IBM Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 Provides a Web Client for Your Users
IBM United States Software Announcement 203-057February 25, 2003
(Corrected on October 18, 2004)
The Key prerequisites and Technical information section have been updated.
(Corrected on March 5, 2003)
Changes were made in the Key Prerequisites and Software Requirements sections.
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| At a glance |
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3:
- Includes the previously available Document Composition feature in the V3R3 base product
- Enhances the administrator interface with additional functions
- Continues to allow users to create documents based on pre-defined templates, text, and data.
The new Document Connect for ASF feature:
- Allows users to generate these same documents from a Web client
- Creates an easier to learn and use environment
- Allows authorized users to update text and formatting options more easily
- Supports a mixture of 3270 and Web client users, allowing you to move users at your own pace
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Protects your investment by:
- Leaving the administrator-defined resources for document composition unchanged
- Continuing to support existing business processes
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| Overview |
Application Support Facility (ASF) allows users to create documents based on pre-defined templates, text, and data. Customers using the Document Composition feature of ASF V3R2 define the document layout and formatting using IBM Document Composition Facility.
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 offers improved document creation functions to V3R2 customers. This new release combines the V3R2 base function with its Document Composition feature and provides enhancements for administrators.
Additionally, the new Document Connect for Application Support Facility feature (Document Connect for ASF) provides a Web client for users of the document composition function. This allows you to move some or all of your users off a 3270 user interface and onto an easier to use solution.
For your Application Support Facility administrators, the resources for document composition remain unchanged, thus protecting your investment.
Together, ASF for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF dramatically improve the user experience while continuing to use the back-end solution you have today.
For more information, visit:
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| Key prerequisites |
ASF for z/OS V3R3 requires:
- WebSphere Application Server on z/OS, Windows, or AIX
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One of the following for connectivity between WebSphere Application
Server and Application Support Facility for z/OS:
- MQSeries or WebSphere MQ
- IMS Connect
- CICS Transaction Gateway
Document Connect for ASF requires the following additional products:
- WebSphere® Application Server for OS/390 V3.5, or WebSphere Application Server for z/OS and OS/390 V4.0.1
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One of the following for connectivity between WebSphere Application
Server and Application Support Facility for z/OS:
- MQSeries® for OS/390 (5655-F10) V5R2 or WebSphere MQ for z/OS (5655-F10) V5.3
- IMS Connect for OS/390 (5655-E51) V1R1 or IMS Connect for z/OS (5655-E51) V1R2
- CICS Transaction Gateway V4 for S/390 (29P4342), or CICS Transaction Gateway (D5D8LLL or D5D8MLL) V5
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| Planned Availability Date |
March 28, 2003
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| Description |
Application Support Facility (ASF) V3R2 allows users to create documents based on pre-defined templates, text, and data. When using the Document Composition feature, customers define the document layout and formatting using IBM Document Composition Facility. When using the Document Writing feature, customers define the document layout and formatting using IBM DisplayWrite®/370. With ASF V3R2, all administrator and user interfaces were 3270-based.
ASF for z/OS V3R3 now includes the Document Composition feature as part of the base product. In previous releases, this was a separately orderable and separately priced feature. With V3R3, it is included in the base product.
Enhancements also have been made to the administrator functions and a new feature, Document Connect for ASF, has been added.
ASF for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF support both the CICS and IMS environment in OS/390 and z/OS.
Administrator Enhancements in V3R3
The following administrator enhancements are included in ASF V3R3:
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When using DB2® as a database platform for ASF for z/OS, an administrator can request
cross-reference lists for the General Information Library (GIL) online. SQL knowledge is no longer
required. More specifically, the administrator can request a list of:
- Menu items containing a specific GIL item
- Information items containing a specific text string
- Document-type descriptions (LTDs) containing a specific standard paragraph item
- Standard paragraphs containing a specific text string
- Standard paragraphs containing a specific parameter in their parameter list
- Application-type descriptions (ATDs) containing a specific parameter in their parameter list
- Administrators can use a batch utility to search the GIL database for items containing a specific text string. The search scope can be limited by various search criteria, such as generic item name, owner, item type, date of last modification, and so on.
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For customers who use DB2 as the Application Support Facility database platform and who have
customized Application Support Facility to perform version and release control, the administrator
can now:
- Repair errors in old versions of GIL items
- Reactivate old versions of GIL items
- Use an old version of a GIL item as a model when creating a new item
Document Connect for ASF
Users can now use a Web client provided with Document Connect for ASF to generate the same documents previously generated using the 3270 interface. This provides the following benefits:
- By providing a Graphical User Interface that resembles other Web-based applications, the document generation application is easier to learn for new users, and easier to use for existing users.
