Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, USA - 24 May 2010 - Control and automation of SNA applications and networks on z/OS mainframes became easier and less costly with the May 2010 release of new VitalSigns software from Software Diversified Services.

VitalSigns for Network Automation and Control delivers all the commonly used functions of two legacy products: IBM's NetView™ for z/OS and CA's NetMaster™. For many z/OS installations, VitalSigns for NAC can replace the key features of NetView and NetMaster and significantly lower enterprise software expenses.

Once logged into VitalSigns for NAC with a common web browser, mainframe administrators can issue commands and call REXX scripts at every z/OS system, image, or LPAR where they have a VitalSigns Agent running. "That centralized control is a priceless improvement over NCCF," said Jim Lampi, vice president of SDS.

From a single VitalSigns window, administrator's can filter and consolidate system-wide logs into a single, searchable view. That can dramatically decrease the time it takes to diagnose problems, said Lampi.

As system and network log messages arrive, VitalSigns can respond immediately by invoking z/OS console commands and REXX scripts. This system and network automation means VNAC can provide the functions of an automatic, unattended operator. It can respond to prompts, issue commands to run in the background, restart network devices that have gone down, and deliver notices of specific system and network events.

VitalSigns for NAC links z/OS error messages and sense codes to full explanations. Click on a message and immediately see the most accurate, up-to-date definition straight from IBM's on-line documentation.

Because of its modern client-server architecture, VitalSigns processing can be offloaded from z/OS processors to zAAP, UNIX, Linux, or Windows platforms. That frees mainframe cycles for production applications. In addition, testing shows VitalSigns significantly outperforming legacy software.

"Legacy SNA products are complicated to maintain, expensive, and resource intensive," said Lampi. "Now there's an easier and more efficient way to manage SNA at a drastically reduced price, with SDS's VitalSigns for Network Automation and Control."

VitalSigns for NAC, version 1.1, is the newest member of the VitalSigns family of products from SDS. A new VitalSigns for IP (VIP) will follow later this year.

VIP 7.2 will provide, among other improvements, the mainframe industry's first IP packet "Multitrace." Users will be able to trace IP packets arriving at any TCP/IP stack in a z/OS sysplex. Results will display immediately, in real-time, at a single, central browser display.

With VitalSigns for NAC and VitalSigns for IP, SDS provides a full-spectrum tool set for monitoring, problem diagnosis, network automation, and performance management for both mainframe TCP/IP and SNA networks.

Ease-of-use and CPU efficiency make VitalSigns software the ideal replacement for NetView and NetMaster for SNA and IP. Said Lampi, "SDS's VitalSigns replacement program will save big money on legacy network management products."

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Spring Lake Park, MN, SDS provides a wide range of performance monitoring, report distribution, data compression, and client-server applications to more than 1,000 customers in the US and 37 other countries. With 20 products for the IBM VM, VSE, and z/OS mainframe systems, SDS is an Advanced member of IBM PartnerWorld®. SDS provides some of the highest quality software, documentation, and technical support in the industry, and has been assigned a #1 rating by IBEX.

For more information, a free white paper, or a live demonstration by webcast, see www.sdsusa.com/vnac, call 800.443.6183, or write to sales@sdsusa.com.