CICS Universal Client

CICS Universal Client V7.1 delivers simple and low-cost integration with CICS from Microsoft Windows, Linux, and UNIX® systems. It provides access from a single user workstation to the tried and trusted transactional capabilities of CICS TS and TXSeries CICS servers. CICS Universal Client communicates with CICS servers through External Call Interface (ECI), External Programming Interface (EPI), and External Security Interface (ESI). ECI helps optimize client and server operation and improve programmer flexibility by keeping business logic on the server and presentation logic on the client. EPI enables the client to programmatically interact with 3270 data-stream-based transactions. There are also 3270 emulation capabilities that enable a workstation to function as a 3270 display or printer for CICS applications. ESI enables appropriate user applications to verify that a password corresponds to an existing user ID, and allows passwords to be changed to facilitate better user ID and password management.

CICS Universal Client Version 7.1 delivers extended interoperability in the following through support for fully qualified SNA partner LU names, provides for easier configuration of SNA clients in an APPN network, simplifying the migration of TCP62 connections to Enterprise Extender for customers who continue to require APPC interconnectivity in a TCP/IP network.

The CICS Universal Client is for single users only, either for desktop application access or as a single user administrative client. It must not be installed in a server or multi-user environment. There is a restriction in the CICS Universal Client V7.1 that restricts the maximum number of concurrent tasks.

Customers wishing to deploy a server configuration must licence the CICS Transaction Gateway. CICS Transaction Gateway Version 7.1 contains a superset of the functions offered in CICS Universal Client Version 7.1, and may be used to support multi-user integration applications written in C, C++, Visual Basic, and as Component Object Model (COM) objects.

SOAP for CICS is an XML based connectivity solution that enables CICS applications to provide and request services independently of platform, environment, application language or programming model.

Unlike complex and proprietary solutions SOAP for CICS fully integrates into CICS Transaction Server, to provide simple and open standards based connectivity to a trusted and scalable environment.

SOAP for CICS is a no charge orderable feature of CICS Transaction Server that delivers significantly advanced levels of function, performance and response rates, to those provided in the Technology Preview SupportPac.

The SOAP for CICS feature is fully supported for use in a production environment and can assist organizations in the areas of:

SOAP for CICS should be considered by all IBM CICS Transaction Server customers who want to enable CICS applications to easily participate in new business opportunities involving open standards technology.

Also delivered with the SOAP for CICS no charge feature is a complimentary media pack of Rational Developer for System z, together with one Proof of Entitlement allowing full use of this product.

SOAP for CICS requires CICS Transaction Server Version 2.2 or greater, and has the same hardware requirements as the base product.

In addition, the SOAP for CICS feature requires certain PTF's to be installed.