- Authorized users can add, modify, or delete text, and control formatting options more easily, without in-depth knowledge of Document Composition Facility.
With the new Document Connect for ASF feature your users can use a Web client to:
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Perform the following document composition functions:
- Menu selection
- Presentation and modification of structure and contents of documents
- Paragraph selection
- Parameter prompting
- Finalize the composition
- Modify the contents of paragraphs using advanced text editing tools, including spellcheck, layout definitions, and find/replace
- Search for paragraphs to include in the document
- Select and insert parameters (data references) to be resolved in the formatted document
- Spellcheck any changes to the document
- Preview the document at any time to verify changes, such as structure, paragraph contents, and parameter values
To ease the transition to a Web client for your users, ASF for z/OS V3R3 supports a mixture of 3270 and Web client users, allowing you to move users at your own pace.
Because the actual document templates and paragraph definitions remain unchanged in ASF for z/OS V3R3, your business can continue to take advantage of the many benefits of your existing document production system, including:
- Generating business correspondence efficiently and cost-effectively
- Supporting a corporate identity through consistent documentation style
- Improved accuracy, quality, and consistency of documents
- Shortened turn-around time for document production
- Adherence to your corporate or legal standards
Many of your business processes are also unchanged. Once a document has been generated with the Web client, and submitted for processing/printing, all document formatting and post-processing can be done the same way they were done with ASF V3R2. With ASF for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF, you can provide an easy-to-use interface without compromising your existing business controls and processes.
Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act
ASF for z/OS V3R3 is capable as of March 28, 2003, when used in accordance with IBM's
associated documentation, of satisfying the applicable requirements of Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act, provided that any assistive technology used with the product properly
interoperates with it.
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| Product positioning |
ASF for z/OS V3R3 is the follow-on solution for V3R2 customers using the Document Composition feature. By providing a Web client for the existing document composition solution, ASF for z/OS V3R3 and its new Document Connect for ASF feature allow you to move some or all of your users off a 3270 user interface and onto an easier to use Web client solution.
For customers using the Document Writing feature of V3R2 who want to provide their users with a Web browser or Lotus Notes® client interface, IBM offers Document Connect for Lotus Notes and Lotus® Domino on a variety of platforms. More information can be found at
and in the following announcement letters:
- Document Connect for Lotus Notes for Multiplatforms: Software Announcement 201-171 , dated June 19, 2001.
- Document Connect for Lotus Domino for Multiplatforms: Software Announcement 201-171 , dated June 19, 2001.
- Document Connect for Lotus Domino for iSeries: Software Announcement 201-352 , dated December 4, 2001.
- Document Connect for Lotus Domino for z/OS: Software Announcement 201-172 , dated June 19, 2001.
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| Hardware and Software Support Services |
SmoothStart/Installation Services
IBM SmoothStart and Installation Services are not provided.
Trademarks
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| Technical information |
Specified operating environment
Hardware requirements
Application Support Facility (ASF) for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF will operate on any hardware that supports OS/390® V2 R8, or later, or z/OS, and the prerequisite software.
If you are running Document Connect for ASF on WebSphere® Application Server (WAS) for Windows® or AIX this server will operate on any hardware that supports the prerequisite software, including the installed release of WAS.
Users running the Web client for Document Connect for ASF require, at minimum, the following:
- 450 Mhz processor
- 256 MB RAM
- 50 MB free disk space
Software requirements
All prerequisites and corequisites for these products apply.
The products listed here are supported only while service is available for those products.
ASF for z/OS V3R3 requires the following:
- z/OS (5694-A01) R1, or later, including Language Environment®
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One of the following:
- IMS (5655-B01) V7, IMS (5655-C56) V8, IMS (5655-J38) V9
- CICS® Transaction Server for OS/390 (5655-147) V1R3
- CICS Transaction Server for z/OS (5697-E93) V2R1 or later
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Document Composition Facility (5748-XX9) V1R4 with at least the following PTFs installed:
- PTF UN15120 (APAR PN12161)
- PTF UN58443 (APAR PN27883 and APAR PN39828)
- PTF UN79261 (APAR PN71567)
- PTF UN87763 (APAR PN76775)
- PTF UN89989 (APAR PN83692)
In addition, the following products are required to use specific functions of Application Support Facility for z/OS:
- To use the continuous formatting, release control, and versioning functions, or to create cross-reference listings, DB2® UDB Server for OS/390 Version 6 (5645-DB2) or DB2 UDB Server for z/OS and OS/390 Version 7 (5675-DB2) or DB2 UDB for z/OS Version 8 (5625-DB2) is required.
