AS400 Administrator (Finastra Equation Core Banking)

Title: AS400 Administrator (Finastra Equation Core Banking)

Location: Chennai

Duration: Full Time

Equation core banking application

This role supports mission-critical banking services, ensuring accuracy, availability, and regulatory compliance across all banking environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Core Banking (Finastra Equation) Operations

Daily Equation Operations

• Manage

  Equation EOD/SOD (End-of-Day / Start-of-Day)

  job streams.
• Ensure all

  EOD stages (C20, C30, C50, C80, etc.)

  run smoothly and complete successfully.
• Monitor Equation batch processes and resolve failures promptly.
• Clear

  transaction locks

  ,

  user session locks

  , and hung processes.
• Maintain Equation libraries such as

  EQ, MS, FFEQ

  , parameter libraries, and control files.
• Fix data stuck in Equation

  interface queues

  or suspended tasks.
• Monitor and troubleshoot:
• MQ queues
• IFS folder-based interface files
• Payment/ISO8583 channels
• SWIFT, AML, GL interfaces
• Ensure smooth processing of inbound/outbound files (FTP/SFTP/MQ/ISO).

2. IBM i (AS/400) System Administration

Daily AS400 Operations

• Manage IBM i (OS/400 / i5/OS)

  daily operations

  across

  all LPARs

  .
• Perform

  system startup/shutdown

  , IPL planning, and execution.
• Monitor

  QSYSOPR

  , system logs, job logs, and enterprise console alerts.
• Perform

  daily health checks

  : CPU, ASP, memory pools, job queues, subsystem health.

Work Management

• Manage job queues, subsystems, job descriptions, routing entries.
• Tune work management:
• Job priority
• Memory pools and activity levels
• Subsystem optimization
• Identify long-running, looping, or runaway jobs.

Performance Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Monitor via:
• WRKSYSSTS
• WRKACTJOB
• WRKDSKSTS
• WRKSYSACT
• IBM Navigator for i
• Tune Equation report queries for performance.
• Analyze CPU spikes, disk I/O, locks, record contention.

3. Security & Access Management

User & Authority Management

• Create/manage user profiles, group profiles, role-based access.
• Manage object-level authorities for libraries, files, programs.
• Apply Equation-required security controls:
• Menu access
• Function restrictions
• Branch-level permissions
• Maintain MFA/password controls (if applicable).

Audit & Compliance

• Monitor

  QAUDJRN

  , security logs, and breach alerts.
• Support PCI-DSS, ISO27001, and local regulatory audits.
• Maintain access control evidence, system integrity records, and DR readiness validation.

4. Backup & Recovery (BRMS) / High Availability (HA/DR)

Backup Operations

• Manage daily/weekly/monthly

  BRMS backup schedules

  .
• Ensure backup completeness and handle failures.
• Perform

  object/library/IFS restores

  when required.
• Regularly test recovery procedures.

HA/DR Maintenance

• Maintain and validate replication using:
• Mimix
• iTera
• PowerHA SystemMirror
• Monitor replication lag, journal receivers, and HA alerts.

5. Patch Management & Deployment Activities

PTFs & Upgrades

• Apply IBM i OS:
• Cumulative PTFs
• Group PTFs
• Security PTFs
• Apply Equation:
• PTFs
• Mandatory patches
• Service packs & hotfixes
• Validate post-deployment functionality with Equation teams.

Change & Release Management

• Prepare deployment plans, rollback procedures, and validation checklists.
• Follow ITIL processes for Change, Release, and Incident Management.
• Support internal/external audit requirements during deployments.

6. Storage, Disk & Database Management

ASP / Disk Pool Management

• Monitor CPU, disk, ASP utilization and thresholds.
• Manage disk pools, expansions (R610/R710), and alerts.
• Clean up:
• Temporary libraries
• Old logs
• Large output queues

DB2 for i / File Maintenance

• Create and maintain logical/physical files.
• Monitor DB2 journals and logs.
• Fix record-level issues, locks, and damaged objects.
• Run SQL scripts, data extracts, and queries.
• Perform file reorganizations (RGZPFM) and REORG tuning.
• Optimize database performance for banking workloads.

7. Automation & Scripting

CL & Scripting

• Develop and maintain CL programs for automation.
• Maintain scripts for Equation EOD routines, reporting, and API tasks.
• Automate repetitive system admin tasks using:
• WRKJOBSCDE
• Robot Scheduler
• Halcyon
• Custom CL automation

8. Multi-Environment Lifecycle Support (DEV / TEST / UAT / PRE-PROD / PROD)

Environment Management

• Manage all LPARs across the SDLC.
• Refresh test/UAT environments using scrubbed production data.
• Support Equation releases, module deployments, and new interfaces.
• Coordinate with Finastra for:
• Product issues
• Upgrades
• Patches
• Customizations

9. Incident, Root Cause Analysis & Business Support

Operations Support

• Provide L1L3 support for Equation and IBM i issues.
• Handle incidents raised by business units and IT operations.
• Perform detailed RCA for platform-level faults.
• Ensure minimal downtime and quick recovery.

10. Monitoring & Observability

Monitoring Tools

• Configure and maintain monitoring for:
• CPU
• Memory
• Job queues
• Disk usage
• ASP levels
• Backup failures
• Equation batch failures
• Tools include:
• IBM Navigator for i
• Halcyon
• Robot Console
• NewRelic / Datadog (if integrated)

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Deep experience with

  IBM i (AS/400)

  administration.
• Hands-on experience with

  Finastra Equation

  in a banking environment.
• Strong CL, SQL, job control, journaling, backup/restore skills.
• Experience with HA/DR solutions (Mimix/iTera/PowerHA).
• Strong troubleshooting in AS400 job queues, logs, subsystems, and performance tools.

Professional Skills

• Ability to follow strict SOPs and banking controls.
• Excellent communication with operations, business, and vendor teams.