IBM’s Workload License Charges (WLC) when used with the Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT) provides IT with a method to disconnect the IBM Monthly License Charges (MLC) and IBM System z One Time Charges (zOTC) from the installed capacity. Before System z Sub-Capacity software pricing the increments of software charges was directly related to the increment of capacity being added or removed. With Sub-Capacity pricing the increment is now one MSU; the software charges associated with one additional or one less MSU can be determined.
With this information alternative performance and tuning strategies can have a financial value associated with them. An LPAR may have a charge per MSU of $300. Now when recommending that an LPAR’s Defined Capacity be lowered by 10 MSUs the performance analyst can discuss all the technical implications and the $3,000 savings due to the change. If a new workload is being added and the site has a choice of LPARs that meet the requirements of the workload the software charge per MSU can help determine which LPAR to use for the workload.