Object access method
| Company type | Access method |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Data storage and access for large-scale files in z/OS |
| Parent | IBM |
Object access method (OAM) represents an access method utilized in z/OS environments, specifically engineered to handle extensive collections of large-scale files, including images. Distinctive characteristics that set OAM apart from VSAM are as follows:
- OAM datasets do not possess an inherent record format and are accessed as continuous binary streams.
- Instead of cataloging individual datasets, these files are stored within OAM collections, with only the collection itself being cataloged. This strategy mitigates catalog congestion caused by high file quantities, such as those found in image archives.
OAM is integrated with IBM Db2, frequently employed to store medical imaging within Db2 databases running on z/OS.
History
Originating in the 1980s as a prototype solution for an insurance firm aiming to replace microfiche, OAM initially supported both optical media and magnetic disk storage. Magnetic tape capabilities were incorporated during the 1990s, and by 2011, the system was enhanced to support object storage within z/OS Unix file systems—specifically zFS or NFS.
During the 1990s, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office utilized OAM to facilitate the storage of patent documents within their automated infrastructure.