What are some common commands and their syntax?

Common commands included SEND for sending messages, RECEIVE for retrieving messages, and CALENDAR for managing appointments. Syntax examples would vary based on the specific terminal interface used, but generally involved entering commands followed by parameters, such as SEND TO(user@domain) SUBJECT(Meeting) BODY(Details). Configuration relied on CICS system definitions and OfficeVision integration settings.

What APIs and integration methods were available?

PS/CICS did not expose APIs in the modern sense (REST, SOAP). Integration was primarily achieved through the CICS environment and OfficeVision interfaces. Programming languages used for integration would have been those supported by CICS, such as COBOL and PL/I. Communication protocols were based on the underlying CICS and SNA (Systems Network Architecture) protocols.

How was PS/CICS administered?

Administration was performed through CICS system management facilities and OfficeVision administrative interfaces. User management was handled through CICS security and OfficeVision user profiles. Configuration parameters were set within CICS resource definitions and OfficeVision settings. Monitoring and logging relied on CICS monitoring and logging capabilities.

What business value did PS/CICS provide?

PS/CICS provided email and calendar functionality within the mainframe environment, improving communication and scheduling efficiency for users. It integrated with OfficeVision, offering a unified messaging experience.

How did PS/CICS improve user productivity?

PS/CICS facilitated communication and collaboration among users on the mainframe, enabling them to manage their schedules and exchange information efficiently. It streamlined workflows by integrating messaging and calendar functions.

How did PS/CICS streamline information management?

By integrating with OfficeVision, PS/CICS offered a centralized messaging and scheduling solution, reducing the need for multiple systems and improving data consistency. This integration streamlined information management.

What security features did PS/CICS offer?

PS/CICS relied on CICS security features for authentication, including user IDs and passwords managed within the CICS environment. Access control was based on CICS security profiles and resource definitions. Encryption was not a core feature of PS/CICS itself, but could be implemented through the underlying CICS and network security configurations. Audit and logging capabilities were provided through CICS system logs.

What authentication methods were supported?

Authentication was primarily based on user IDs and passwords managed within the CICS environment. Access control was enforced through CICS security profiles and resource definitions, determining user permissions.

What access control model was used?

Access control was managed through CICS security profiles and resource definitions, allowing administrators to define user permissions and restrict access to specific resources and functions within PS/CICS.

What were the key operational tasks?

Operations involved starting and stopping the CICS region where PS/CICS was running. Monitoring was performed using CICS monitoring tools. Backup and recovery procedures relied on standard mainframe backup and recovery practices for CICS and associated data stores.

How was PS/CICS monitored?

Monitoring was primarily done through CICS monitoring facilities, which provided insights into transaction performance and system health. Operators would use CICS commands to check the status of the PS/CICS application.

How was backup and recovery handled?

Backup and recovery procedures followed standard mainframe practices for CICS applications and associated data stores, including VSAM files and potentially DB2 databases. These procedures ensured data integrity and availability.

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PS/CICS

IBM Not Supported z/OS zVSE/VSEn

Vendor

IBM

Product Overview

The architecture of PS/CICS comprised several key components. The CICS Transaction Server provided the runtime environment for the PS/CICS application. The PS/CICS application itself handled email and calendar functions, including message sending and receiving, appointment management, and meeting scheduling.

The OfficeVision integration layer facilitated communication with OfficeVision for a unified messaging experience. Communication between components occurred through CICS internal mechanisms. Data storage relied on VSAM files and potentially DB2 databases, depending on the OfficeVision configuration.

Security was managed through CICS security profiles and resource definitions. Network requirements were based on SNA and CICS connectivity. The system's design was optimized for the mainframe environment, leveraging CICS transaction processing capabilities for performance and reliability.

Migration to a modern email solution requires a thorough understanding of the existing architecture and careful planning to ensure data integrity and minimal disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PS/CICS?

PS/CICS is a CICS-based email and calendar system designed for IBM mainframe environments. It integrated with OfficeVision, providing messaging and scheduling capabilities within the CICS transaction processing system.

When was PS/CICS released and when did it reach end-of-life?

PS/CICS was initially released in 1984. It was withdrawn from marketing in 1996. It is no longer supported by IBM.

What platforms does PS/CICS support?

PS/CICS was designed to run on IBM z/OS and zVSE/VSEn platforms, leveraging the CICS transaction processing environment for its functionality.

What core features did PS/CICS offer?

PS/CICS provided email and calendar features, allowing users to send and receive messages, manage appointments, and schedule meetings within the CICS environment. It integrated with OfficeVision for a unified messaging experience.

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PS/CICS

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PS/CICS?

When was PS/CICS released and when did it reach end-of-life?

What platforms does PS/CICS support?

What core features did PS/CICS offer?

What are some common commands and their syntax?

What APIs and integration methods were available?

What were the main architectural components?

How was PS/CICS administered?

What business value did PS/CICS provide?

How did PS/CICS improve user productivity?

How did PS/CICS streamline information management?

What security features did PS/CICS offer?

What authentication methods were supported?

What access control model was used?

What were the key operational tasks?

How was PS/CICS monitored?

How was backup and recovery handled?

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More from IBM

Similar Products

Help Improve This Directory

Share Your Product Experience