BMC AMI DevX

BMC AMI DevX  solutions are primarily used for mainframe-based resources and application development, encompassing not only COBOL but also Workbench  and VS Code for various purposes.

Data management tools like File-AID enhance these capabilities, with features such as Host Manager allowing access to UNIX files on the mainframe, collectively serving as platform operations tools for developers.

While I am aware of the possibility to integrate Git  with BMC AMI DevX  zAdviser, this integration does not fit within our solution landscape.

BMC AMI DevX offers source code management through a tool called Code Pipeline, which I have been using as a source code manager and for building with custom scripts rather than out-of-the-box functionality.

Code Pipeline also serves as an artifact manager and release manager, providing DevOps capabilities for our organization.

Workbench  functions as an IDE  for developers, and data management tools enable editing, updating, browsing datasets, and unit testing.

Code Insights, an AI-based solution, helps with code explanation and visualization.

BMC AMI DevX's IDE  provides a modern development experience that new developers prefer, and Code Pipeline stands out as a very good standalone solution, though it requires openness at an enterprise scale.

File-AID and similar products are also excellent.

BMC AMI DevX tools have noticeably impacted our developers' productivity and efficiency.

New-age developers prefer VS Code-based or Eclipse-based solutions, which eliminate the need to remember commands, and this represents a significant gain.

The CI/CD offering allows integration of quality checks and unit test processes into the pipeline, which improves compliance and enhances productivity, enabling developers to focus on development while the pipeline automates integration.

To improve BMC AMI DevX, consideration should be given to cloud-style provisioning and development models, as well as integration of more AI capabilities.

Enhancements in VS Code extensions to develop BMC-specific agents that developers can use in their day-to-day work could also make a significant difference.

I have been working with BMC AMI DevX, specifically with the AMI DevX products from Compuware, the company that BMC acquired, for at least seven years.

Hybrid CI/CD integration with existing enterprise DevOps tools is good, and I would rate BMC AMI DevX as a stable solution that I have been using for years and find working fine.

BMC AMI DevX is absolutely scalable, and while I am not certain how to rate it precisely, I consider it a highly scalable solution.

I communicate often with BMC AMI DevX's technical support.

BMC AMI DevX's technical support responds very well and takes all cases seriously.

One case involved certificate-based authentication, which they implemented successfully, and I suggested enhancements for the DB2  pipeline that they are working on, such as adding a validate button on the command center, which I hope will be available next quarter.

I evaluated other tools based on existing tools I had for years, which led to integrating the entire DevX ecosystem into a solution rather than searching for completely new tools.

Before adopting BMC AMI DevX, I carried out proofs of concept and shortlisted solutions, though I did not formally complete implementation with others.

As the administrator of BMC AMI DevX  Code Pipeline , I set up applications, pipelines, associations, flags, and deployment. BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline's deployment process has three phases. The first phase moves the source code from ISPW's internal libraries to the production libraries. Then it performs the implementation phase, and the final phase is the activation phase. The activation phase moves the code and performs DB2  binds if DB2  is involved in the COBOL programs. During the activation phase, if there are any CICS  modules, it performs new copies and phasing commands. It actually runs and kicks off those started tasks to handle the activation phase.

I could not compare how BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline has impacted my company positively because when I joined the company, this product was already installed. The organization had switched from Changeman to this product, ISPW, before my arrival, so I could not compare the benefits. BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline is secure and has really tight controls. Nothing can get into production without the proper approvals and following the policies. The developers prefer to use it and are happy with it.

The best feature of BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline that impresses me is the fallback functionality. The fallback functionality impresses me because when developers deploy large releases involving multiple components, such as COBOL programs, underlying copy books, and CICS  modules, backing out changes would typically become a nightmare. With ISPW, developers can back out the entire release or entire package. If they deployed 100 components and want to back out everything, they can do so with one function and back out all components without worrying about backing out each individual component. They can back out the entire deployment set, which handles everything and brings them back to the previous versions. Developers can also selectively back out a subset of the deployed components. They also have the ability to revert to not just the most previous version but can go back several versions if they choose to do so. This gives them a lot of flexibility.

The only thing that bothers me about BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline is the screen movement. On the screens, I cannot move to fields easily. I have to put my cursor on the field and tap it to bring focus there, or use the tab key multiple times to get to a field on the screen. This sometimes bothers me. If BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline can improve the UI and user interface on the screens, that would be beneficial. Otherwise, I think the product works well.

I have been using BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline since 2019, which is seven years.

BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline is stable and reliable.

BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline runs on one LPAR, and no matter where someone is in the world, they have to use it on that LPAR. My company does not provide copies of this product on different LPARs. For example, my company has the product installed on one LPAR, let's say SysB. If someone is in India, another country, or another state in the United States and wants to use it, they have to use it on SysB and all log into that. BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline does have a PC version or internet version called Topaz. Again, it has to go to the same SysB and signs into the same SysB TSO and the same LPAR.

I have a very good experience with BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline customer service and technical support. Every time I open a case, I get an immediate response. Sometimes it takes a while for them to provide a solution, but they usually do. They are very responsive.

My company was using Changeman before adopting BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline. Changeman is another version control system that is similar in nature but did not have all the same functionalities that BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline offers. It was limited.

I was not here to see the initial setup of BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline, but I heard it took a while. A team of BMC engineers and developers came and sat with the company staff. It took them considerable time because the company had thousands of programs and underlying components, with DB2 and CICS involved. They had to study everything, take inventory of all the artifacts, and then set up sample applications in the product and test everything. I would assume the initial setup took at least a year.

My company is not currently considering changing to anything else regarding BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline. In the past, the company may have considered other products, but I do not know how many others are available. The only other option is cloud-based, but I do not think the company is going in that direction.

BMC AMI DevX Code Pipeline is a solid product that any company can benefit from if they want to have tight control and a standard way of deploying applications into production in a secure manner. This is an excellent product to work with. I give this product a rating of 9.