Serena ChangeMan SSM - System Software Manager
For Intelligent Change Detection and Resolution
As data center complexity increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage change.
Serena ChangeMan SSM, System Software Manager, addresses this issue with an automated and
centralized approach to software change management. Detect+Resolve Mainframe Bullet Points Serena 
ChangeMan SSM detects and tracks changes within groups of application or system data sets, synchronizes
local or remote operating environments, and restores environments to its clean and working state.
Change Detection
Serena ChangeMan SSM has the ability to detect changes to data sets, PDS members or full DASD volumes using a unique fingerprinting technology. In the same way a human fingerprint uniquely identifies a person, this token provides absolute identification of a file. To determine if changes have been made, Serena ChangeMan SSM compares fingerprints rather than performing byte-for-byte comparisons or relying on system indicators of change. A file can be copied to another volume, distributed to a remote site, re-blocked or downloaded to a personal computer, but unless file content is altered, the fingerprint remains the same. This unique approach enables Serena ChangeMan SSM to rapidly detect changes even in very large environments.
Clean Management
Serena ChangeMan SSM can be used to automate clean management processes. Through regular fingerprinting of selected data sets or volumes, Serena ChangeMan SSM can detect any change to a system that must maintain its clean status. Once an unauthorized change has been detected, Serena ChangeMan SSM can be used to restore the system to its original clean state. In addition, Serena ChangeMan SSM can provide an audit trail that management can use to demonstrate due diligence procedures for protecting clean code.
Multiple Environment Synchronization
Serena ChangeMan SSM can simplify the synchronization of multiple environments by automatically extracting only the changed data sets or PDS members. The changes are exported to a single data set called a change basket, which can be transmitted over a network or copied to transportable media for delivery to the TARGET environment. A simulation facility is available to ensure that only desired changes are applied to the TARGET environment. After a simulation run, Serena ChangeMan SSM can automatically import the entire change basket or selected changes. Optionally, a reverse change basket can be created to restore files to a previous version.
Powerful Auditing Facility
Serena ChangeMan SSM has a powerful auditing capability. The Serena ChangeMan SSM Real-Time function tracks changes within user-defined systems and application as they occur. It tracks changes by JOBNAME, USERID and PROGRAM and provides a report that streamlines the auditing process. It can be set up to send a write-to-operator (WTO) message, which can be programmed into logging, paging or other automated notification systems to instantly notify the appropriate person when a change is detected.
Improve Contingency Site Readings
Serena ChangeMan SSM reduces the time and resources needed to maintain an up-to-date disaster recovery site by creating change baskets containing only the data that has changed. This function dramatically reduces the amount of data transferred to the disaster recovery site and provides a reduction in both human and computer resources needed to maintain the site.
Masking Facility
Utilizing a comprehensive masking facility, Serena ChangeMan SSM eliminates false out-of-sync conditions. When creating a fingerprint representation of a software environment, the masking function can be used to exclude selected user-specified areas or search for text strings within source, JCL, load modules, IMS-generated control blocks or other text files.
Content Comparison Using Comparex
SerenaT Comparex® provides integrated content comparison to complement the powerful change detection capabilities of Serena ChangeMan SSM.
When Serena ChangeMan SSM identifies out-of-sync source or load modules, Serena Comparex can be invoked online to identify the actual content differences. Serena Comparex performs a byte-level comparison of source, text or load modules to determine actual content differences between multiple versions of a file.
ISPF users may view the change record and manage the versions of each object by selectively restoring a prior copy of an object and optionally invoking a comparison utility, such as Serena Comparex, to identify specific changes to individual objects.