Computer Operations Management

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 225 pages
• Published by: Wiley December 1989
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0471283878
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471283874
• Book Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

From the Inside Flap
Computer Operations Management Ruediger Vossen Thomas E. Curtin If youd like to spend less time "putting out fires" and more time planning and managing your computer rooms processing… If youve got a big maintenance backlog that just will not go away… If youre frequently asked to meet impossible schedules… This book was written for you. Developed by two IBM systems specialists with more than forty years combined experience in I/S operations, Computer Operations Management offers specific, real-world strategies for taking control of your computer operations and running them at peak efficiency. Computer Operations Management shows you how to turn your computer room into a dependable "information factory" that meets user requirements and priorities. And it shows you how to maintain a consistently high level of performance while keeping your users from making unreasonable demands. The key is a three-step approach to managing computer operations: First, youll learn how to stabilize the production environment. Rudy Vossen and Tom Curtin offer proven tactics for making sure the same work is done the same way every time and minimizing the disruption and drain on resources caused by production problems. From preventive maintenance to dealing with component failure, backup and recovery to optimizing workflow, these are techniques that get results. Next, youll learn how to take control of the production environment to maximize the information service it provides. Production control means doing only authorized work and doing it at the right time, using available resources efficiently, and planning for the future by adapting capacity to meet changing needs. Vossen and Curtin offer practical strategies for production scheduling, disk and tape management, capacity planning and performance evaluation-without the esoteric mathematical theory usually associated with optimization. Youll also find specific guidelines for establishing effective management reporting and charge-back systems and user contracts. The third and final step on the way to efficient operations is managing your users expectations. Here, youll discover how to educate your clients-both users and auditors-on what computer operations can and cannot realistically be expected to do. The best-written programs are only as good as your computer rooms ability to run them. Computer Operations Management gives you the management and technical tools to process all your DP work correctly, completely, and on schedule.

About The Author
About the authors RUEDIGER VOSSEN is an Advisory Systems Engineer with the IBM Corporation, where he has worked since 1967. He has also held positions in computer operations, systems and applications programming, systems engineering, and teaching. THOMAS E. CURTIN has held a variety of positions with the IBM Corporation since 1968, chiefly in I/S. He spent ten years in the Information Systems organization of the company's General Technology Division, working on projects supporting advanced manufacturing processes. Mr. Curtin has developed and taught courses on software application development at the IBM Information Systems Management Institute in New York City and currently teaches senior executive programs at the IBM Advanced Business Institute. He holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Reader Reviews
Although this book is showing its age it remains one of the very few available books on data center operations. The foundation is three timeless concepts: (1) data is a resource, (2) data processing (or in more contemporary terms, systems management) is a service function, and (3) data processing is a production business. Despite the slant towards "Big Blue" platforms and operating systems and the non-automated processes provided in this book, there are still valuable practices that can be gleaned, given a modern facelift and incorporated into client/server and e-commerce operations. For example, Section Two contains a wealth of information on achieving stable production processes that are as applicable in a modern data center as they were when this book was written. The best piece in this section is on component failure analysis, which is one of the most cogent approaches to building a high-availability foundation that I've come across. I also like the emphasis on problem and change management. Although the processes are manual, they are well thought out and are a good model for a most up-to-date and automated solution. The section on production controls is on the mark from the standpoint of process, but out of date with respect to examples. However, you can glean a lot of information and ideas from the basics and build upon them using today's technology. The fundamentals and concepts are sound. Overall, this book is something of a paradox - on the one hand it is nearly quaint, and on the other it contains practices that I fear are being quickly lost, yet still sorely needed in order to effectively manage operations in a large enterprise. I bought my copy when it first came out in 1989 and still refer to it from time to time. Considering how many obsolete books that I've donated to local libraries while steadfastly refusing to give this one up. I'm strongly recommending it despite its age, but am giving it 3 stars because of its age.