GMCSTARS is an agent that can be installed on IBM OS/390 and z/OS systems to send selected MVS operator messages to an external management application such as Global Maintech's Virtual Command Center, VCC.

IBM OS/390 and z/OS operating systems can sometimes generate thousands of messages a minute. Most of these are not of immediate interest to operations staff. GMCSTARS takes a heuristic approach and by default sends only messages that are flagged by the operating system and applications as of critical interest to management applications.

An easy to use filter facility is provided to customize how GMCSTARS deals with messages. Using this facility, additional messages can be sent to the management application, while others can be excluded. Several filtering criteria can be used in this process.

GMCSTARS communicates with its management applications using the industry standard Simple Network Management Protocol, SNMP. SNMP traps are sent for each important message and when the operating system or application indicates the issue is resolved by deleting the message.