Case Study: Tesco reduces Christmas peak MIPS usage with Macro 4

Boosting mainframe performance to handle the Christmas peak

Tesco, a major UK retailer, needed to avoid purchasing additional mainframe hardware to handle its peak processing loads, especially during the busy Christmas period, while maintaining application service levels. The challenge involved managing a massive supply chain and preventing costly disruptions. Tesco enlisted the expertise of vendor Macro 4 and its performance management software to identify MIPS savings.

Macro 4's software, deployed with the help of a partner, enabled a detailed review of Tesco's mainframe environment. This identified inefficient code, such as a date routine run billions of times daily. The solution delivered a 10-15% reduction in MIPS consumption, allowing Tesco to avoid the cost of new hardware loans or purchases and maintain service levels during peak times. The project also embedded performance management into Tesco's development lifecycle for long-term efficiency.

Tesco

John Westnedge

IT Director