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To modify Application Support Facility for z/OS exits written in PL/I, one of the following is
required:
- IBM PL/I for MVS and VM (5688-235) R1.1
- IBM Enterprise PL/I for z/OS and OS/390 (5655-H31) V3R2 or V3R3
Document Connect for ASF requires the following additional software:
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One of the following:
- WebSphere Application Server for z/OS and OS/390 (5655-F31) V4.0.1, or WebSphere Application Server for z/OS V5.1 (5655-I35)
- WebSphere Application Server V5.1, or later, on AIX or Windows
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One of the following for connectivity between WebSphere Application Server and ASF for z/OS V3R3:
- WebSphere MQ for z/OS (5655-F10) V5.3
- MQSeries for Windows NT and Windows 2000 V5.2
- WebSphere MQ V5.3, or later on Windows or AIX
- IMS Connect for z/OS (5655-E51) V1R2
- IMS Connect for z/OS V2 R1 (5655-K52), or later
- CICS Transaction Gateway V5 for S/390 (D5D8LLL or D5D8MLL)
- CICS Transaction Gateway V5.1 on Windows or AIX
When using Document Connect for ASF, users require a workstation with:
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One of the following:
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or later
- Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0
- Microsoft XML 3.0 and Microsoft XML 4.0
- Microsoft Java Virtual Machine 5.0
In addition, the following products are required to use specific functions of Document Connect for ASF:
- To preview documents in AFP format, an AFP viewer plugin for Internet Explorer is required. The IBM AFP Viewer plugin is delivered with the product.
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To preview documents in PDF format:
- A solution for converting AFP to PDF on the server is required. IBM Infoprint® Server Transforms for OS/390 (5697-F51) is one example for customers running WebSphere on z/OS. The IBM AFP2Web Transform Services Offering is an example for customers running WebSphere on Windows or AIX.
- A PDF viewer plugin for Internet Explorer must be installed on each user's workstation. Adobe Acrobat Reader is one example.
- To archive the final documents produced by users, an archive solution is required. The IBM Content Manager family of products is one example.
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To invoke the Web client from within a 3270 emulator session, one of the following is required:
- IBM Personal Communications V4.3, or later
- Attachmate Version 6.4, or later
- WRQ Reflection for IBM Version 8, or later
Compatibility: Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 is upwardly compatible with the combined solution of Application Support Facility V3R2 and its Document Composition feature.
Planning information
Installability: Migration of product databases will be required when installing ASF for z/OS V3R3. This migration will be required for all customers moving to ASF for z/OS V3R3, even if Document Connect for ASF is not installed. Tools will be provided with the product to perform this migration.
Packaging: ASF for z/OS V3R3 is delivered on one SMP/E installable tape. This base product includes the function previously available in the V3R2 base product and the V3R2 Document Composition feature. A Program Directory and one copy of the Licensed Program Specifications is also included in the package. All other publications are provided in softcopy format on the product tape.
The separately-priced Document Connect for ASF feature contains the following:
- One SMP/E installable tape containing the product code for a z/OS production environment. Installation instructions are documented in the Application Support Facility for z/OS Program Directory.
- One CD-ROM containing the product code for a Windows and AIX environment.
The remaining information for administering and using Document Connect for ASF is contained in the ASF for z/OS publications.
System integrity
IBM will accept APARs where the installation of this licensed program causes an exposure to the system integrity of OS/390 or z/OS.
This program is intended to run unauthorized.
OS/390 and z/OS System Integrity applies: Yes
Security, auditability, and control
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF use the security and
auditability features of the host hardware and operating system software. The customer is
responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative
procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.
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| Ordering information |
Current Licensees
Current licensees of ASF V3R2 and its Document Composition feature must order this release via MES. Ordering instructions are scheduled to be mailed from
IBM Software Delivery and Fulfillment to all current licensees by April 4, 2003.
For those customers using ASF V3R2 with the Document Writing feature or for compatibility with OfficeVision/MVS, you can continue to order Application Support Facility V3R2.
Those customers who are using ASF V3R2 with the Document Composition feature, and intend to continue using only the 3270 interface, are encouraged to move to ASF for z/OS V3R3. This allows you to receive the latest service integrated into the product and ready your environment for a later implementation of the new function in Document Connect for ASF. ASF for z/OS V3R3 (without the Document Connect for ASF feature) provides the same level of code and functionality as ASF V3R2 with the Document Composition feature. In addition, all V3R2 fixes that were available before January 1, 2003, have been incorporated in the V3R3 code.
