DB2 User Groups Recognised at IDUG EMEA 2011 in Prague

Many DB2 for z/OS User Groups are well established and have regular meetings where they share knowledge, experiences and ideas.  We recognised many DB2 for z/OS User Groups at IDUG EMEA 2011 in Prague . If you are managing an DB2 for z/OS User Group please let me know so we can support you .

Although all the DB2 User Groups were recognized – three User Groups really stood out for their commitment and  dedication to the DB2 for z/OS community . Learn More

SQL Adria Group was recently recognized as “Best Well Established” DB2 for z/OS User Group in EMEA at IDUG EMEA 2011 in Prague .

More about SQL Adria

SQL Adria is the independent, non-profit organization that gathers relational database users for Croatia and Slovenia. It was founded 1994. and in the same year it has become the regional user group of IDUG. The members of SQL Adria are companies, e.g. users of relational databases (mainly DB2) on the one hand, and vendors on the other. The members of SQL Adria are well known and distinctive companies from Croatia and Slovenia (banks, health and pension insurance institutes, finance agency, IS and IT support agency, company for electricity distribution.

IMUG was recognized as “Most Innovative ” User Group at IDUG EMEA 2011 in Prague. 

Learn More about IMUG

IMUG aims to be the cross-brand, cross-application User Group in the Information Management space.
IMUG is a non-profit organization based on voluntary work. The goal is to bring Information Management Users together on a regular base to exchange experiences and to network.

SpDUG was recognized as the “Best Newcomer ” it was a newly established DB2 User Group and has grown to over 100 members .

Learn More about SpDUG

The user group SpDUG, Spain DB2 User Group welcomes all people, individually, want to collaborate in supporting and strengthening community information services related to DB2. To that end, anyone interested can register and participate in the Forum, which aims to be the medium of all of us in the SpDUG.

The user group SpDUG, Spain DB2 User Group, is established in late 2008 to extend and disseminate the principles of IDUG, International DB2 User Group, within which is included as Regional User Group.

New DB2 10 Book – Smarter, Faster Way to Upgrade ! Authors John Campbell, Cristian Molaro

Launching our New DB2 10 Book – at IBM Information On Demand 2011 in Las Vegas and IDUG DB2 Tech Conference EMEA 2011

The Smarter, Faster Way to Upgrade

Last year we had a taste of our first DB2 10 book, this was launched at IBM Information On Demand in Las Vegas. The feedback from customers, partners and IBMers was tremendous. Based on feedback and such a high demand we have launched our second book and one of the authors of this book is:- Mr John Campbell (JC)- IBM Distinguished Engineer . Many of you in the “World of DB2 for z/OS” will know John and also know how valuable the knowledge and experience John has in his “head”. We all know we can do with several “JC’s” in “World of DB2 for z/OS! Although we have not been able to clone John yet … we are offering you the next best thing..

Here is a snapshot of our next book which we will be launching at IBM Information On Demand Conference in Las Vegas and at IDUG DB2 Tech Conference in Prague.

So why is this book so timely and why are we all excited ? Many customers are currently in a dilemma and planning their DB2 for z/OS migration strategy. We all know that IBM have announced end of service of DB2 for z/OS Version 8 (Announced August 2010, effective April 30, 2012)

DB2 for z/OS V8 will have been in the market 8 years since it was available in 2004, DB2 9 for z/OS was GA in 2007 and DB2 10 for z/OS was GA in 2010

So what version are you on now? Which migration path should you take ? Should you SKIP ?
The key question for skipping DB2 9 is, “How long can you wait for that function?” If you are on DB2 V8 today, how long after GA do you wait before moving to a new version? Is it one year? Two? Or three? In those cases, you’ll start moving to DB2 10 in 2011, 2012 or 2013, and probably get there about a year later.
The savings for skipping a version migration are just under 50%, since the education and needed changes are about the same.
Do you need the improvements in DB2 9 before that? CPU savings, especially in utilities. Disk savings via compression for indexes. Improved insert and update rates. Improved SQL and pureXML for developer productivity. Better availability.
For customers who are still running V7, the option to skip V8  10 is very attractive and makes the current path clear. Customers who have just migrated to V8 may like this alternative for the short term.

These are just some of the questions and answers on people’s minds and a taste of our new book. If you want a copy then we are offering complimentary copies at IBM events/conferences.

