Syncsort Certifies MFX Software With EMC VTL for Mainframe

Syncsort, Inc. has worked with EMC Corp. to self-certify Syncsort MFX high-performance mainframe sorting software with the EMC Disk Library for mainframe, a VTL solution for mainframe environments.

The self-certification was completed through the EMC ISV Backup Recovery Systems Partner Program. The combination of these high-performance solutions reduces mainframe CPU and elapsed time for customers, translating directly into improved system throughput and lower consumption of expensive resources.

Mainframe processing remains vital in today’s business environment with mission-critical mainframe applications providing support for the core business at many leading enterprises. To contain or lower the associated costs of mainframe processing, many organizations are seeking new ways to optimize MIPS consumption, reduce storage footprint, and implement less-costly new technologies. This often includes the elimination of tape to deliver improved performance, simplify DR, and enable higher availability, among other reasons. However, as these organizations make investments to improve their infrastructure, attaining maximum benefits can be challenging.

MFX includes PARASORT and MAXSORT technology
to help optimize overall system efficiency:

• PARASORT uses parallel techniques to reduce the elapsed time of sorts with large multi-volume and/or concatenated tape data set input. This technology allows MFX to read data from as many as four tape drives simultaneously.
• MAXSORT makes it possible to sort large data sets with minimal DASD space. This capability segments the input data, sorts the segments, stores them on tape, and merges them all in a single job step.

With the high number of drives available in EMC Disk Library for mainframe, users are able to allocate more drives to be used in the sorting process which produces both increased performance and savings. MFX optimizes the efficiency of the sorting process to further enhance sort performance. In fact, a recent performance test conducted by Syncsort using MFX and EMC Disk Library for mainframe revealed a 56% savings in clock time and a 14% savings in CPU time.

"As mainframe environments continue to grow and support mission-critical business processes, the need to protect mainframe-based data with new cost effective solutions that can scale to meet evolving requirements is crucial," said Al Brandt , VP, DLm Engineering, EMC. "The EMC Disk Library for mainframe product family underscores EMC’s commitment to the mainframe community, as does our work with Syncsort to self-certify their MFX software through the EMC ISV Backup Recovery Systems Partner Program. Now, Disk Library for mainframe users can confidently deploy Syncsort MFX high-performance mainframe sorting software with EMC Disk Library for mainframe products to derive additional levels of mainframe CPU efficiency and better protect their mainframe environment."

"For more than 40 years, Syncsort has maintained a steadfast commitment to investing in our market-leading mainframe sort utility franchise to deliver even greater value and cost savings to our customer base," said Harvey Tessler , co-founder and head of Mainframe Engineering, Syncsort. "Our work with EMC to complete self-certification of Syncsort MFX with EMC Disk Library for mainframe gives customers the highest performing tools in the industry to help maximize both their mainframe environment and business processes."