This Db2 for z/OS News from the Lab blog entry was originally published on 2019-10-01.

IBM has simplified installation and migration for Db2 12 by integrating 1,070 Db2 12 PTFs (more than 33 months of maintenance) in a new SMPE SUP (service update) product base tape for new SMPE installation of Db2 12 for z/OS. The new Db2 12 base product tape was cut on July 30, 2019 (PDO1930), and integrates maintenance that enables you to activate function levels up to function level 505.

The new SMPE product base tape is available for all orders placed in Shopz beginning on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Db2 development also evaluated each of the 640 ++HOLDs from the integrated PTF maintenance and reduced the number of ++HOLDs for you to evaluate to just 21 items!

The the new SUP product base tape has been tested for installation and migration of both Db2 data sharing and stand-alone subsystems, including:

• SMPE installation
• Migration from Db2 11
• Fallback to Db2 11
• Re-migration to Db2 12
• Installation of Db2 12

IRLM 2.3, a component of Db2 for z/OS (and IMS), was also SUP'd, integrating 75 IRLM PTFs delivered in the past 68 months. This IRLM SMPE tape will be available with Db2 for z/OS and IMS orders beginning 10/4/2019.