Brush Up Your DB2 skills this summer – complimentary webcasts ..Top Speakers

DB2 10 for z/OS Migration Planning and Early Experiences
Speaker: John Campbell, IBM Distinguished Engineer, DB2 for z/OS Development, IBM Software Group
Register Now http://bit.ly/DB2JohnCampbell

Abstract: Join us for this complimentary webcast to hear about the very early experiences and lessons to be learned with DB2 10 for z/OS. The objective of this webcast is to provide hints and tips that will help you prepare for and execute your migration, while preventing pitfalls and addressing some myths you may have heard. We’ll also share valuable planning information and usage guidelines and share IBM positioning on new enhancements.

Simplify Database Management with DB2 for z/OS Universal Table Spaces
Speaker: Willie Favero, Senior Certified Consulting IT Software Specialist, IBM Software Group

Register Now http://bit.ly/WillieFavero
Abstract:- DB2 for z/OS delivers a feature that has generated considerable discussion. First made available in DB2 9, the structure type is called universal table space. This feature will significantly improve your DB2 experience by making DB2 easier to manage.

Title:- New features in DB2 10: First-in-industry temporal data and business intelligence analytics
Speakers:

- Mike Biere, Business Analytics and Data Warehousing Marketing Manager, IBM Software Group, author of “The New Era of Enterprise Business Intelligence”
- Julian Stuhler, Director/Head of Solutions Delivery, Triton Consulting

Register Now
Abstract:- DB2 10 not only meets the needs and wants of IT managers but also addresses the key business issues and concerns facing organizations today. It delivers powerful features to help customers improve performance, reduce costs, improve availability and make the right business decisions at the right time based on their data.

27th June – 10am central (US) 17:00 CET (Europe) Live Webcast – Best Blogs, Best Communities and Best Training in the World of DB2 for z/OS

REGISTER NOW

Join us 27 June 2011 at 10am Central (US) / 17:00 hrs CET (Europe) for The DB2Night Show z/OS Edition Episode #7. Because this is the last episode for the vacation break we would like to point out to you some great sites, blogs and communities that will keep you busy while we are planning new shows for you. Host Klaas Brant, an IBM DB2 GOLD Consultant, will be joined by: Surekha Parekh, the world wide DB2 for z/OS Marketing Manager, who will be joined by two famous bloggers Susan Visser and Willie Favero.

This show will cover the top DB2 for z/OS e-Communities, collaboration groups and blogs that are available for DB2 for z/OS users. With the growth of the internet. mobile devices and particularly social media there are multiple tools and communities which enable DB2 for z/OS users to share information, experiences, and grow skills.

It can be confusing to know which communities to join, how to engage in active discussions and how to find the information you are looking for quickly . This webcast will take you through the top DB2 for z/OS communities and blogs which try and integrate multiple communities and groups with RSS feeds and real-time information . We will also provide a list of contact names in DB2 community.

Participants in our virtual studio audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and give the presenters feedback on their experience with DB2 communities.

Check out DB2 for z/OS YouTube Channel

The World of DB2 for z/OS has just launched DB2 for z/OS channel on YouTube -check it out now for latest videos . Click Here Now

Get latest DB2 for z/OS Whitepapers including Exploiting Temporal Data, DB2 10 etc

Here is one link which takes you to all our latest DB2 for z/OS collateral – bookmark this it will save you time searching the Internet. Click here!

Technical Insights: Top-10 Reasons to Move to DB2 10

What are the Top-10 Reasons to Move to DB2 10
By Michael Jones Read More
10. Improvements to the catalog
9. Virtual storage restraint relief
8. Hash tables
7. Security and auditing.
6. Online schema evolution.
5. Plan stability
4. SQL enhancements.
3. Support for DB2 V8 is ending.
2. Temporal tables.
1. Performance improvements.

Did you miss our Q1 DB2 for z/OS & DataWarehouse Newsletter ?

If you did don’t worry -here is a copy for you to view on-line. If you would like your own quarterly copy please subscribe .
Click here to view
Subscribe Now for your complimentary copy

New DB2 Application Programming Certificate as part of our z Series education at an introductory price

I want to make the DB2 for z/OS community aware of our up coming DB2 Application Programming offering from the Institute for Data Center Professionals at Marist College.
We are offering a new DB2 Application Programming Certificate as part of our z Series education at an introductory price. The Certificate consists of three classes, all delivered on line (so there is no travel involved), for an introductory price of $2,000 (for all three classes). These classes are based on the DB2 materials developed by Dr. Gene Fuh at IBM and used at San Jose State College. We have enhanced the original materials with additional labs which the students complete on our z10 server. For additional information, please visit our web site or feel free to send any questions directly to me (angelo.corridori@marist.edu). Thanks!

