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Gelb
Information
Systems
Corporation |
Ivan
Gelb - Experience
Summary:
His data processing experience of more than thirty years includes (a)
management of a consulting practice with partners, various systems technical
functions, computer operations, and production control, (b) operating systems
generation, maintenance, and tuning, (c) evaluations and optimization of
computer systems performance, (d) DASD management planning and implementation
for centralized and multiple architecture distributed systems, (e)
client/server, host- and network-centric communications systems design,
development, and maintenance, (f) mainframe and client/server configuration capacity
modeling and simulation including the development of commercially available
packages and advanced proprietary techniques, (g) information systems planning
for mainframe and client/server environments including needs assessments,
packaged software selection, and custom software development, (h) evaluation,
selection, installation, change control, testing, and support of various software
packages for mainframes, minis, and PCs, (i) implementation of improvements
in centralized and client/server computer security and controls, (j) hardware
and software configuration needs assessments, development of justifications and
specifications for acquisition support, preparation of documents for competitive
procurements, and selection of vendors through competitive bidding, (k)
development and presentation of various management and in-depth technical
seminars, and (l) litigation support as an expert witness in all areas of
technology, performance validation, contract disputes, and software copyright
protection.
Employment History:
Gelb Information Systems Corporation: President, 1988 to Present.
International Systems Services Co.: Senior Manager/Partner,
1983‑1988.
Morgan Guaranty Trust: Assistant
Vice President, 1979‑1983; Systems Programming Supervisor,
1971‑1979.
Chase Manhattan Bank: Systems
Programmer, 1969‑1971.
American Express: Technical
Support Specialist, 1968‑1969.
Bache & Company: Console
Operator, 1967‑1968.
Professional and Business Experience:
Mr. Gelb's experience includes data processing management and technical
consulting for numerous clients in the private and public sector in the United
States and internationally. The typical assignments include reviews of (a)
computer installation effectiveness, (b) short- and long-term plans, (c)
hardware and software strategy in multi-vendor environments, (d) performance and
capacity management, and (e) executive information systems. Other types of
projects include: identification of hardware and software alternatives,
preparations of requests for proposals, evaluations and vendor selections,
performance tuning of applications and systems, custom software design and
development, installation and modification of software packages.
Implemented performance and capacity management systems for numerous
clients utilizing most of the commercially available tools as well as some
proprietary techniques. While some computer resource plans resulted in
procurements of over $100 million/year, all the prepared plans focus on
identifying the most cost-effective alternatives. This frequently resulted in
the postponement or complete avoidance of significant costs for the clients.
Managed the systems programming staff supporting several different
operating systems, on‑line transaction processors, and general timesharing
for a major bank; responsible for supporting three large data centers.
Performed analysis of performance and capacity implications of hardware
and software configurations for large two- and three-tier client/server systems.
This work included software performance engineering, detailed measurements,
modeling of alternatives, and instructing other staff in the use of proper
techniques.
Provided technical assistance for the preparation of court challenges in
major government procurements. The
projects included (a) analysis of proposal methodologies, (b) validation of
tools and techniques used, (c) code copyrights and intellectual property source
determinations and (d) expert testimony.
Edited the Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM)
Information Technology Acquisition Guide publication titled "Performance
and Capability Validation Guide." This
work emphasized the benefits and risks associated with the selection of various
tools and techniques for performance validation.
Experienced with OS/390, MVS
(all releases), VS/1, DOS (all releases), VSE (all releases),
VM (all releases), MVT, and MFT operating systems, CICS, IMS/DB and DC,
ADABAS, DATACOM, DB2, DL/I, IDMS, DATACOM, MODEL 204, TOTAL batch and
on‑line systems in MVS and DOS/VSE environments using BTAM, TCAM, TCP/IP
and VTAM communications access methods, and a variety of data center operational
software such as library management systems, tape and disk management systems,
scheduling systems, security packages, optimization software, etc. Other
software experience includes OS/400, Sun Solaris, UNIX, AIX, DOS, Windows,
Windows 95 and 98, Windows NT, OS/2.
