ITM 6.1 Visualization & Dashboards

When it comes to monitoring complex environments, event management will only take you so far. There are natural limits to how quickly and efficiently human operators can process an ever increasing stream of alerts. What is needed is a visualization layer that provides real-time graphical representations of Tier 1 applications and services so that critical alerts are identified, diagnosed and resolved before the business is affected. To find out more about Axibase role-based visualization and dashboard solutions, click here.

NEW - Be heard by the entire TUG community!
Now you can communicate and share your thoughts and information easily with other TUG members! New "add a comment" and "add content" submission buttons have been added to the TUG website on pages wherever you see the above icon.

This exciting new feature has been created for your benefit. The content and comments contributed by you and your peers combine together to create a rare and unique collection of knowledge around Tivoli products and services. This invaluable and unique pool of information can now be instantly and easily accessed by you with just a few clicks. In appreciation of your content and or comment contributions, the GTUG council will be rewarding TUG members who contribute the most content on a quarterly basis by sending them a special gift. Please click here for more information on how this contest works.

As a special promotion to kick-off the roll out of this new feature, the GTUG council will be rewarding 5 TUG members who contribute the most content in the months of November 2007 and December 2007 with a FREE CERTIFICATION TESTING VOUCHER (Click here). Get started posting your comments and content today!

Semi-Annual Survey Results
Thank you to the 436 people who filled out the Semi-Annual TUG website satisfaction survey! With 94% of you satisfied with the website we still have some improvements to make. Base on your comments we are looking into the following:
Updating the Menu bar, Better Front page navigation, Increase Newsletter/Communication frequency, and add RSS feeds on original content.

When asked if the TUG website has solved problems, we received some of the following answers:

• "When Candle owned the Omegamon products, I could get a person on the phone and ask a question. Because of our service contract with IBM, I now have to go through a 3rd party. The TUG P2P service allows me to question a knowledgeable person. It's Great!"
• "TUG website has made it very simple to plan attendance to TUG meetings"
• "TME mailing list solved several TEC problems that we experienced"
• "Found what's new and what's coming for ITM62 which can't find in other way"

Welcome to our NEW Tivoli User Groups since September:

1) Australia and New Zealand Maximo User Group, 2) Michigan SVC User Group, 3) Transportation Maximo User Group

Take 5 minutes to fill out the TUG Member Survey about Common Solutions

IBM has developed five common solutions that combine services and products to provide a complete customer solution around specific, high-value pain points. We would like to understand if these solutions are areas of pain for your organization, if they contain the right level of products and services, and if you would purchase solutions. Your answers will help IBM to better address your future needs for products and services.

A SPECIAL THANKS for being a member OFFERING: 50% off Certification Assesment Vouchers to ALL TUG members!

As an existing Tivoli User Group member you can receive 50% off the cost of each Tivoli Assessment Test you take between 1 October 2007 and 31 December 2007. Use the instructions in the Member Benefits section of the website to register for and take the assessment test of your choice at a 50% discount (value $5 USD).

An assessment test is specifically designed to be a predictor of success on the actual exam and help you determine whether or not you would benefit from further study prior to sitting for the certification exam. Assessment tests are designed to be "low stakes" tests and can be taken through the internet in an unproctored environment. So you can take one at any time, anywhere!

What can you do to support the TUG community?

Tivoli Continous Data Protection (CDP) voted "Easiest to Use". Interested in Tivoli Continuous Data Protection (CDP) for your personal PC, while helping to support the TUG website? A portion of the sales of this product is given back to support the community. Click here to learn more about CDP or make a purchase.

Thank You Tivoli software for promoting the Global Tivoli User Group Community website!

