IBM yesterday expanded its software support services in the US with the launch of IBM FastService, a facility designed to enable large systems customers to go some way to automating the process of pinpointing and resolving problems in their application software. FastService uses proprietary software and probes installed in application programs to notify customers of problems, the first time they are encountered, and advise of any known solutions. The idea is that customers should be able to identify and correct problems without the time-consuming process of recreating the conditions under which they occurred. The benefits depend on the systems environment, but IBM reckons FastService can streamline the time it takes to detect and correct application snags by up to 40%. It consists of proprietary software, hardware, on-site training and assistance, and provides users with the ability to detect error conditions in their applications, electronically notify appropriate customer personnel of the conditions and automatically log or update them in a problem management system. If the incident is a recurrence of a previously reported problem, FastService will also electronically notify the appropriate customer personnel that the problem is known and suggest the solution. The new offering, available in the first quarter of 1991, will initially support customers using Cobol, Pl/I or Assmbler applications under MVS/XA or MVS/ESA but other versions are planned. No price.