Performed technical consulting for a domestic bank's divisional offices
in London, Brussels, and Paris. Activities included hardware and software
planning, application design reviews, quality assurance reviews, problem and
change management, performance evaluations, and independent verification and
validation activities.
Evaluated computer resource utilization for a credit card operation and
many data centers of a large bank. The
evaluations highlighted workload composition, relate utilization of computer
resources to business workloads, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Conducted a capacity study of an on‑line bank customer
communication system. IBM's
SNAP\SHOT tool was used to project computer resource utilization and terminal
response times based on future business level projections. Other relevant
experience includes most of the commercially available capacity management
tools.
Designed, developed, and marketed a computer performance modeling package
that included expert systems technology. This
was an industry leading first use of such technology for performance management
and capacity planning.
Directed, developed, and implemented change management, problem
management, and availability management functions that included (a) configuration
management, (b) the control and scheduling of changes, (c) problem identification,
reporting, and tracking, and (d) availability tracking and control for
hardware, systems software, application programs, and program products.
Also experienced with on‑line testing and quality assurance using
automated tools.
Conducted an application design review and a pre‑implementation
performance evaluation of an on‑line Eurobond trade order matching system.
Performed numerous other application reviews to identify potential
performance problems, computer capacity needs, and optimum design techniques.
Such reviews resulted in 30 to 80% reduction in the computer resources
consumed by the application.
Developed comprehensive software plans and budgets, determined which
licenses were most cost‑effective, and negotiated with software vendors
for various software purchases. Specialized in reducing software license costs
without impacting essential functions of the systems.
Installed and utilized such industry standard packages as BEST/1, CMF,
CRYSTAL, ISS/THREEE, JARS, KOMAND, MICS, MXG, OMEGAMON, QCM, STROBE, THE
MONITOR, for (a) application and systems performance management, (b) capacity
management, (c) Executive/Management Information Systems, and (d) data
processing cost charge-back systems.
Developed justifications, project plans, and performed and managed
conversions among all IBM operating systems environments such PCP, MFT, MVT,
DOS, VM, VS1, and all MVS releases. Also worked on conversions from Apple,
Boroughs, CDC, DEC, HP, and Sperry to IBM environments or the integration of the
above in multi-vendor configurations.
Performed direct access storage device utilization studies for data
centers. SMF, RMF, and specialized
trace data were used to determine load distribution.
The objectives of these projects were cost control and performance
improvements. Designed and developed various tools for performance and cost
analysis of data placement alternatives.
Developed project plans for conversion of on‑line CICS systems to
current software releases. Mr. Gelb
is a recognized authority in the United States and internationally for the work
performed on all releases of CICS. This
includes early experience with CICS/ESA Version 3 and 4.
Planned, directed, and performed numerous CICS on-line systems
performance evaluations, significantly improving average terminal response
times. These performance evaluations led to application design enhancements,
CICS parameter changes. Also, adjustments to the operating system,
communication, and data base customization resulted in more effective utilization
of available computer resources.
Directed and performed studies to reduce CICS recovery and restart
times. These studies resulted in
recovery and restart time reductions by a factor of three.
Developed and conducted various seminars for management, systems
programmers, programmers, and operators. Subjects included performance
monitoring, capacity planning, communication systems, computer operations,
operating systems, utilities, and program products.
Developed
applications, commercial software packages, and various systems utility programs
for mainframe and client/server environments. Coded worked with most major
programming languages including (in alphabetic order): ADABAS/Natural,
Assembler, Basic, C, C++, Cobol,
Focus, Java, MQSeries, PL/I, Prolog, REXX, RPG, SQL (mainframe, Windows, and
OS/2), VisualAge, Visual Basic, Visual C, VisualGen,
Publications and Presentations:
“Applications and Systems Disk IO Capacity Management” session
presented at Philadelphia CMG meeting, June 1998.
