Product Maintenance

Product maintenance is the process by which updates are implemented between versions. These updates may consist of improvements to the software or resolutions to problems that were discovered during day-to-day product use. These updates are implemented using SMP/E only.

Product maintenance falls into two categories:

• Periodic maintenance, sometimes called preventative maintenance, consists of software updates (PTFs) that are collected, tested and distributed as a package on a periodic basis. The maintenance level of an installation is defined by the highest level of periodic maintenance applied.
• Ad hoc maintenance, sometimes called corrective maintenance, consists of one or more PTFs that are applied as necessary, according to specific customer needs.

For a detailed description of maintenance implementation, see the INCONTROL for z/OS Installation Guide: Upgrading.