CICS/Fax

The architecture of CICS/Fax is centered around a Windows-based server application designed to manage and route output from CICS applications. The main components include the Input Queue Manager, Routing Engine, Output Processor, and Communication Modules. The Input Queue Manager receives output from CICS applications, typically in the form of print streams or data files.

The Routing Engine analyzes the output and determines the destination based on predefined rules and configurations. The Output Processor formats the data for the selected destination, which can be fax, email, or a network drive. The Communication Modules handle the actual transmission of the output using protocols like TCP/IP.

Data storage is handled by the Windows server's file system for temporary storage and configuration files. There are no external APIs. The system relies on the Windows server's security features for authentication and access control.

The network requirements include TCP/IP connectivity to the CICS host and the output destinations. Compared to other solutions, CICS/Fax offers a streamlined approach to output routing, focusing on simplicity and ease of integration with CICS applications. It provides a dedicated solution for output management without the complexity of broader integration platforms.