“Parallel Sysplex and Workload Manager Myths and Facts” session
presented at Philadelphia CMG meeting, September 1996.
"CICS/ESA Performance Management," workshop speaker at CMG '95;
International Conference on the Management and Performance Evaluation of
Computer Systems, Nashville, TN, December 1995. This half-day workshop presented
the recent developments such as SYSPLEX, CICSPlex Systems Manager, and
System/390 parallel processors. The emphasis was on the implications of these
developments on performance and capacity management.
"CICS Performance Management and Capacity Planning," speaker
for three-day technical seminar since 1986. Also presented this seminar
internationally since 1988. This seminar focuses on the application of tools and
techniques for CICS performance management, capacity planning, and availability
management. The seminar is up-to-date with developments in ESA, parallel
processors, and SYSPLEX.
"CICS/ESA Performance for Application Developers," speaker
since 1992 for two-day technical
seminar designed to teach the skills needed to design and develop high
performance applications.
Speaker at the annual Systems Software Conference for Computer Associates
since 1988. The topics include MVS
performance, CICS performance, capacity planning, and service level management.
"Bridging the Gap Between Systems and Applications," speaker for the Landmark Systems technical seminar presented
across the United States. This
seminar highlighted tools and techniques that can help application developers
and systems staffs cooperate towards the design and maintenance of efficient
systems.
"CICS Performance for Applications Developers,"
speaker since 1992 for one-day seminar presented in USA and
internationally. This seminar
addresses the everyday need of applications development staff for information
about performance and efficiency factors
to consider during development life-cycle.
"CICS/ESA Technical Insights and Exploitation,"
speaker since 1990 for one-day seminar
presented in USA and internationally.
Focus of this course is to inform technical people on the new methods
made available by the latest software releases to produce high performance and
high availability systems.
"CICS/ESA Performance Management," speaker at CMG '91; International Conference on the Management and Performance
Evaluation of Computer Systems, Nashville, TN, December 1991.
"CICS/ESA Performance and Capacity Management," Leading Edge
track speaker at CMG '90; International
Conference on the Management and Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems,
Orlando, FL, December 1990.
"Validating and Using Models for Forecasting: Problems, Solutions,
Shortcuts," speaker at CMG '89; International
Conference on the Management and Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems,
Reno, NV, December 1989.
"State of the Art Database Management Systems," speaker at
McKinsey seminar for management consultants, Summer 1987.
"CICS/ESA Version 3.1 Performance and Capacity Controls,"
invited speaker for CMG '90 Leading Edge track;
International Conference for the Management and Performance Evaluation of
Computer Systems, Orlando, FL, December 1990.
"Model Validation: What
You Don't Know Will Hurt You," invited speaker at CMG '86;
International Conference on the Management and Performance Evaluation of
Computer Systems, Las Vegas, NV, December 1986.
"A Hierarchical Approach to Model Validation," speaker at seminar on
State of the Art in Computer Capacity Management, Tarrytown, NY, October
1986.
"Computer Operations Management:
True Resource Capacity Management...Who and How," invited speaker at
OMICRON Computer Executives Conference, September 1985.
Professional Affiliations:
Member, Association for
Computing Machinery (ACM)
Member, CICS Users Group
Member, International
Computer Measurement Group
Member, The Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Associate Editor, CMG Transactions
Subject Area Chair, Editorial Review Board, Referee at CMG97
Subject Area Chair, Editor Referee at CMG98
Director, Philadelphia Region CMD
Editorial Review Board Member, Enterprise Systems Journal
Member, IBM’s Gold TP & Messaging, Gold Database
and Gold Enterprise Servers Groups for Consultants
Education:
B.Sc., with honors, Computer Science and Business, Pace University, New
York, NY, 1978.
Numerous technical and managerial training seminars and conferences every
year.
