Mainframe modernization is all about improving efficiency, reducing costs, and integrating legacy systems with current technologies by modernizing applications, data stores and infrastructure. Key objectives in this process typically include improving performance of legacy applications and reducing operational overhead, particularly MIPS consumption, which can lead to reduced software and hardware costs. This is where QuickSelect comes in.
What is QuickSelect?
QuickSelect is an external caching solution for Db2 z/OS that enhances performance by storing responses to frequently executed static SQL queries in high-speed memory outside Db2. By serving result sets directly from cache, it improves responsiveness to SQL queries while reducing redundant Db2 executions and I/O operations, significantly lowering MIPS consumption. Organizations have reported over 90% reductions in CPU usage for cache-eligible portions of Db2 workloads resulting in substantial cost savings.
Plug-and-Play Deployment with Immediate Benefits
One of QuickSelect’s standout features is its ‘touchless’ implementation. It requires no changes to application code, Db2 databases, JCL, or middleware, making it a low-risk solution that delivers immediate performance gains and savings. This zero-risk deployment aligns well with phased modernization strategies, allowing organizations to enhance efficiency without disrupting critical business operations.
Enhancing Online Application Performance
As enterprises strive to improve online application performance, QuickSelect plays a role in optimizing data retrieval speed. Online transactions often rely heavily on requests for data from low volatility lookup, code, reference tables and the like. Where these queries are implemented as static SQL statements, they are eligible for QuickSelect caching. By caching these frequently requested result sets for high-frequency queries, QuickSelect reduces latency and improves overall online performance while reducing CPU consumption and freeing Db2 resource.
Accelerating Batch Processing
Batch processing remains a core function of many modernized mainframe environments, handling tasks such as reconciling data between applications and generating reports. QuickSelect accelerates these batch jobs by caching frequently requested result sets, reducing execution time, and ensuring that critical information reaches downstream applications and business users faster.
Ensuring Data Accuracy through Intelligent Cache Invalidation
Maintaining data integrity across cached and source Db2 environments is of course essential. QuickSelect ensures integrity through automatic cache invalidation, guaranteeing that cached results are updated after underlying Db2 tables are modified. This feature prevents inconsistencies and ensures that applications receive accurate, real-time data from cache.
Identifying Caching Opportunities with QuickSelect Survey
Before deploying QuickSelect, organizations can assess the applicability of QuickSelect caching to their Db2 workloads using QuickSelect Survey, a built-in analytics function that identifies SQL statements that will benefit from result set caching along with projected cache hit totals over target time periods. Survey provides the baseline data needed to project potential performance improvements and MIPS savings, and to quantify benefits before full implementation.
Where QuickSelect Delivers the Most Value
QuickSelect is particularly effective when applied to:
- Online applications, batch jobs, and report generation involving repetitive static SQL queries.
- High-frequency queries against low-volatility data, such as product catalogs and pricing structures.
- API and middleware environments that repeatedly execute static SQL queries on the backend.
A No-Risk Solution for Mainframe Modernization
By strategically deploying QuickSelect, enterprises can achieve immediate MIPS reductions, performance improvements, and more efficient use of Db2 resources. With its non-intrusive implementation, QuickSelect supports modernization efforts without requiring disruptive code and database changes.
In summary, QuickSelect for Db2 is a powerful tool for enterprises looking to optimize the performance of mainframe Db2 applications and reduce mainframe environment costs. QuickSelect complements modernization efforts by improving query performance, reducing MIPS consumption, and facilitating high-performance architecture integrations.
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