Michael Turner Ltd offer the services of Mike Turner to provide consultancy in all aspects of DB2 for z/OS usage including system and database administration, database design, performance tuning and data security.
Mike has more than 35 years experience of working with database management systems. He has studied DB2 and its System/R prototype since 1979, and regularly presents training courses on DB2. These include Application and System Performance Tuning, Application Data Recovery, and System Recovery and Restart. Mike is co-author of the IBM Redbooks 'DB2 for z/OS and OS/390 Version 7 Performance Topics' and 'DB2 9 for z/OS: New Tools for Query Optimization'.
Mike can set up new System and Database Administration functions, putting in place the standards and procedures necessary to make effective use of DB2 for z/OS. He can advise on the selection and training of staff for the DBA function.
An audit of the standards and procedures of an existing DB2 installation can be undertaken to identify areas where errors or omissions increase the risk of data loss or damage.
Mike has considerable practical experience of logical and physical database design techniques. He can work with development teams to ensure that applications are based on data structures which balance the need for flexibility (to adapt to changes in the business) with the need for good performance.
Where a database design already exists, Mike can undertake an audit of that design. The audit can cover both logical (business related) and physical (technical) design issues. Mike can also advise on the proper use of DB2 Referential Integrity.
It is estimated that 70% of all DB2 performance problems are due to poor application code. Mike can undertake performance monitoring and tuning of DB2 applications. Inefficient programs can be identified and tuned thus reducing on-line response times, batch run times, and the total CPU and I/O load on the system.
Mike can advise on the correct sizing of the DB2 buffer pools to remove bottlenecks and reduce disk I/O. Excessive I/O due to bad database design can be detected and corrected, as can problems with dataset placement or overall system contention.
He can also advise on the settings of DB2 for z/OS DSNZPARM parameters.
Mike has worked as part of a team planning and implementing DB2 for z/OS Data Sharing for a major British bank. He has also worked for IBM as lead DB2 performance specialist on a large DB2 Data Sharing performance benchmark with up to eight DB2 members in the Data Sharing Group. He is able to advise on the performance, recovery, and operational, aspects of Data Sharing.
Protecting data against unauthorised access or modification in today's computer systems requires the use of more than one security mechanism. Security exposures may exist in the gaps between the various mechanisms. Mike's experience of DB2 Security and Operating System security enables him to identify security exposures around DB2 databases and to recommend and implement improvements.