Those customers who are using ASF V3R2 with the Document Composition feature, and intend to move to Web clients must order ASF for z/OS V3R3 and Document Connect for ASF.
Once ASF for z/OS V3R3 is ordered and installed, you should discontinue your licenses/feature numbers for ASF V3R2 Base and Document Composition feature.
Withdrawal of Document Composition Feature of Application Support Facility V3R2
The Document Composition feature of ASF V3R2 is withdrawn effective June 28, 2003. This includes the following feature numbers:
Feature Number Feature
Type Number Description
Media Features 5706 4mm DAT Cartridge
6001 9/6250 Tape
6002 3480 Tape
New Licensees
Orders for new licenses of ASF for z/OS V3R3 can be placed now.
Registered customers can access IBMLink for Ordering Information and Charges.
Shipment for Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 will not occur before availability date.
- Unless a later date is specified, orders for ASF for z/OS V3R3 entered before the planned availability date will be assigned a schedule date of one week following availability.
- Orders entered after the planned availability date will be assigned a schedule date for the week following order entry.
ASF V3R2 and its Document Writing feature remain available. The Document Composition feature of ASF V3R2 is withdrawn effective June 28, 2003.
New users of Application Support Facility for z/OS should specify:
Type Model
5655 002
Entry Support License (ESL): To order an ESL license, specify the program number, feature number 9001 for asset registration, and the applicable ESL one-time charge (OTC) feature number. Also specify the feature number of the desired distribution medium.
ESL
Program OTC
Number/Description Feature Number
5655-002 Application Support 4047
Facility for z/OS V3R3
5655-002 Document Connect 4074
for ASF
ESL machines can be determined by referring to the IBM Entry End User/390 Attachment (Z125-4379).
Parallel Sysplex® License Charge (PSLC) Basic License: To order a basic license, specify the program number and feature number 9001 for asset registration. Specify the PSLC Base feature. If applicable, specify the PSLC Level A, PSLC Level B, PSLC Level C, and PSLC Level D features and quantities.
If there is more than one program copy in a Parallel Sysplex, the charge for all copies is associated to one license by specifying the applicable PSLC feature numbers and quantity represented by the sum of the Service Units in Millions (MSUs) in your Parallel Sysplex. For all other program copies, specify the PSLC No-Charge (NC) Identifier feature on the licenses.
Also, specify the feature number of the desired distribution medium.
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3
PSLC PSLC Basic License
Machine Feature MLC Feature
MSU Capacity Number Description
1 4033 PSLC Base, 1 MSU
2 4034 PSLC Base, 2 MSUs
3 4035 PSLC Base, 3 MSUs
4 -- 45 4036 PSLC Level A, 1 MSU
4037 PSLC Level A, 42 MSUs
46 -- 175 4038 PSLC Level B, 1 MSU
4039 PSLC Level B, 10 MSUs
4040 PSLC Level B, 50 MSUs
176 -- 315 4041 PSLC Level C, 1 MSU
4042 PSLC Level C, 10 MSUs
4043 PSLC Level C, 50 MSUs
316 or more 4044 PSLC Level D, 1 MSU
4045 PSLC Level D, 50 MSUs
Not Applicable 4046 PSLC NC Identifier
Document Connect for ASF
PSLC PSLC Basic License
Machine Feature MLC Feature
MSU Capacity Number Description
1 4060 PSLC Base, 1 MSU
2 4061 PSLC Base, 2 MSUs
3 4062 PSLC Base, 3 MSUs
4 -- 45 4063 PSLC Level A, 1 MSU
4064 PSLC Level A, 42 MSUs
46 -- 175 4065 PSLC Level B, 1 MSU
4066 PSLC Level B, 10 MSUs
4067 PSLC Level B, 50 MSUs
176 -- 315 4068 PSLC Level C, 1 MSU
4069 PSLC Level C, 10 MSUs
4070 PSLC Level C, 50 MSUs
316 or more 4071 PSLC Level D, 1 MSU
4072 PSLC Level D, 50 MSUs
Not Applicable 4073 PSLC NC Identifier
Example 1: To order Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 for a single machine with 11 MSUs, the PSLC features would be:
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4035 quantity 1
4036 quantity 8
Example 2: To order Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 and the Document Connect for ASF feature for two machines in a Parallel Sysplex, which have an aggregation of 60 MSUs, the PSLC features would be:
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PSLC chargeable license #1:
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4035 quantity 1
4037 quantity 1
4038 quantity 5
4039 quantity 1
4062 quantity 1
4064 quantity 1
4065 quantity 5
4066 quantity 1 -
PSLC no-charge license #2:
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4046 quantity 1
4073 quantity 1
Workload License Charge (WLC) Basic License: To order a basic license, specify the program number, feature number 9001 for asset registration, and the Flat Workload Charge feature number from the table below.
