Grow Your Own Mainframe Personnel

Over the past year, we have had a number of inquiries regarding whether SYS-ED still offered mainframe courses for IT professionals.	Portfolio of Mainframe Clients   CICS Clients COBOL Clients IMS Clients Mainframe Utilities and Dev Tools Clients VSAM Clients WebSphere MQ Clients
The typical comments were:
1. That it is extremely difficult to find mainframe training which develops the specialized skills needed for mainframe systems and operational maintenance. 2. That there is a scarcity of fast-track programming language and system software courses, 5 or fewer days in duration, geared to Fortune 1000 corporations, government municipalities, healthcare providers, and their employees. 3. That a high percentage of mainframe courses are cancelled. 4. That travel costs and living expenses in a majority of situations are a significant constraint when it comes to attending a mainframe course. 5. That it is important to have a resource for asking mainframe questions once the mainframe training is complete.
In response to these questions:
Yes, SYS-ED offers multiple levels of mainframe training. Yes, since 1980, SYS-ED has taught mainframe courses and training programs. Yes, we have the flexibility and resources to conduct personalized training for small groups. We very rarely cancel mainframe courses. Mainframe courses are available in multiple formats: classroom, distance-learning and blended web-based delivery. Upon completion of a SYS-ED course, our staff is available to answer mainframe questions.

Distance-learning

Definition of Service SYS-ED's distance-learning training service is 65% lecture with the remaining 35% of the service provided in the form of scheduled interactive question and answer sessions with a subject matter expert, hands-on exercises, optional validation assessment, and submission of questions through our technology exchange websites. Enrollment is contingent upon the prospective trainee's having been qualified by our Director of Education to have the appropriate background for the training and review of a checklist of items required for transmission of the service to the client location: bandwidth, firewall, base operating system, software requirements, web browser, and set-up of hands-on machine exercises. Alternative web-based and e-learning training is available: self-paced, presentation through the client's authoring system, or podcast. These tailored services are offered selectively. Delivery Medium Web-based Training Services Mainframe Courseware as Learning Center

Mainframe Training Programs

SYS-ED offers tailored "entry-level" and "fast-track" mainframe training programs.

	Standard entry-level training programs consist of four components: z/OS operating system, programming skills, programming language, and system software. These programs have been developed and refined over a quarter century of consultancy and teaching and draw upon the SYS-ED courseware library.
	Tailored fast-track programs are comprised of course modules selected by the client organization: topics, examples, workshops, validation assessments, and duration. Many clients also elect to incorporate an educational consulting component which reflects their standards and implementation strategy for project development.

Premium Training Service

Mainframe Training Training Programs Entry Level Mainframe Training Program Assembler Language Training Program COBOL Language Training Program PL/1 Language Training Program z/OS Operations and System Programming Training Program CICS Transaction Server Training Program

Web-based Training

Evolving IT: Interrelated Technologies

There are new web server and web enabling technologies which in many situations will require integration with the existing mainframe systems and enterprise databases. Virtualization plays an important role in mainframe hardware. By implementing virtualization software, it is possible to virtualize the processor, memory, storage I/O and networking resources into aggregated pools - applications can utilize resource pools without regard to specific hardware. This improves utilization of the mainframe and reduces the need for upgrades. For example, the z/VM operating system can support hundreds of Linux images simultaneously. Web-enabled applications can be accessed by the company web site or a native application. An advantage associated with a web-enabled application is the utilization of other web services such as security and personalization. Web service information can also help administrators to troubleshoot mainframe applications.

Along these lines a number of SYS-ED clients are upgrading their mainframe hardware in order to improve processing for utilization with Linux and UNIX.
 

UNIX- and Linux- variant Training Programs

Web Servers

Java Language Training Program

SYS-ED trained first generation mainframe DP personnel in a variety of industries during the 1980’s. And look forward to the opportunity and challenge of training their successors in the 21st century. Albeit, with a more comprehensive set of delivery options for conducting the training and a hybrid mix and match set of software choices.

Mainframe Training in New York

Footnote 1:

SYS-ED’s core mainframe curriculum have been submitted to the New York State Department of Education - Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision for technical review and licensing.