Check out the updated and improved Customer Resources page on the Tivoli software User Community portal page and listen to IBM/Tivoli's podcast on the value of the Tivoli User Community

Upcoming Product Releases from Tivoli software

• Tivoli Network Manager v3.7 - Aug
• Service Request Management - Oct
• Tivoli Change and Configuration Management DB v7.1 - Oct
• System Storage Productivity Center v3.3 - Oct
• Tivoli Identity Manager v 5.0 - Nov
• Tivoli Storage Manager v5.5 - Nov
• Tivoli IT Composite Application Mgr for SOA v7.1 - Nov
• Tivoli System Automation for z/OS v.3.2 - Dec
• Tivoli Netcool: VoIP Manager, Omnibus, Reporter - Dec
• Tivoli Service Request Center v7.1 - Jan '08

Experience a remote proof of concept from the comfort of your office! Interested in hands on experience with IBM Tivoli's Netcool product set, but unable to invest the time & expense in traveling to an IBM location? Click here to learn more and register for your remote experience.

Check out the NEW: Governance and Risk Management Community Portal which is bringing together G&RM focused professionals through an online community that leverages the very latest in web 2.0 technologies. The purpose of the portal is to provide a destination where people can create, share, discuss, collaborate, and learn about the current trends in Governance and Risk Management.

Are you a SMB/midmarket customer? If so, IBM has created a new site showcasing the rich portfolio of Tivoli solutions designed for mid market growing businesses that you must check out.

Storage Product News

Tivoli Storage Manager for Microsoft SharePoint - View a webinar demo!
Featured in this web seminar is the newest Tivoli Storage Manager offering for application protection; Tivoli Storage Manager for Microsoft SharePoint.

Tivoli Storage Manager v5.5 coming soon!
Look for Tivoli Storage Manager v5.5 to announce in mid November. This latest version of the enterprise-class Tivoli Storage Manager features optimized backup and restore, advanced replication technologies, enhanced security and ease of use.

NEWS from one of our TUG website sponsors: Attention TSM Users! Are you still manually exporting application data to spreadsheets in order to track occupancy, monitor media status and utilization or track job completion? Can you accurately predict media requirements and growth?

Bocada Enterprise 5 provides:

Occupancy Reports
Find which clients are causing the most TSM database growth
Track occupancy by storage pool, policy or management class
Media Reports
Track media utilization for planning and load balancing
Manage library residency for compliance purposes
Quickly identify Missed/Failed backups over long periods of time

Security Product News

Check out the datasheet on Building a powerful, security-rich data foundation for enterprise identity management
Abstract: IBM TivoliŽ Directory Server helps companies meet today's IT challenges by providing a high-performance Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) identity infrastructure. A powerful, security-rich and standards-compliant enterprise directory, Tivoli Directory Server is built to serve as the identity data foundation for your Web applications and identity management initiatives. It helps enable rapid devel­opment and deployment by including strong management, replication and security features. For more information, visit: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/products/directory-server/

View the Solution Sheet on Security and Compliance Management
Title: Enhance security and facilitate compliance with the IBM User Compliance Management solution
This solution sheet describes the IBM User Compliance Management solution which helps companies address the security and compliance issues associated with user access. This comprehensive solution provides a powerful combination of IBM consulting services and IBM Tivoli software. For more information, visit: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/solutions/user-compliance-mgmt/

Interested in learning how IBM addresses the Federal Information Management Security Act (FISMA), beyond just reporting? Register for a replay of this webcast.

Visit the IBM Learning Lab at the Gartner Data Center Conference 11/27-30

Save the Date! THE 2008 Tivoli Conference for all Tivoli customers: IBM Pulse 08
Target Audience:All Tivoli Customers and Business Partners, including Past TTUC attendees, MaximoWorld attendees, Netcool User Symposium attendees
Date: May 18-22, 2008
More Info and FAQ sheets: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/pulse08/

TUG webcasts offered through TUG community:
14 Nov, Better Ways to Store and Manage Your Data with Tivoli and AMD
Archived Increasing Agility Across the IT Service Lifecycle
Archived: Extending IBM Tivoli Monitoring to predict and avoid problems
Archived: IBM Tivoli and Maximo Asset Management Development Update & Maximo 7.1 Preview

Security Events

Webcast: Leveraging security information and event management for policy compliance, security monitoring and incident response
Focus solutions: SIEM solution from Tivoli + ISS suite
November 1, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. EST
Abstract: Audit and compliance requirements affect most organizations, through federal or industry regulations, or service level agreements. The challenge is addressing them in a cost-effective and efficient way, with the least disruption to business processes. Attend this webcast to learn how.

