Originally posted by: Thomas Luther

IBM CSM Flash Copy Manager for z/OS (CSMFCM) was designed to provide fast and efficient integration and exploitation into DS8000 z/OS batch job environments. It provides the ability to discover and build FlashCopy configurations from the batch environment with mix-and-match capabilities using z/OS concepts such as DFSMS specifications, Storage Groups, VOLSERs, devices etc. It integrates with z/OS, provides ISPF panels to manage configurations and build the required jobs as well as automating relabeling of FlashCopy targets to take them online after the Flash was initiated.

The main benefits of CSMFCM compared to IBM Copy Services Manager or other FlashCopy tools on z/OS are following:

• dynamically build FC relationships and jobs in large and often rapidly changing batch environments, based on various criteria, such as VOLSERs with wildcards, Storage Groups or others.
• Performs flashes for large environments much faster than CSM or other DFSMS/TSO routines

While originally IBM Flash Copy Manager for z/OS was sunset a few years ago, IBM discovered that there was a niche of customers requiring this level of functionality, that none of the IBM tools or products was fulfilling but EMC timefinder was. Therefore Flash Copy Manager  is now officially supported again and delivered as a component of IBM Copy Services Manager. It supports z/OS attached CKD volumes and is available with:

• IBM Copy Services Manager for System z (5698-E01)
• IBM Copy Services Manager Basic Edition for System z (5698-E02)

CSMFCM has its own FMID and customers may install CSMFCM separately and in coexistance with CSM. For more details on CSMFCM, please watch this GO Training video on Youtube: