Technical Support Overview

Technical Support refers to the information required to direct and support the installation and technical operation of Andersen Consulting's MAC-PAC.  Generally, this information applies to the entire system, regardless of the modules that are installed.  Information that is specific to a module can be found in the user or program documentation manual for that module.

Technical Support information is provided in Technical Support Manual.  Additional technical information is provided in the Installation Guide.  File layouts for all files in the system are available from the Customer Support Hotline. 

Technical Support Manual

The Technical Support Manual is directed to the system operator.  The Basic Concepts section explains basic elements of the MAC-PAC technical architecture, including MAC-PAC naming conventions, data definitions, system files (Reference File and System Control File), and error handling.  The Operation Procedures section provides both daily and period procedures for operating the system.  These procedures include starting online and off-line processing, backing up files, and reorganizing/purging files.

In addition, procedures are provided for using the following features:

·     Recovery Management

·     Menu Authorization

·     International Translation Facility

·     Help Text Facility

·     Valid Values

The program documentation material in the Technical Support Manual is directed to the system operator and to those who will be responsible for customizing the software.  The manual provides background information relative to the use of the Technical Support features included with the software.  The job streams are explained where applicable, and program descriptions are included for each program that is used.  The Recovery Management section provides the necessary information if journaling or commitment control will be removed or modified.  Finally, each section includes any additional information that may be required when customizing the software.

The Technical Support Manual assumes that the reader possesses a basic familiarity with the IBM hardware.  The books do not provide technical information that relates directly to the functioning of IBM hardware or software.  Where necessary, references are given to direct the reader to IBM materials that provide further information on a topic.

Installation Guide

Instructions for installing the software and setting up system parameters are given in a separate installation manual--the Installation Guide.  That manual answers technical questions about compiling the software and how the MAC-PAC environment should be set up.  The Technical Support manual assumes that MAC-PAC has already been installed following these instructions.  The Installation Guide also contains information about how to maintain and upgrade the system code from release to release.

Key Features

The Technical Support Manual provides the necessary information for the key technical features of the software:

Centralized Data Definitions

All data definitions are stored in field reference files.  One field reference file exists for each module.  Information about these files is provided in the Basic Concepts section of this manual.

Reference File and System Control File

These two files contain parameters for running and system and codes and default information.  The files are explained in the Basic Concepts section of this manual.

Asynchronous Processing

MAC-PAC uses asynchronous processing for jobs with extensive file updates.  The processing is handled through asynchronous monitors.  The monitors are described in great detail in the Operation Procedures section of this manual.

File Reorganization Programs

System files must be purged occasionally to ensure that system resources are not being consumed to store obsolete information.  MAC-PAC uses several types of purge logic to ensure that information is only deleted when it is no longer needed.  Information about how to purge the files is provided in the, Operation Procedures section of this manual.  This section contains a suggested sequence for purging the files. 

Recovery Management

The Recovery Management feature of the software operates independently of the modules with which it is released.  This feature protects against the loss of valuable business information in the event of a hardware or software failure.  The Technical Support Manual contains an overview of this feature, the Recovery Management job streams, procedures for recovering the system after a hardware or software failure, and samples of the related screens and reports.  The program documentation includes program descriptions.

Menu Authorization

The Menu Authorization feature of the software allows you to customize the menus used in the system.  The utility also allows you to maintain effective security control by limiting access to menus and menu options for individual users.  An overview of the Menu Authorization module and a description of the procedures used to maintain menus, options, and security control is found in the Menu Authorization section of this manual.

International Translation Facility

The International Translation Facility of the software allows users to translate all software screens and reports from English into other languages.  It also allows English-speaking users to tailor software terminology to their specific needs.  The manual includes procedure for using this facility, as well as the related screens and reports.  An overview of this feature and the related program descriptions are also included.

Help Text Facility

Within MAC-PAC, context-sensitive help is provided for each application screen.  The Help Text Facility allows you to modify that online help text.

Valid Values

MAC-PAC's valid values processing allows you to view a list of valid values for a field during data entry.  You can then select one of the listed values to be returned to the application screen.  Valid values programs are provided for Reference File categories and master files throughout MAC-PAC.

Control Language

The manual discusses the way in which the MAC-PAC software uses the IBM system control language.  This section focuses on the control language in relation to the software menu programs, program callers, and fast path control.