Webcast: PCI remediation 101: Compliance roadblocks and real-world successes
November 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. EST
Focus solutions: Tivoli Security Management solutions + ISS suite
Abstract: Stuck in PCI purgatory? You've passed your first assessment and now, what's next? How do you implement all these plans to stay in compliance? Register for the webcast for an informative session with IBM PCI-certified experts to learn how other companies have successfully tackled these issues.

Webcast: Reducing risk in your organization - a look at security
November 15, 2007 at 11:00 am. EST
Focus solutions: Tivoli Security Management solutions + Tivoli CCMDB + Rational Watchfire + ISS suite + IRIS
Abstract: The most innovative companies keep their competitive advantage by leveraging information as a strategic asset. But as the volume of information grows along with mounting regulations, it's even harder to meet compliance requirements and control costs. Join and learn ways to stay ahead of the competition - and stay secure.

Storage Events

Webcast: Data Protection for your Microsoft Environment: Tivoli Storage Manager for Mail Demonstration - View the Archived Webcast

Webcast: Managing Storage Growth: TotalStorage Productivity Center Demonstration - View the Archived webcast
Abstract: A demonstration of the comprehensive solution that provides end-to-end capacity management of storage area networks containing a melting pot of mixed vendor equipment.

Webcast: Application Aware Business Continuity, Protecting Key Business Applications: Tivoli Storage Manager Demonstration - View the Archived Webcast
Focus solutions: The newest Tivoli Storage Manager offering for application protection; Tivoli Storage Manager for Microsoft SharePoint.

2007 Tivoli Technical User Conference Recorded Presentations on CD Free to Tivoli User Group Members ONLY

Your Global Tivoli User Group Council selected the most popular presentations from the 2007 TTUC and asked Tivoli Training to record these presentations and make them available to User Group members on CD. The CD is now available.

To order your FREE TTUC CD, contact your Tivoli User Group Leader.

Recorded IBM Presentations from the 2007 GTUG Face-to-Face Meeting
The Global Tivoli User Group Council (GTUG) is composed of appointed leaders from 20 User Groups spanning the globe, and it represents the overall TUG population in monthly conference calls to IBM, in which new topics and concerns are presented directly to IBM staffers for consideration and response.

This free CD contains recordings of the presentations given by IBM Services personnel at the May 2007 GTUG council F2F meeting. Instead of tool focused presentations, this year IBM was asked to present their strategy from an overall service management perspective focusing on ITIL process automation. IBM presented their strategy to accomplish a service management vision focusing on integration of the IBM product portfolio.

All Tivoli User Group members can order these free CDs through their TUG Leaders. Contact your TUG Leader to order your CD today.

IBM Tivoli Training at User Group Meetings
The German Tivoli User Group and the Central Ohio TSM Tivoli User Group had free training direct from Tivoli Education at their last meetings and YOU CAN TOO.

Quote from Brian Laney - COTUG Leader . . .
"Thanks to each of you for making the Sept 25th TSM User Group meeting a success. We had our best attendance to date with 30 folks from a variety of companies . . . . Overall the feedback forms were "Very Positive". The user group presidents (Celeste and Robin) were very please with the content, delivery, facilities, etc."

In the April and October 2006 surveys of the Tivoli User Group community, we asked you . . .
"What is the best way for IBM to reward you for being a good IBM customer?" Almost 50% of those who responded selected "Free Education Classes" as the best reward.

So, in 2007, Tivoli Training is offering free, in-depth technical training delivered by technical product experts via emeeting at regularly scheduled Tivoli User Group meetings. And you and your User Group Leader select the product and topics to be taught at your meeting from a list of over 225 courses covering over 80 Tivoli products.

