrades IBM z/OS V1R9 to IBM z/OS V1R11 as well as the implementation of the Intelligent Resource Director (IRD) feature provided in the V1R9 on z/OS.

Contractor for SAIC to United States Marine Corps

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (04/2009 - 06/2009)

Provided z/OS Systems Programming support / staff augmentation to the Marine Corps Network Operations and Security Command on a short term contract basis.

Cognizant Technology Services, Nashville, Tennessee

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (02/18/08 – 04/30/09)

The ZOS Systems Engineering Manager position that I hold at Cognizant requires a diverse background in Operating Systems, application support, and vendor management. An integral part of the position also requires providing support for Cognizant Technology Solution’s client Emdeon. Emdeon is a leading provider of revenue and payment cycle solutions that connect payers, providers and patients to integrate and automate key business and administrative functions throughout the patient encounter.

Support is provided for the following:

• z/OS Operating system V1.8

• DFSMS, DFHSM, and storage management as a whole

• CA-Endevor, ISPF, Cobol compilers

• PKZIP, FTP, RACF, TCP/IP and VTAM

• WLM, RMF, RMF Monitor III, Omegamon, Epilog.

• SMF/PDB, SAS, Data Processing Chargeback

• COBOL, ASSEMBLER, REXX

I am also responsible for the following tasks (and others as they arose):

• Performing level 1 & 2 problem resolution for both internal users and external clients.

o Managing problem resolution through coordination with Verizon Data Services and IBM as needed

Validating vendor solutions for accuracy, completeness, and their impact to EBS business processing

• Act as the primary liaison to Verizon Data Services

o Manage infrastructure related projects

Coordinate RSU implementations

Ad hoc projects – load balancing, etc.

o Evaluate technical recommendations by vendors for accuracy, technical soundness, and impact to EBS business processing

o Coordinate maintenance windows / opened change tickets

operational verification post change

o Participate in weekly / ad hoc calls

• Provide Production support services

o Create GDGs

o Review scheduling changes

o Create Userids

o Resolve security related issues

o Provide technical guidance and expertise to Production Control and Application Development

• Monitor the Production Environment

o Proactive storage management

o Resolve performance related problems that impact key deliverables and overnight batch windows

• Support Chargeback and cost reduction efforts

o Validate monthly charges from Verizon and investigate any anomalies

Proactively monitor Verizon charges – daily

o Identifiy opportunities for cost reduction and containment

Work with Applications Development to implement programming, design, and operational changes to reduce costs

o Provide level 3 support for monthly chargeback processing and transaction counting.

Independent Contractor, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (12/01/06 – 01/25/2008)

I am currently on an assignment at the IBM Washington Systems Center. I am working with the group involved in supporting customer benchmarking tests. I am providing the z/OS Systems software support. This requires support of WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Portal Server, and also IBM Tivoli Omegamon products. I was also involved with the implementation of the Integrated Console Controller feature which required additional OSA configuration as well as workstation configurations.

I recently completed an assignment providing z/OS Systems Programming support for a major financial company in Columbus, Ohio. I had involvement in a project to implement a Strength of Standards solution for the company. That effort involved developing operating system standards, configuring all LPARs in a standard method for ease of management. It also required providing predictability of service by having a set of standard settings for all systems.

Recently performed services as a subcontractor to EDS for a contract to the US Army providing z/OS installation, maintenance and support in Alexandria, VA. Performed an operating system upgrade from z/OS V1R7 to z/OS V1R9. I had involvement in all of the required z/OS support and also some involvement in MQ series and Websphere/MQ and implementation of a file transfer solution utilizing IBM’s Enterprise Service Bus. I took initiatives to implement automatic SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval, implement WLM goal mode, install and customize the IBM Health Checker for z/OS provided in z/OS V1R7, recommended and implemented GRS. The client was running CA-MIM. I also recommended and implemented a HFS to ZFS conversion, an upgrade to JAVA and parallel sysplex, I planned and implemented the OSA-Express Integrated Console Controller to replace the clients 3174s. I was also the lead in supporting the Army’s disaster recovery effort. Additionally, provided support and recommendations in the areas of VTAM and TCP/IP for configuration and system optimization.

Prior to the position in Alexandria, Va I performed the services for a major retail customer located in Hudson, OH required to augment their normal z/OS operating system support staff. Provided day to day technical support and problem resolution, providing support for the operating system and OEM products. Products included Tivoli Workload Schedular, SAP and DB2. I also performed the necessary research and analysis required to effect the implementation of a true parallel sysplex as opposed to a basic sysplex, implementation of the IBM Health Checker for z/OS and implementation of SMP/E Internet Service Retrieval, and the upgrade of JAVA to the IBM 64-bit SDK for z/OS, Java 2 Technology Edition V5 version.

