Thinking of migrating to DB2 10?

DB2 10 for z/OS will support skip migration from V8 as well as from V9.  Despite DB2 9 containing some very attractive new functions and being Generally Available for nearly 3 years now, the recent global economic downturn has seriously impacted IT budgets and many customers still find themselves running DB2 V8 (or even earlier releases).

Who is the skip migration going to benefit? If you’re brave or unlucky enough to be running on V7 (unsupported for well over a year now) you’ll hopefully be planning an upgrade to V8 very soon. V8 is a big pill to swallow, and will probably keep you busy for the next 6-12 months while you roll it out across your various environments. Once you’ve done that, you’re going to be nicely placed to take advantage of the skip migration and go directly to DB2 10. Likewise, if you’ve only just completed your V7 to V8 migration project and are unlikely to get management approval for another migration to DB2 9 so soon after the last one, you may want to consider staying with V8 for now and migrating directly to DB2 10 during the next 18-24 months.

Whichever path you take, make sure you’re getting some good advice on the pros and cons, and go in to the migration project with your eyes open. Don’t underestimate the effort involved in a skip migration, or the “culture shock” for developers and support staff asked to take on two releases worth of new function in a single, large, indigestible lump.

Need help getting management to support the upgrade?  Read the DB2 10 Business Benefits white paper.