Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
it_user779244 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mainframe Specialist at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Real User
The queues on the system are fast, and it is very intuitive to locate something
Pros and Cons
  • "It is easy to see if anything is wrong. The queues on the system are fast, and it is very intuitive to locate something."
  • "We have not had any major issues in approximately 15 years."
  • "The scalability is absolutely fine."
  • "​We are using Datacom as the database system, so maybe a little bit more integration with that.​"

What is our primary use case?

We use it to surveillance our mainframe system to see if it is behaving fine or if anything is wrong, and it is perfect. It is a very good product.

How has it helped my organization?

We have not had any major issues in approximately 15 years.

What is most valuable?

It is easy to see if anything is wrong. The queues on the system are fast, and it is very intuitive to locate something.

What needs improvement?

We are using Datacom as the database system, so maybe a little bit more integration with that.

It can also be a little bit more better, but it is very good. I do not any products that can do all the things that it is doing.

Buyer's Guide
SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable. We have small bugs now and then, but normally we just open a case at CA and it gets solved very quickly.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is absolutely fine.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is very good. I would rate them an eight out of 10. Sometimes you think they should be a little bit faster to solve the issues, but it is also difficult sometimes to duplicate what the issue is.

How was the initial setup?

I was not involved in the initial setup.

I was only involved with the testing of the upgrade. We have some assistant programmers to do the upgrade.

What other advice do I have?

I think it is quite good. Absolutely, get it. It is a great tool.

Most important criteria when selecting a vendor: I'm not sure it is about the vendor. Maybe it is about the product. Of course, you have to coach your support, but it is mostly how the product is. 

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
it_user778527 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Systems Programmer at FDC
Real User
As a system programmer it gives total visibility, and the ability to deep-dive, into the system

What is our primary use case?

We use it to control everything that's going on in the system. It's a very good tool to use for a system programmer and for a normal programmer.

What is most valuable?

As a system programmer I can see deep into the system, where nearly everything is at, so it's a very good tool for us to use.

How has it helped my organization?

It's quicker to get information, it saves time.

What needs improvement?

From the demo I attended it looks like all the features I would want are coming.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Very good, no downtime.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's very good.

How are customer service and technical support?

I haven't used technical support for SYSVIEW but I have used CA support and it's very good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We were using SDS from IBM. We switched because SYSVIEW is a better product.

How was the initial setup?

Straightforward.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

You have this and you have SDS from IBM. You can compare the two products. We have an agreement with CA so we took SYSVIEW and it's good.

What other advice do I have?

When selecting a vendor it comes down to the price.

I would recommend SYSVIEW. Use it.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PeerSpot user
z/OS system Programmer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Consultant
Interoperability with CA-OPS allows for more automation.

What is most valuable?

  • Easy Install
  • One consistent interface for all components
  • Many interfaces (VTAM, TSO, ISPF, Batch)
  • Relatively easy to learn
  • Interoperation with CA-OPS

How has it helped my organization?

  • It's easier to diagnose problems, and find solutions
  • Interoperability with CA-OPS allows for more automation.

What needs improvement?

Better historical reporting.

For how long have I used the solution?

At least 10 years.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

No.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

Excellent. No problem with asking How-To questions.

Technical Support:

Excellent.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

No.

How was the initial setup?

Relatively simple.

What about the implementation team?

In House.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We used TMON before.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user493503 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Analyst Mainframe at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
Actions can be triggered by thresholds. Many users have ceased manually performing functions.

What is most valuable?

I really appreciate that actions can be triggered by thresholds. For example, when a threshold is reached, a job can be launched without having to use triglevel, capevent or another option.

Many SYSVIEW users have ceased manually performing functions.

Many sectors of IT appreciate and use the MVS display phase.

How has it helped my organization?

We can easily monitor any batch and CICS event, and this assures us in times of very high workload.

What needs improvement?

I think they could improve the frontend action stage and alert thresholds, for a better and more-usable job action or REXX launch.

Better management of the relationship between a threshold and the start of the response action, be it a job or a REXX, similar to the operation of OPS/MVS (in centers where there is not a SYSVIEW/OPS/MVS pair).

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using it for 6-7 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have not encountered any stability issues.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have not encountered any scalability issues.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support has very good, kind people; they are available and prepared.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I did not previously use a different solution.

How was the initial setup?

The first time I saw SYSVIEW, I found it straightforward and easy to use. I then encountered some difficulties when I started using it full-time. But now it's alright. In any case, when I speak to the service center, I still discover new product features.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing this product, I did not evaluate other options.

What other advice do I have?

I can easily and highly recommend it.

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
it_user481083 - PeerSpot reviewer
Oracle DBA at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Vendor
The integration of CA OPS/MVS to alter and automate the action by threshold setup is the most valuable feature of this product.

What is most valuable?