Independent Contractor, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Senior z/OS Systems Programmer (07/01/06 – 09/01/06)

Performed the upgrade from z/OS V1.4 to z/OS V1.7 via Serverpac for a client in West Virginia on a short term contract basis. Also provided day to day technical support and problem resolution, providing support for the operating system and OEM products. Products included Tivoli Workload Scheduler, DFSMSrmm and various other products. Currently fulfilling an obligation on a short term contract for a major retailer in Ohio, performing day to day technical support and additional system analysis to include the analysis of the client SMPE environment, Workload Manager Service Definition, problem determination for Tivoli Workload Scheduler, the SAP workload and considering SAP optimization, and also Parallel Sysplex configuration.

Rite Aid Corporation, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Senior Systems Programmer (07/08/02 - 07/01/06)

Worked as a Systems Programmer in a state-of-the-art Parallel Sysplex environment. In addition to z/OS installation and maintenance duties, was responsible for complex troubleshooting, Disaster Recovery planning, evaluation/selection of new hardware and software, and back up storage administration (DFSMS, DFHSM). Experience with maintaining Parallel Sysplex configurations, z/OS performance monitoring (SMF, RMF, Mainview, and Omegamon), and MVS-related exit coding (JES2 and SMF). Also provided support for the installation and maintenance and customization required to support utilization and exploitation of Unix Systems Services (USS) formerly known as Open Edition/ Open MVS.

Provided OS/390 and z/OS operating system support as well as installation and maintenance of all required third party products. Specific tasks would include SMP/E maintenance, utilizing HCD to maintain the IODF/IOCDS. Implemented the SDSF server. Assisted in a switchover from CA products to alternate OEM products in an effort to reduce software costs. Installed Dumpmaster, Insync, Tubes, QuickRef and various other OEM software. Maintained 12 LPARs on 6 CECs in a Parallel Sysplex, keeping all systems at a compatible operating systems software level. Implemented an SMP maintenance strategy to keep all systems at the most current software level. Provided the day to day support to ensure 7 x 24 availability of all systems. Supported CA-View, CA-Panvalet, CA-Librarian, IBM Tivoli Workload Schedular, Cybermation-ESP, and various other IBM program products and OEM Vendor provided products.

Also performed as the team lead for planning and execution of the technical support team disaster recovery functions. Installed and customized the entire BMC suite of Mainview products. The products included MV/zOS & OS390, MV/CICS, MV/DB2, MV/VTAM, MV/TCPIP, MV System Programmer Services, MV/Autooperator. I have extensive experience with MV/Autooperator coding rules and REXX execs as requirements dictated. In this position I also installed and/or upgraded Connect:Direct on z/OS and performed the required customization. I also assisted our network Systems Programmers in the installation and configuration of the Network CMC and minimally assisted in the NCP configuration as well as the customization of the Enterprise Extender. Provided installation and support for the IBM AFP and PSF products.

Commerce Bank, Kansas City, Missouri

Senior Software Specialist (07/01 - 05/02)

This project was an in-sourcing effort. Commerce Bank had been outsourced to IBM Global Services for approxiamately 10 years. A new CIO was brought in and decided to bring the IT support and function back in-house. A project was initiated to build a data center from the ground up. Analysis had to be done to establish how the system was set up and maintained by IBM. This required analyzing the SA/390 product to identify how the automation was employed. This also involved an analysis of the OPC environment.

Provided OS/390 operating system support as well as installation and maintenance of all required third party products. Specific tasks would include SMP/E maintenance, utilizing HCD to maintain the IODF/IOCDS. Worked on implementing the SDSF server While there, installed Candle products, Omegamon, AF/Operator, AF/Remote.Installed MXG, SAS, and upgraded Quickref. Provided the day to day support to ensure 7 x 24 availability of all systems.

DST Systems, INC., Kansas City, Missouri

Senior MVS Systems Programmer (05/97 - 07/01)

Provided MVS/ESA and OS/390 operating system support as well as installation of multiple third party software installation and support duties. Worked in a level 2 problem support capacity. Performed various performance problem analysis duties including the analysis required to resolve immediate performance problems, and evaluating new or enhanced performance management products. Also installed and maintained operating system and 3rd party software and maintenance as required. Maintained IBM PSP service as required for all supported products. Tracked and applied IBM HIPER maintenance as required to be proactive and prevent operating system software failures. I have also performed installation of OS/390 utilizing CustomPac dialogs to install an IBM supplied ServerPac. Responsibilities also included researching PSP buckets when new hardware was scheduled to be installed. (i.e. Shark DASD, z series 2604 processors, etc). Also ensuring required toleration/coexistence maintenance was applied prior to operating system upgrades.

