1 CICS Explorer

CICS Explorer is a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with CICS resources and services from your desktop. You can use CICS Explorer to view, edit, create, delete, and manage CICS resources, such as programs, transactions, files, queues, maps, and web services. You can also use CICS Explorer to perform tasks such as deploying applications, running commands, browsing data, and accessing documentation. CICS Explorer can connect to multiple CICS regions and systems, and integrate with other tools, such as CICS Transaction Gateway and CICS Configuration Manager.

2 CICS Transaction Server

CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) is the core component of CICS that provides the runtime environment and the services for executing CICS applications. CICS TS supports various types of applications, such as COBOL, Java, C, C++, and web services. CICS TS also provides features such as transaction management, data access, security, recovery, scalability, and performance. You can use CICS TS to automate and simplify tasks such as defining transactions, allocating resources, managing workloads, and handling errors.

3 CICS Interdependency Analyzer

CICS Interdependency Analyzer (CICS IA) is a tool that helps you analyze the relationships and dependencies among CICS resources and applications. You can use CICS IA to generate reports and diagrams that show how CICS resources are used, accessed, and affected by changes. You can also use CICS IA to identify potential problems, such as resource conflicts, deadlocks, or performance bottlenecks. CICS IA can help you automate and simplify tasks such as testing, debugging, auditing, and documenting CICS applications.

4 CICS Performance Analyzer

CICS Performance Analyzer (CICS PA) is a tool that helps you measure and improve the performance of CICS applications and systems. You can use CICS PA to collect and analyze performance data from various sources, such as CICS statistics, SMF records, or CICS trace. You can also use CICS PA to generate reports and charts that show the performance trends, patterns, and anomalies of CICS applications and systems. You can also use CICS PA to automate and simplify tasks such as tuning, troubleshooting, and optimizing CICS performance.

5 CICS Tools plug-ins for Eclipse

CICS Tools plug-ins for Eclipse are extensions that enable you to use the Eclipse IDE to develop and manage CICS applications. You can use the CICS Tools plug-ins to create, edit, compile, debug, and deploy CICS applications, as well as to access CICS resources and services. You can also use the CICS Tools plug-ins to integrate with other Eclipse-based tools, such as IBM Developer for z/OS or IBM Rational Team Concert. The CICS Tools plug-ins can help you automate and simplify tasks such as coding, testing, and collaborating on CICS applications.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?