What does SYSB-II do?
SYSB-II allows batch programs to access CICS Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) files while they are actively being used by CICS. This eliminates the need to shut down CICS to perform batch processing, reducing downtime and improving data availability.
Is this a system, application, or tool?
SYSB-II is a middleware solution that sits between batch applications and CICS, facilitating data access and sharing. It provides a mechanism for batch jobs to read and update VSAM files without interfering with CICS operations.
What types of organizations use this?
Organizations that rely heavily on CICS for online transaction processing and also need to perform batch updates to the same VSAM files are ideal candidates for SYSB-II. These organizations are often in industries such as banking, insurance, and retail.
When should we consider SYSB-II?
A company should consider SYSB-II when they experience frequent downtime of CICS files due to batch processing requirements, or when they need to improve the availability of their CICS data for reporting and analysis.
What are the alternatives to SYSB-II?
Alternatives to SYSB-II include other VSAM sharing products like V-Share and DFSMStvs. Some organizations might also consider application program changes to avoid file contention, but this can be a more complex and time-consuming approach.