Recent customer comment (19 Apr 2005)
We had to drop Omegamon because it did not stay current with support for
new CP releases. The last several updates to VM Omegamon only allowed it
to keep running on the latest CP. They were not exploiting/using the
latest monitor information nor providing the ability to display that latest
CP internal information. The last 2 VM releases before we dropped
Omegamon, they were not even ready with compatibility support during the
ESP. The latest information I heard is that Omegamon is still not doing
good job of using the latest CP monitor and internal enhancements.
Omegamon also had a huge resource requirement for the little bit of
information we were using. We saw 5-10% of the total utilization of our
LPARs just going to its collecting of data. The Velocity tools requires
significantly less total resource consumption and provides equivalent
reporting of both real time data and historic data.
I thought these comments off the VMESA Listserv
would be enlightening for those of you still not using ESAMON....
The bolding of certain comments is added for clarification.
And please note, ESAMON supports SFS, new releases of VM well
before general availability, and when you call Velocity
Software, you talk to experts - and the developers of Velocity
Software products. Also note that most of these comments are NOT
all from Velocity Software customers, at least when these
comments were posted.
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 08:16:31 -0600
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: Ted.Manos@mutualofomaha.com
Subject: Re: Comparison of CA-Explore v.s. ESAMON/MAP/TCP
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
We replaced Omegamon here early last year with Velocity's
ESAMON/ESAMAP, which are far superior products (IMHO). Candle
hasn't updated Omegamon/VM for many years now, other than to
allow it to recognize the new release numbers for VM. Zero new
functionality. It still doesn't even realize that SFS even
exists, let alone monitor and report on it. We also had IBM's
VMPRF which ESAMAP displaced (VMPRF does a pretty good job, but
ESAMAP is better, IMHO).
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 12:28:29 -0400
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: "Elmerick, Ralph H." "elmerick@timken.com"
Subject: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
We are currently renegotiating a contract for Omegamon for VM.
Has any one heard of what Candle's intentions are for VM.?
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 19:19:48 -0500
From: Robert "robertheerdink@home.com"
Subject: Re: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: Omegamon for VM in the future
Ralph
Omegamon is pretty but their VM support leaves a lot to be
desired. I had to explain how VM works the last time I
spoke to them. Their suggestion for my requirement was for me to
set up my own SVM to do what OMVM could not.
My assessment?
Run, don't walk to a company named
Velocity Software and check out ESAMON. If you are
serious about VM performance, get ESAMAP too. I have never found
a product with better support (Sequential Software's XCOPY may
be as good) and the last 2 times I suggested an improvement, I
was testing it the SAME DAY. The head of the company, Barton
Robinson, knows his stuff and is always available to help.
Barton is also wise enough to surround himself with other smart
people who have helped me understand VM performance over the
years. Velocity is one of those companies that has achieved
legendary customer support.
Bob Heerdink
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 11:37:42 -0500
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: Ted.Manos@mutualofomaha.com
Subject: Re: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
I haven't heard anything directly from them regarding the real
future of Omegamon/VM, either. We use Omegamon/VM here primarily
because we have a Omegamon/MVS, CICS, IMS, etc. However, I'm
seriously looking at tossing it out the window, as it is about
as
useful as a boat anchor in the middle of the
Sahara, since there is so much information that it does NOT
cover/provide. I mean, geesh... SFS came out with... was it
VM/SP R5 or R6? And Omegamon *still* doesn't have ANY form of
support for SFS???
Ted
(402) 351-4474
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 13:02:36 -0400
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: David Boyes "dboyes@dimension.net"
Subject: Re: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
While the MVS support for Omegamon is pretty good, I've always
had a lot of trouble finding people at Candle that want to talk
about VM, let alone enhance the product or fix some of the more
annoying problems with Omegamon/VM. The official position on
Candle's WWW site seems to be to continue to keep it running,
but it certainly doesn't seem to be strategic to them.
I'd seriously consider talking to Velocity Software and check
out ESAMON. If you're VM intensive, it doesn't get much
better, and they're really committed to VM and VM performance.
