IBM expands SOA on System z Mainframe

ARMONK: IBM announced that it has expanded its Customer Information Control System (CICS) software in order to enhance the capabilities of the System z platform as the computing hub for service oriented architecture (SOA).

By using the new capabilities of the mainframe to free up, connect and leverage information stored in applications through SOA implementations, companies can bring products to market faster, make quicker connections with global business partners, deliver better service to customers and streamline their information technology solutions.

CICS Transaction Server is a robust transactional application server designed to execute demanding mixed-language application workloads, and to enable those applications to be easily integrated with enterprise solutions. CICS system management and developer tools are a suite of tools that help leverage and transform existing CICS applications. The expanded software capabilities announced are in the three key areas of application connectivity, application reuse and service management.

"Mainframes are finding second careers as the hub for SOA," said James Stallings, general manager for IBM System z. "Because as much as 80% of the corporate data and core application functionality that will be turned into services already resides on mainframe computers, companies are increasingly integrating a services-oriented approach to software with the proven capabilities of the System z platform."

CICS Transaction Server for z/OS V3.2 provides open, standards-based connectivity, enabling CICS applications to be integrated within an SOA while maintaining the long-established CICS qualities of security, reliability, data integrity and optimal application responsiveness. These capabilities allow users to more easily share information across the organization which can result in improved productivity and customer satisfaction.

The CICS system management and developer tools have been updated to complement the new capabilities of CICS Transaction Server for z/OS V3.2. The updated CICS tools enable better monitoring and understanding of CICS applications and their performance. In addition they can help optimize IT resource usage, potentially reduce operational costs and improve user productivity.

CIOL Bureau