Modules
Specialization Modules
Our modules offer an excellent opportunity to delve deep into a specific topic.
The duration of the specializations varies between one and six months, depending on the content.
Our range of specialization modules is diverse and is constantly being expanded to meet the needs of our customers.
Before attending the Mainframe Architecture for Managers workshop, I was simply curious to see who would come and eager to refresh my mainframe knowledge. The outcome exceeded my expectations. I found the content to be both technically sound and personally engaging. I highly recommend this seminar to anyone in a leadership position within the mainframe environment. It's worth it for the technical insights as well as the open and collaborative atmosphere created by the EMA team.
Heidi Schmidt
Managing Director PKS Software
z/OS Installation & Maintenance (DE)
The installation and maintenance of z/OS involves several key steps, including system planning, hardware and software configuration, and the actual installation.
After installation, system customization is an important step in tailoring the system to individual requirements.
Regular maintenance includes installing software updates, managing system resources, and performing backups.
Participants will learn how to use SMP/E as a tool for installation and maintenance, and gain hands-on experience with the SMP/E tasks required for installing and maintaining z/OS products.
Next start date
September 1, 2026
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer, Operator
Prerequisites
Experience with TSO/ISPF, JCL, batch job processing, and basic hands-on system experience
TSO/E REXX (DE)
The goal of this module is to teach participants the REXX scripting language (in conjunction with TSO/E), which is widely used in Mainframe environments. Participants will understand the structure and organization of REXX programs. They will be able to write REXX programs independently for administrative tasks and other purposes.
Next start date
September 8, 2026
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
German
Target group
Operator, Developer
Prerequisites
Knowledge of logic for procedural programming; experience with TSO, ISPF, JCL, and SDSF
CICS Transaction Server for z/OS Advanced (DE)
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to plan a CICS installation independently and implement a CICS TS (Transaction Server).
Next start date
September 14, 2026
Duration
8 weeks
Learning effort
80 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator
Prerequisites
Working with TSO/ISPF & JCL
z/OS Installation & Maintenance (EN)
z/OS installation and maintenance involve several key steps, including system planning, hardware and software configuration, and installation. Post-installation activities such as system customization are also crucial. Regular maintenance includes applying software updates, managing system resources, and performing backups. Participants will learn how SMP/E is used as a tool for system installation and maintenance. They will gain practical experience in the SMP/E tasks involved in installing and maintaining z/OS products.
Next start date
On request
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
English
Target group
Developer, Operator
Prerequisites
Previous experience with TSO/ISPF, writing JCL, and running batch jobs, as well as fundamental practical system skills.
EMA Certified z/OS Storage Management Professional (DE)
This module is designed for individuals who wish to acquire and expand their knowledge of z/OS storage management. It covers three main topics: the Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem (DFSMS), the Hierarchical Storage Manager, and automated storage management processes.
Next start date
On request
Duration
12 weeks
Learning effort
120 hours
Language
German
Prerequisites
Proficient use of TSO/ISPF and JCL
Mainframe Architecture for Managers (EN)
This vendor-neutral course provides a comprehensive overview of IBM Mainframe technology, covering both its advantages and disadvantages. To ensure impartiality, we deliberately do not use IBM instructors for this seminar.
Next start date
On request
Duration
3 days
Learning effort
3 days
Language
English
Target group
Manager
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
CICS Transaction Server for z/OS Fundamentals (DE)
CICS (Customer Information Control System) is an IBM program for online transaction processing (OLTP). Together with the COBOL programming language, it has established itself over the past decades as the most widely used toolset for developing transaction-oriented applications in the field of Mainframe computing within enterprise environments. A large number of the legacy applications still in use today are COBOL/CICS programs.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer, Administrator
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required.
DB2 - The Basics (DE)
This module covers the basics of the DB2 for z/OS subsystem and is intended for DB2 administrators.
Next start date
On request
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator, Developer
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Mainframe Architecture, Working with TSO / ISPF / JCL and SDSF
Resource Access Control Facility (RACF) Professional (DE)
In this module, participants will gain in-depth insights into data security, become familiar with the functions and capabilities of RACF in a z/OS environment, and learn how to confidently master all necessary aspects of the 3As.
Next start date
On request
Duration
8 weeks
Learning effort
80 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
Strong knowledge of the z/OS system
UNIX System Services (EN)
Following an introduction to UNIX in the context of z/OS, including an overview of Unix System Services (USS) and the POSIX interface standard, this module provides a comprehensive understanding of USS functions, management, and practical application.