Complimentary DB2 for z/OS Seminars in 2011 Jan, Feb , March limited places so register now

Don’t miss out on our upcoming seminars . There are limited places so register now to avoid disappointment

DB2 for z/OS Seminars

Agenda

REGISTER NOW

More detail
8:40am – Meeting the business analytics and data warehousing needs of your users

In this session, IBM will share insight on today’s business environment and its impact on an IT organization’s ability to deliver a competitive Business Analytics and Data Warehousing strategy. You will learn how DB2 for z/OS combined with other Business
Analytics offerings from IBM provide the industry’s only end to end solution on a single platform that is capable of scaling to meet the breath of business users needs for complete and accurate business information faster and better with less resource and expense. The
solution offers flexible deployment options including IBM Smart Analytics System 9600 and is designed to meet the business challenges of today and your evolving business needs going forward to help optimize business performance.

9:50am – DB2 for z/OS: Version 10 including migration strategy for DB2 9 or DB2 10

This session will recap the key features of DB2 9 for z/OS, followed by a look at DB2 10, the next release of DB2. If your organization needs to lower operating costs through CPU cycle reductions while still building a strong foundation for SOA and XML initiatives, you’ll learn how much DB2 10 will have to offer. Database administrators will find improved database performance, scalability and availability, while memory management is dramatically reduced, so growth is much simpler. You’ll also have more flexible security to help with regulatory compliance. A wide range of enhancements improve the functionality and performance of ERP applications and data warehousing. Application
developers will learn about the second release of pureXML, which improves the SQL and XML interface to access XML data stored in a native format. We’ll also discuss powerful new SQL enhancements, including improved SQL and data definition compatibility with other DB2 platforms, which makes porting much easier.

11:00am – Gain insight into DB2 9 and DB2 10 for z/OS performance updates and save costs

In this session, we will discuss the latest updates for system and application performance on IBM DB2 9 and DB2 10 for z/OS. Beginning with performance impact and tuning at the system and application level, we’ll have a special focus on topics requested by product representatives and field inquiries. This session will also over DB2 10 for z/OS and its improved performance and scalability – including general CPU usage reduction and scalability, buffer management, and insert and select functionality – in addition to the reduction of virtual storage constraints. Other topics include improvements to DDF, JDBC, SQLPL and line-of-business performance. You’ll also learn how DB2 9 and DB2 10 interact with IBM z10 and z11 processors.

1:00pm – What’s new for SQL optimization in DB2 9 and DB2 10 for z/OS

Reducing the total cost of ownership is everyone’s challenge, and it’s one of the key benefits of query optimization. Since its initial inception in DB2® for z/OS®, the cost-based Optimizer has continually evolved to deliver expert-based query and workload
analysis and many other performance-enhancing functions. Based on the latest use by customers, the Optimizer delivers even more in DB2 10. This session will show you how the Optimizer in DB2 10 for z/OS can help reduce your total cost of ownership. We’ll discuss incremental query optimization enhancements available with the upcoming release of DB2 10 that build on DB2 9 enhancements, such as global query optimization. This session will cover the insight discovered in early usage, provide the reason for each enhancement and highlight the most important enhancements. Topics will include enhanced plan management; “safe” query optimization; improvements to complex OR and IN list processing; and, RUNSTATS management and performance improvements.

2:10pm – Administering and Optimizing Your DB2 9 & 10 for z/OS Environment

The life of a database administrator (DBA) is not easy these days. Database performance issues, worries about data corruption and loss, expanding business requirements, and rising charge-back costs are just a few of the trends that are causing DBA staffs to be stretched to the breaking point. So when do you have time to learn about new features in DB2 10 for z/OS and exploit DB2 9 enhancements? Even if you have decided that there are new DB2 10 features such as temporal data and hash tables that you can’t wait to implement, what’s the best way to manage and monitor them? How do you take advantage of the new security roles and make them work for you? This session takes a deeper look at some of the features in DB2 10 for z/OS and how to effectively manage and monitor them.

3:20pm – How to streamline your DB2 for z/OS utility processing

Most DB2 applications are global non-stop, requiring almost 100% accessibility. Availability demands reduce the amount of time available to perform necessary routine tasks, such as utility maintenance on the underlying data and objects stored in DB2 for z/OS that support critical business applications. In addition, companies are looking for ways to streamline DB2 utility processing to maximize system and personnel resources. How valuable would it be to maximize your use of IBM DB2 Utilities Suite for z/OS for both DB2 9 and DB2 10? What if you could establish DB2 utility practices at a company level and know that they would be monitored and adhered to? Do you want to reduce your batch window during utility sort processing to improve availability and performance? How important would it be to run utilities only on objects when and if it’s necessary? The answer to these questions and more will be revealed in this session.