What do you need to do to make this happen? Contact your User Group Leader and work with him/her and the other members of your User Group to select the product, course and topics you want taught at your next User Group meeting.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundations Version 3
In this 2-day Instructor-led course you will learn the basics of ITIL, build your awareness of the best practice approach to IT service support and service delivery and gain an understanding of the importance of an IT infrastructure and IT service for an organization. Learn a process-like approach to business organization, the ITIL management framework, basic terms, and concepts of the work processes used to manage an IT infrastructure.

All Tivoli Web-based Courses now Available via the Education Pack Program
The IBM Education Packs are now even better. Why? All our Tivoli Web-based courses are now available for purchase using your Education Pack credits. That's over 260 Courses! From IBM Tivoli Access Manager to IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler courses, you can now apply your credits to the entire training roadmap!

The IBM Education Pack is a prepaid discount program that gives you access to the world class classroom training, technical conferences and e-learning offerings that IBM is renowned for, at a very competitive price. The IBM Education Pack is typically available in small, medium or large quantities offering varying discounts.

Issue #12 of the Tivoli Advisor, a Tivoli technical publication is available and we encourage everyone to check out all these articles:

• TADDM's Flexible Approach to Discovery
• WebSphere Business Integration -an overview
• An Introduction to Identity Management (IdM)
• New name and new enhancements for Tivoli AF/REMOTE as it joins the IBM System Automation family
• IBM launches Governance and Risk Management site

One article in particular we'd like to highlight for you: TADDM's Flexible Approach to Discovery
SUMMARY: With TADDM's flexible approach to discovery and automatic mapping of dependencies from OSI layers 2 through 7, it gives its users the visibility and necessary agility requisite to improve service availability at their firms. Its unique approach of combining agent-less and credential-free discovery in configurable discovery profiles facilitates its user's control over where they discover, what they discover and how deep they go. Armed with the powerful data analysis TADDM provides, Operations can now make the best informed decisions for their firm, continuing to leverage their best practices for the business, but now they can successfully surmount the challenge they were given by Senior Management to align IT with business goals. Read the Tivoli Advisor today.

Recently the GTUG council has been able to preview and give feedback into Tivoli on two different topics: Tivoli Reporting features and the IBM Tivoli Unified Process (ITUP) as apart of their ongoing communications and meetings with Tivoli. Please take a few moments and read our insights into these two topics. In addition, we are looking for more members to be apart of the GTUG council so please do check out our GTUG council page on the TUG website for more details.

Tivoli Common Reporter
Over the years, as Tivoli products have grown by internal development and/or external acquisitions, presentation and reporting of the data has become a growing challenge. IBM was presented with this challenge to come up with a solution that would be simple to install, easy to use, common look and feel within each product and across products using industry standard components to make it pluggable for 3rd party vendors. IBM is addressing this challenge with Tivoli Common Reporting initiative. Please refer to the overview of the common reporting initiative document.

The goals of the reporting initiative look very promising. Once the product is delivered, we will provide feedback to IBM regarding the delivery and quality of the reporting once we experience with it. Check out a more detailed presentation slides describing the common reporting initiative.

ITUP
As you already know, IT service management has become the new buzz in the industry. It refers to end-to-end management of a business service accomplished through alignment of IT services with the business processes. At a high level, IT service management consists of following components:

• Instrumentation of the infrastructure layer (servers, networks, databases, applications, etc...)
• Collection of instrumentation data in asset/configuration management database and monitoring metric/event data in operational database
• Automate processes that use configuration and operational data to provide a business service. (ITIL processes are in this category)
• Present service level management data and SLA violations for various roles within organization (SMEs, operations, CxOs and Lines Of Business)

For the process automation layer, IBM has introduced couple of tools the assists in development of process models.

• IBM Tivoli Unified Process (ITUP) reference model - this tool is free downloadable product from IBM site that provides read only access to already developed what IBM considers "best practices" process models including ITIL aligned processes. You can view process flow charts, people roles and activities that comprise a process like change management, incident management, and so on.
• IBM TIvoli Unified Process (ITUP) Composer - This tool that is based on Rational development tool, however, is chargeable and allows you to modify the existing process models or create your own. This product cost $1,500.