2025 Tuning Letters

Keeping a mainframe updated without SMP/E is like patching a spaceship mid-flight
Trust me, it’s easier now than it ever was
The building blocks of SMP/E: SYSMODs, PTFs and other mysterious creatures
The nitty-gritty: how SMP/E works
Global Zone
Target Zone
Distribution Zone
- 1. RECEIVE command – “ordering your parts”
- 2. APPLY command – “testing the fit”
- 3. ACCEPT command – “finalizing the upgrade”
What on Earth is FIXCAT?
When keeping it real goes wrong: hidden “gotchas” and horror stories
IBM is making this easier
Why SMP/E matters more than ever
SMP/E Survival Guide: Cracking the Code of z/OS Jargon

Let’s start at the beginning: what is a system exit?
- Some areas where exits can be used
- How system exits work
Example:
- Example exit flowchart
- JES2 exits
- SMF exits
- RACF exits
In conclusion: a word to the wise

Mighty Mainframe Conference
GSE BeLux Conference 2025
IDUG NA 2025 | Atlanta
GSE Nordic Region Conference 2025
VM Workshop 2025
Broadcom Virtual Mainframe Technical Exchange 2025 – Global Virtual Event
SHARE Cleveland 2025
IBM TechXchange Conference 2025
Broadcom Mainframe Technical Exchanges – IDMS & Datacom User Group Workshops
Broadcom Mainframe Technical Exchanges – North American In-Person Mainframe Technical Exchange
GS UK In-Person Conference 2025
Open Mainframe Project – Mainframe Open Education (MOE) Student User Group

Cheryl Watson’s Tuning Letter