CICS/TS 4.1 Beta Now Available

IBM has made the beta release of CICS/TS 4.1 available at no charge. In it, we are promised the uncut version of CICS Explorer. Originally released in a SupportPac with the update options grayed out, CICS Explorer in the CICS/TS 4.1 beta is said to have all of those options available. John Knutson, IBM Marketing Manager, reports that the full CICS Explorer will be available for version 3 in a future SupportPac.

If you are interested in CICS/TS 4.1, I would encourage you to check out the free beta. And also take the poll on my site!

4/2/2009 Update: The beta software will expire on July 31, 2009.  The last beta required re-installation when the product went GA, so I presume this beta will be the same. If you can’t or do not want to install the beta, but you do want to follow what problems and questions people are encountering, visit the forum that IBM has set up for comments and feedback.

CICS Beta: The Next CICS Release after TS 3.2

It’s been well over a year since CICS/TS 3.2 was released, and IBM had stated that a new release would be coming every 18-24 months. So, something new should be in the works, right? Well, there is!

Andy Bateman, author of the whitepaper with a high level view of why the mainframe and CICS should be considered for new IT projects, recently announced that the next release of CICS was currently available as part of a closed beta program. He said that being fairly current with z/OS release was a key criteria for acceptance to the beta program.

Those interested can send an email to CICSEP@uk.ibm.com. After filling out an application and signing a non-disclosure agreement, accepted candidates will receive the latest beta code and major planned dates.

IBM has not announced what this next CICS release will be called. Speculation is that more will be announced at the next SHARE.