OpenTech Systems & HealthMarkets
DR Update: a Case Study!

HealthMarkets Overview

We were introduced to OpenTech Systems in our conversion from 3490 tapes to 3592 tapes and VTS 3490 tapes. We had approximately 95 TBs of data to move to the new solution. Tape Copy was our tool of choice.

We are using Tape Copy / VDR to backup our VTS tapes for Disaster Recovery.
We ran into a time constraint with the VTS cache and pulling data from back store volumes VTAR was brought in and decreased our VTS backup time by 50%. We also use DBS for our full volume backups. We just recently replaced another incremental backup tool with DR/Xpert and have been very pleased. We just completed a successful 24 hour DR test and had no problems with OpenTech’s recovery tools.

1. Downloaded product from their WEB site to a PC
2. Transferred binary XMIT product file to our Z/OS system
3. Received file using TSO command which created the install library
4. Edited Members in the install library (HLQ, VOL, etc)
5. Executed jobs (product installed)
6. Customizing the products is accomplished by adjusting PARM LIB members
- The PARMS are complex due to many ways the products can be configure
- OpenTech’s post sales support staff was onsite to help with customization
7. After the PARMS are set and LOADLIB APF the product is ready to run
Product maintenance has been to edit/replace a member or apply a ZAP to a LOADLIB member, very easy to do
OpenTech’s product support has been excellent

Tape Copy helped us successfully convert our old technology to the new without any problems. We were able to finish ahead of schedule.
VTAR saved us about $500,000 by allowing us to stay with our current VTS and not have to upgrade.
DBS took a manual backup process and automated it with tracked duplication.
DR/Xpert replaced a far less robust disaster recovery product with a manageable solution that allows us to duplicate offsite tape backups.