Our data center uses this as the main product for mainframe system monitoring for hundreds of clients. The integration of CA OPS/MVS to alter and automate the action by threshold setup is the most valuable feature of this product.

How has it helped my organization?

We are targeting the standardization of our mainframe system monitoring product for clients and CA SYSVIEW is our first option, and packaged into our total solution for our mainframe service. Our client can use this product without additional cost while other products additional costs.

What needs improvement?

I would expect this product to be integrated with mainframe Linux system monitoring which is more popular in our mainframe solutions.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've supported this product for about six years. My company has been using this product for 20 years. We're planning to upgrade to R14.1 in next half a year to support our z/OS 2.2 upgrade.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In general this product is stable and no major issues are reported.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's been able to scale for our needs.

How are customer service and technical support?

9/10 - I can always get quick responses for our request and for new release issues we get dedicated experts and coordinators to support our upgrades.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Our client used IBM OMEGAMON and other monitoring products previously. We recommended that they convert to CA SYSVIEW which is our global standard, and has a lower cost and full functionality of our standard mainframe solutions.

How was the initial setup?

It is straightforward and we can bring up this product with most default values. We have packaged this product to our SOS repository and this makes it easy to implement to all regions automatically.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I am only technical support and have no idea on pricing and licensing. We have a dedicated team for this.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We are evaluating the IBM OMEGAMON product which many of our clients are using. We recommended that they consider CA SYSVIEW first with no additional cost. For IBM OMEGAMON, there is an additional cost involved.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this product to others due to its easy implementation, comprehensive functionality and good organization of documents.

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor. The reviewer's company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: We're partners.
PeerSpot user
it_user611979 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Consultant
Initial setup was fairly straightforward and technical support is professional.

What is most valuable?

Only the base feature is used.

How has it helped my organization?

It provides much more info regarding the mainframe and interfaces, with ease of use (menus); has many more options available compared to the previous product.

What needs improvement?

Perhaps the CPU usage: When SYSVIEW is accessed via VTAM, the CPU usage is higher than compared to when its accessed via TSO using exactly the same commands, e.g., Display active tasks.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used it for 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

As mentioned, we did have issues with high CPU usage when accessed directly via VTAM but overcame it when accessed via TSO.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have not encountered any scalability issues.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is professional and very efficient.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used a different solution. The main reason we switched was the cost saving but it also provided much more functionality.

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup was fairly straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I’m not sure about pricing but we have numerous CA products with an overall pricing and license.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated COMPLETE and OMEGAMON.

What other advice do I have?

Do not hesitate; it’s invaluable.

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
it_user349998 - PeerSpot reviewer
MTS II - sysengng at a tech consulting company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
It allows us to compare historical reports, a feature that's hard to find in other products. We're looking forward to using more than one job name to grab information at once in v12.2.

Valuable Features

Being able to see and to have oversight of everything that happens on the job is critical, and this is what we get with SYSVIEW.

Improvements to My Organization

It's really great to be able to compare historical reports, as it really helps our organizational functions. This feature is hard to find in other products.

Room for Improvement

I think we are going to 12.2 really soon. I'm looking forward to being able to use more than one job name to grab more information at one time.

Deployment Issues

We've had no issues with deployment.

Stability Issues

It’s very stable and very fast. So far we are very happy about this and we hope it continues.

Scalability Issues

It is very scalable and has adapted really well over our years of usage.

Customer Service and Technical Support

We seem to get our answers in a timely manner so technical support seems to be working well. We have no complaints.

Initial Setup

The initial setup is pretty straightforward. We use the CSM to implement it time and time again, and overall it’s just extremely quick and very user-friendly.

Other Advice

It’s definitely better than SDFF and JCL as they are going nowhere. I haven’t used any other products, but if you want to keep looking back and to see historical data and find out about yourself, then this is the product for you.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user581058 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Programmer at a tech services company
Consultant
Provides information about job degradation and analysis.

What is most valuable?

  • Job degradation and analysis

How has it helped my organization?

It gives an indication of potential performance bottlenecks.

What needs improvement?

The screen layout could be updated and be more modern looking.

The product has a 1980’s interface and it seems no investment whatsoever has been made in this respect.

It’s a green texted screen, the navigation is poor because you can’t use the cursor for selection.

Exiting the product does not allow for the standard ‘=x’ instruction. You have to Pf3 all the way out.

Great product...terrible looking interface

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used it for 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sometimes in split screen, it can crash.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have not encountered any scalability problems.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is fairly good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have MainView but SYSVIEW is better for z/OS internals.

How was the initial setup?

It was simple to install.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing this product, we did not evaluate other options.

What other advice do I have?

Do it.

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: November 2024
Product Categories
Mainframe Management
Buyer's Guide
Download our free SYSVIEW Performance Intelligence Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.