IBM Information Management System (IMS)

IBM Information Management System (IMS)

IBM Information Management System (IMS)

The secure, integrated application platform & database management system designed for high-performance online transaction & data processing that offers a reliable & flexible platform to host & extend the functionalities of business critical applications.

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What's new in IMS 15.6 and IMS Enterprise Suite for z/OS 3.4

By Amanda Stephens posted Fri June 13, 2025 04:38 PM

  
IBM Information Management System 15.6 and IMS Enterprise Suite for z/OS 3.4 are generally available as of June 13, 2025. 

For full details about this release, please reference Software Announcement AD25-0791

Upcoming webinar:
Join us to learn more about the latest IMS release and get a firsthand look at how we are shaping the future of IMS, one update at a time.

Register here

Overview of enhancements

IBM Information Management System 15.6

Important note regarding this release:

IBM IMS 15.6 is the first release that requires IMS managed application control blocks (ACBs) to be implemented prior to migrating to IMS 15.6. 

For any existing IMS 15 clients who want to remain on IMS 15.5 or earlier, do not apply the IMS 15.6 Release Marker PTFs. 

Please reference the RFA for more detailed information. 

Capability
Availability method
Open Transaction Manager Access (OTMA) transaction orchestration enhancement

If using, OTMA client descriptor apply APAR PH51897

If using IMS Connect apply PH57295
Improved queue manager scalability for IMS OTMA CM1 and APPC synchronous messages APAR PH51463, IMS 15.3 or later
Catalog structure change with or without an outage APAR PH18953
Catalog support of double-byte character set fields

For core, apply APAR PH53580

For UDB and Batch DDL gen support, apply APAR PH64856
Vendor data support in IMS DDL APAR PH62462
Catalog support for longer SRCH & SUBSEQ fields in support of Fast Path Secondary Index (FPSI) APAR PH18953
Java 21 z/OS support for IMS Java region, Universal drivers, and IMS Transaction Manager Resource Adapter N/A

Overview of enhancements

IBM IMS Enterprise Suite for z/OS 3.4

Capability
Availability method
IMS Explorer Aqua 3.3 support IMS Explorer 3.3.3.3 (for Aqua 3.3 support)
IMS Explorer Aqua 3.4 support IMS Explorer 3.3.3.4 (for Aqua 3.3.3.4 support)
IMS Explorer for Web IMS Explorer 3.4.0 and above

Additional announcements

IBM Z software trial for IMS

An IMS client can use a preconfigured IMS environment to try out guided scenarios that demonstrate real-world use cases. These virtual trials are offered at no cost.

Some of the scenarios available now include:

  • IMS Enterprise Suite Explorer for Development - access IMS data by issuing SQL statements and using IMS catalog.
  • IBM z/OS IMS Ansible collection - try out the automation capabilities of Ansible by issuing IMS commands.
  • Ansible sample playbooks - automate the configuration of IMS managed ACBs and catalog using Ansible.

Learn more and register for an IBM Z trial.

Remember to join our LinkedIn channel for the latest IMS news.


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