PKS Information Services, INC., Omaha, Nebraska

Senior MVS Systems Programmer (11/94 - 03/97)

Performed customer migrations which required moving a customer’s entire operating system, full

complement of third party software, and all data from their location to the PKS Information Services location.

Upon completion of the migration all data processing for a customer would be performed at the PKS location.

Performed multiple MVS operating system upgrades at different times, both managing the project and

performing all associated tasks. Tasks associated with the upgrades included performing the necessary

research to identify the required third party and IBM program product upgrades, usermods and any required

tasks to implement the upgrade as transparently as possible. The systems that were upgraded were

MVS/XA to MVS/ESA 4.3 and MVS/ESA 3.1.3 to MVS/ESA 4.3.

Cameron of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

Independent Contractor (01/94 - 11/94)

Performing MVS/XA 2.2.3 to MVS/ESA 4.3 and MVS/ESA 3.1.3 upgrades, utilizing DFDSS, SMPE, ISMF, Goal Systems Sysview, CBIPO, SMS, SDSF, ISPF and JES2. System performance and tuning. Installation and/or upgrades of various third party OEM products. Performing the tasks associated with the migration of new customers. Performed an MVS/XA 2.2.3 to MVS/ESA 4.3 upgrade. Utilizing DFDSS, SMPE, ISMF, Goal Systems Sysview, CBIPO, SMS, SDSF and ISPF and JES2.

Amdahl Corporation, Miami, Florida

Systems Engineer (05/85 - 12/93)

Responsibilities of this position included all activities associated with customer service and support at Amdahl customer accounts, including but not limited to Bell South Services, Ryder Truck Rental, Florida Power and Light, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Metro-Dade County in Miami.

The activities of the customer services Systems Engineer(SE) include communicating with the customer technical support, operations, and management staffs on a daily basis in order to maintain a proactive environment and to maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities included maintaining proficiency in troubleshooting and problem determination, reporting and giving complete documentation, and following up all assigned software or hardware problems to final resolution. Additionally assistance is provided in system generation planning, recommending options that improve serviceability and availability, and providing recommendations and/or installation of all applicable PTFs, APARs, and any necessary temporary fixes or circumvention as situations dictate. Technical consulting services such as IOCDS generation when planning a conversion or migration to new equipment or software, analysis of channel path to DASD configurations to avoid device or control unit contention problems, DASD cache simulation and data set placement analysis when performing data set migrations to new hardware are other responsibilities. An SE must also maintain preparedness for customer presentations and meetings.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE:

United States Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

MVS Systems Programmer (1979-1985)

The responsibilities of this position included MVS system control program installation, and maintenance, development and implementation of local user modifications, performance and tuning, installation and maintenance of JES2 exit routines, installation and maintenance of third party software products such as, UCC-1 tape management system, Innovation's FDR product, ROSCOE installation maintenance and administration, Top Secret, Omegamon and various other products. Another of the responsibilities included MVS diagnostic techniques and storage dump analysis for software problem resolution. Proficient in the use of JCL, TSO/ISPF, SMP/4/E Utilities, Librarian, FDR, Omegamon, VSAM, and UCC-1.

EDUCATION:

Software Education:

MVS - System Fundamentals, Structure and Flow, Diagnostic

Techniques and Performance and Tuning, ESA/390 Performance

and Tuning, OS/390 Performance and Tuning

Miscellaneous - VSAM, SMP/E, VM Installation, VM/CMS, CP Internals

HP-9000 UNIX system administration

Programming - COBOL, Assembler, REXX, (Presently studying 'C'#, JAVA, SQL, SQL Server 2005, Eclipse, Visual Studio)

Software Product Experience:

z/OS V1R4, z/OS V1R7, OS/390 V1-V2R10, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA V3, MVS/ESA V4, MVS/ESA V5, IPCS, Parallel Sysplex, OPC, RMM, SAS, MXG, SQL, Miscellaneous CA products, Candle Omegamon, AF/Operator products,BMC’s Autoops, MXG, Infopac, Abendaid, FDR/ABR, VTAM, Netview, Tubes, RACF, PSF, HCF, HCD, TCP/IP, GDDM, SRDF, Timefinder, CMF, Resolve, Dumpmaster, Insync, Quickref, BMC’s Mainview Suite of Products, High Level Assembler, DFDSS, VSAM, ICF, DITTO, EREP, ICKDSF, ISPF, QMF, RMF, SDF II, SDSF, SMP/E, TSO/E, VTAM, TOP SECRET, Syncsort, IOF, File-Aid, Thruput Manager, ESP, SA/390

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