Inventory Modernization Guide
Inventory is a infrastructure and computing assets product by ADPAC Corporation. Explore technical details, modernization strategies, and migration paths below.
Product Overview
Inventory is a tool designed to analyze mainframe applications and identify all executable programs and their dependencies.
Once configured, Inventory scans these sources and generates reports that show the relationships between different parts of your application.
Modernization Strategies
Rehost
- Timeline:
- 6-12 months
Lift-and-shift to cloud infrastructure with minimal code changes. Fast migration with lower risk.
Refactor (Recommended)
- Timeline:
- 18-24 months
Optimize application architecture for cloud while preserving business logic. Best ROI long-term.
Replatform
- Timeline:
- 3-5 years
Complete rewrite to cloud-native architecture with microservices and modern tech stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What does Inventory do?
Inventory is a tool that analyzes mainframe applications to identify all executable programs and their dependencies. It scans JCL, PROCs, load libraries, and source code to create a comprehensive report of an application's components.
Is this a system, application, or tool?
Inventory is a tool designed for application discovery and dependency mapping. It helps organizations understand the structure and components of their mainframe applications.
What types of organizations use this?
Organizations that rely on mainframe applications, particularly those undergoing modernization or maintenance, benefit from Inventory. These include financial institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies.
When should we consider Inventory?
A company should consider using Inventory when they need to understand the structure and dependencies of their mainframe applications. This is especially useful during application modernization, migration, or troubleshooting.
What are the alternatives to Inventory?
Alternatives to Inventory include manual analysis, custom scripting, or other application discovery tools. However, Inventory provides automated scanning and reporting capabilities tailored for mainframe environments.
Technical
What infrastructure is required?
Inventory runs on the z/OS platform. It analyzes JCL, PROCs, load libraries, and source code to identify application components and dependencies.
For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?
Yes, Inventory runs in an LPAR under z/OS. It leverages z/OS facilities to access and analyze application components.
What specific technologies does Inventory analyze?
Inventory analyzes JCL, PROCs, load libraries, and source code. It identifies programs, COPY statements, and references to CICS, IMS, and SQL.
What kind of reports does Inventory generate?
Inventory produces reports that list all executable programs within an application, along with their dependencies. This helps users understand the application's structure and identify potential issues.
Business Value
How does Inventory provide business value?
Inventory helps organizations understand their mainframe applications, which can lead to better decision-making regarding modernization, migration, or maintenance. This reduces risk and improves efficiency.
How does Inventory help reduce costs?
By providing a clear understanding of application dependencies, Inventory helps organizations avoid costly errors during application changes. It also facilitates faster troubleshooting and problem resolution.
Does Inventory help with compliance?
Inventory supports compliance efforts by providing a comprehensive view of application components and data flows. This helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and internal policies.
Security
How does Inventory ensure security?
Inventory leverages z/OS security features to control access to application components and data. It integrates with existing security systems to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
Does Inventory provide audit logging?
Inventory generates audit logs that track user access and changes to application components. These logs can be used to monitor security and identify potential threats.
Does Inventory support data encryption?
Inventory can be configured to encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit. This protects data from unauthorized access and ensures compliance with data privacy regulations.
Operations
How is Inventory deployed?
Inventory is typically deployed on-premise within the z/OS environment. It requires access to JCL, PROCs, load libraries, and source code repositories.
What level of expertise is required to implement and operate Inventory?
Implementing Inventory requires expertise in z/OS and mainframe application development. Ongoing operations include monitoring scan jobs and reviewing reports.
What are common implementation challenges?
Common implementation challenges include ensuring access to all required data sources and configuring the tool to accurately identify application components.
Ready to Start Your Migration?
Download our comprehensive migration guide for Inventory or calculate your ROI.