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 13:17:35 EDT
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: ajclark@sears.ca
Subject: Re: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
I've heard rumours both ways. So I don't know the real fate of
it. I have gotten a few nagging problems from Candle fixed
lately and talking to the rep. he was moved off VM quite a while
ago and they ended up moving him back as they needed more
support people there as they were falling behind.
With VM/ESA 2.3 Candle was very slow in getting a G.A. supported
version out claiming they had no site to beta test on... did
they ask??
ESA 2.4 is available but the Candle s/w is
still in beta I believe but I don't think it will be as
far behind as the last release.
In any event, we're going to look at the Velocity s/w and see if
it can't do a better job for us and if many other sites do that
it will be unfortunate for those left with Candle as it won't
have the revenue stream to support itself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* From: Adrian Clark IBMMAIL(CASRSAJC)
* Sears Canada Inc. Shop Online: http://www.sears.ca
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 13:38:59 EDT
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: Mike Walter "USHEWMCU@IBMMAIL.COM"
Subject: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Someone from Candle can easily respond to this post regarding
Omegamon/VM. But it's likely that no one will - which shows
their level of concern for their VM products - not following the
major listserv for VM.
I've reluctantly used Omegamon/VM since converting to VM/XA
(when Explore/VM failed and that vendor couldn't even figure out
how to diagnose it - instead it produced spool full conditions
by printing dump rather than taking VMDUMPs).
Omegamon/MVS has had a radically better screen interface for
years. However, Omegamon/VM will never get that screen interface
--
it's a functionally stable product. They
don't appear to be any new sales, and little prospect for any
when there's no new support.
But here's the real kicker...
IBM reported at SHARE that they are working on a 64-bit VM (CP's
support for guests, not native CMS application support). That
will likely (although not formally announced as such) be in the
next release (VM/ESA 2.5.0?) some time next summer (based upon
previous release dates). This would entail a major re-write of
Omegamon/VM. I harbor serious doubts about Candle's level of
support for Omegamon/VM - I don't think that they'd upgrade,
figuring that the effort would not be repaid by the meager
income from annual maintenance costs.
Your mileage may vary.
Mike Walter
Hewitt Associates LLC
=================
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 13:09:48 -0500
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: Dave Jones "dave@sys1.vsoft-software.com"
Subject: Re: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
I belive that there is really only one true alternative here and
that's Velocity's ESAMAP and ESAMON products. Barton has
demonstrated many times that he is committed to the VM community
and I am sure that if/when VM supports 64 processor boxes, he
will report on the performance data.
Dave Jones
V/Soft Software ----- VM Resources, LTD
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 578-7544 (Office) (281) 578-1899 (Fax)
dave@sys1.vsoft-software.com It's *how* much more expensive than
VM??
=================
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 08:38:08 EDT
Sender: VM/ESA Discussions
From: Rick Barlow "rick_barlow@nationwide.e-mail.com"
Subject: Omegamon for VM in the future
To: VMESA-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
I find Candle's comment about testing Omegamon support for new
VM releases outrageous. I was involved in the ESP for
VM/ESA 2.3.0 and VM/ESA 2.4.0. In both cases, I pushed Candle
for current support. They were not responsive. In the case of
2.4.0, DO NOT run the Candle user diagnose x'100' from V570.
There is an exposure to ABEND RPB001. It also appears to be
related to a problem with SHARE LIMITHARD. (We are still working
to verify this.) Candle has not included any enhancements for
the last 2 release of VM/ESA to support any new VM features.
They are simply providing compatibility updates.
I will be migrating away from Omegamon soon.
* Rick Barlow | rick_barlow@nationwide.e-mail.com
* Software Specialist | IBMMail: USNATJKH
* Nationwide Insurance Co. |
* 1 Nationwide Plaza (FS-08-02)| Phone: (614) 249-5213
* Columbus OH 43215-2220 USA | Fax: (614) 249-6616
If you can't measure it, I'm just NOT
interested|(TM)
