IBM's CICS gets into Orbix

Legacy applications will connect to the web.

IONA Technologies has launched a version of its Orbix middleware for IBM's CICS transaction monitor which it says will connect mainframe applications to the web, extending the life of legacy systems

Companies can also use the Orbix object request broker (Orb) to integrate CICS-based S/390 mainframe applications with their in-house systems. Orbix is based on the Corba technology broker standard and allows developers to 'extend the reliability of CICS applications onto the Internet', said Mary Ryan, Iona product manager for S/390.

The Orb runs inside the CICS transaction monitor and provides integration between applications on mainframe, Unix, Windows and Java platforms.

This allows CICS applications to act as Corba servers and clients.

CICS connectivity will help extend the life of mainframe applications, according to Ovum analyst Gary Barnett. 'Most CICS applications are written in Cobol and it is not that easy to re-use their functionality,' he said.

Inprise and BEA have rival CICS-connected products. IBM has yet to release its Component Broker middleware product for the S/390 - although it is available on Windows NT and Unix.

Yefim Natis, GartnerGroup analyst, said Iona's software has the 'distinction of being Corba-based', unlike currently shipping rival products.

Orbix for CICS will be available in June.