Next start date
On request
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
English
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
Basic experience with z/OS is required
DB2 Basics for Admins (EN)
This module provides a basic understanding of the DB2 for z/OS subsystem and is designed for DB2 administrators.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
English
Target group
Developer, Administrator
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of Mainframe architecture; TSO, ISPF, JCL, and SDSF
IBM Message Queuing (MQ) Basic (DE)
The concept of message queuing enables programs to communicate over a network of various hardware and software components. IBM MQ provides a communication layer capable of transmitting any data type as a message, without requiring a direct connection between the programs for data exchange.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required.
DB2 Performance for Administrators (DE)
The goal of this module is to familiarize participants with performance aspects in a DB2 environment.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer, Administrator
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Mainframe Architecture, Working with TSO / ISPF / JCL and SDSF
DB2 Bundle – IBM's relational database management system (DE)
This course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for administering DB2 for z/OS, including modern SQL and performance optimization in the DB2 environment.
Next start date
On request
Duration
18 weeks
Learning effort
180 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator, Developer
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Mainframe Architecture, Working with TSO / ISPF / JCL and SDSF
z/OS Performance Management Professional (DE)
This specialization module first covers the fundamentals and then builds on them to provide in-depth knowledge of performance management in a z/OS environment using the Workload Manager (WLM) and monitoring with RMF and other tools.
Next start date
On request
Duration
3 months
Learning effort
120 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator
Prerequisites
Several years of experience working with z/OS and its subsystems.
Application Development with COBOL, DB2, and CICS (DE)
Participants will learn the basics of COBOL, including its basic structure, variables, literals, and constants. They will master the use of selection and iteration statements, become proficient in working with files and advanced declarations, and be able to use COBOL to access and process data in DB2 databases for z/OS.
Next start date
On request
Duration
12 weeks
Learning effort
120 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
Experience with TSO/ISPF, JCL, and basic SQL
DB2 - Administration (DE)
This training module provides administrators with in-depth knowledge of DB2.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator, Developer
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Mainframe Architecture, Working with TSO / ISPF / JCL and SDSF
Mainframe DevOps with Open Source Tools (EN)
This course bridges traditional Mainframe environments with modern tools and processes. Each phase of the DevOps lifecycle serves as a standalone instructional unit designed to introduce Mainframe concepts and modern tools, while building technical proficiency through the application of DevOps principles. The goal is to develop conceptual understanding and practical skills for implementing hybrid Mainframe modernization projects.
Next start date
On request
Duration
5 Weeks
Learning effort
50 Hours
Language
English
Target group
Operator, Developer
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
Unix System Services (DE)
Following an introduction to UNIX as it relates to z/OS, an overview of Unix System Services (USS), and the interface standard (POSIX), this module provides a comprehensive overview of USS functions, their management, and practical use of USS.
Next start date
On request
Duration
6 weeks
Learning effort
60 hours
Language
German
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required.
IBM Mainframe Assembler Basics (EN)
This module introduces the basics of the IBM Assembler programming language. Participants will learn how to write and use simple programs and how to work with macros, which are particularly useful during the installation and maintenance of certain products.
Next start date
On request
Duration
8 weeks
Learning effort
80 hours
Language
English
Target group
Administrator, Developer
Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic logic for procedural programming, as well as experience with TSO/ISPF, JCL, and SDSF
Java Programming Basics (DE)
The goal of this module is to teach participants the Java programming language. It is specifically designed for developers working on Mainframes. We have particular expertise in training COBOL developers, as our instructors are proficient in both Java and COBOL.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the basic principles of programming and algorithms.
Java Programming in Jakarta (DE)
The goal of this module is to teach participants server-side Java. It originally ran on Java Enterprise Edition, but since 2018 it has been running on Jakarta.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the basic principles of programming and algorithms.
Parallel Sysplex Planning & Implementation (DE)
This specialization module provides a comprehensive overview of how to set up a Basic Sysplex and a Parallel Sysplex. It consists of two parts.
Next start date
On request
Duration
12 weeks
Learning effort
120 hours
Language
German
Prerequisites
Strong system knowledge
Java on IBM Z (DE)
The goal of this module is to teach participants about the capabilities of Java on the IBM Mainframe.
Next start date
On request
Duration
3 weeks
Learning effort
30 hours
Language
German
Target group
Developer
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required
IBM z/OS Connectivity (DE)
This module shows participants how an IBM Z Mainframe running z/OS can be connected to the outside world. It also explains the configurations of the various technologies and interfaces in the z/OS Communications Server.
Next start date
On request
Duration
4 weeks
Learning effort
40 hours
Language
German
Target group
Administrator, Operator
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Mainframe architecture, including TSO, ISPF, JCL, and SDSF
z/OS Communication Server (EN)
The goal of this module is to introduce participants to the fundamentals of network architectures in a Mainframe z/OS environment.
Next start date
On request
Duration
2 weeks
Learning effort
20 hours
Language
English
Target group
Administrator, Operator
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Mainframe architecture, TSO/ISPF, JCL, and SDSF