Also, specify the feature number of the desired distribution medium.
Flat Workload License Charge Features
FWLC FWLC
Feature Feature
Number Description
4051 WLC Application Support Facility
for z/OS V3R3
4078 WLC Document Connect for ASF
Growth Opportunity License Charge (GOLC): To order a GOLC software, specify the program number, feature number 9001 for asset registration, and the GOLC monthly charge feature number from the table below.
Also, specify the feature number for the desired distribution medium.
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3
GOLC
GOLC Feature
Category Number
H30 4048
H50 4049
H70 4050
Document Connect for ASF
GOLC
GOLC Feature
Category Number
H30 4075
H50 4076
H70 4077
zSeries Entry License Charge (zELC): To order zELC software, specify the program number, feature number 9001 for asset registration, and the zELC monthly charge feature number from the table below.
Also, specify the feature number for the desired distribution medium.
Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3
zELC
Feature
z800 Models Number
0A1 -- 1 engine 4052
0B1 -- 1 engine 4053
0C1 -- 1 engine 4054
0E1 -- 1 engine 0493
001 -- 1 engine 4055
0A2 -- 2 engines 4056
0X2 -- 2 engines 0495
002 -- 2 engines 4057
003 -- 3 engines 4058
004 -- 4 engines 4059
Document Connect for ASF
zELC
Feature
z800 Models Number
0A1 -- 1 engine 4079
0B1 -- 1 engine 4080
0C1 -- 1 engine 4081
0E1 -- 1 engine 0494
001 -- 1 engine 4082
0A2 -- 2 engines 4083
0X2 -- 2 engines 0496
002 -- 2 engines 4084
003 -- 3 engines 4085
004 -- 4 engines 4086
Basic Machine-Readable Material
Feature Distribution
Environment Number Medium
Application Support Facility 5832 3480 Tape
for z/OS V3R3
Document Connect for ASF 5842 3480 Tape
Softcopy Publications on 7004 CD-ROM
IBM Transaction Processing
and Data Collection Kit
Customization Options: Select the appropriate feature numbers to customize your order to specify the delivery options desired. These features can be specified on the initial or MES orders.
Example: If publications are not desired for the initial order, specify feature number 3470 to ship media only. For future updates, specify feature number 3480 to ship media updates only. If, in the future, publication updates are required, order an MES to remove feature number 3480; then, the publications will ship with the next release of the program.
Feature
Description Number
Initial Shipments
Serial Number Only (suppresses shipment 3444
of media and documentation)
Ship Media Only (suppresses initial 3470
shipment of documentation)
Ship Documentation Only (suppresses 3471
initial shipment of media)
Satellite Electronic Delivery 3450
Update Shipments
Ship Media Updates Only (suppresses 3480
update shipment of documentation)
Ship Documentation Only (suppresses 3481
update shipment of media)
Suppress Updates (suppresses update 3482
shipment of media and documentation)
Expedite Shipments
Local IBM Office Expedite 3445
(for IBM use only)
Customer Expedite Process Charge 3446
($30 charge for each product)
Expedite shipments will be processed to receive 72-hour delivery from the time IBM Software Delivery and Fulfillment (SDF) receives the order. SDF will then ship the order via overnight air transportation.
Unlicensed Documentation: A memo, program directory, and one copy of the following publication are supplied automatically with the basic machine-readable material:
Order
Title Number
Application Support Facility GH12-6738
for z/OS Licensed Program
Specifications
Additional copies of the Licensed Program Specifications will be available for a fee at product availability. These copies may be ordered via direct order or you may contact your IBM representative.
The Application Support Facility Version 3 Release 2 publications remain available. To order publications for Application Support Facility V3R2, continue to use the publication numbers as originally announced. For details, refer to Software Announcement 296-153 , dated April 23, 1996.
Displayable Softcopy Publications: The following publications for Application Support Facility for z/OS V3R3 are offered only in displayable softcopy form.
- Application Support Facility for z/OS V3 R3 Administration Guide
- Application Support Facility for z/OS V3 R3 Application Programming Interfaces
- Application Support Facility for z/OS V3 R3 Diagnosis Guide
These displayable manuals are shipped in PDF and BOOK format and are part of the basic machine-readable material. The BOOK files are also on the Transaction Processing and Data Collection Kit, which can be ordered using feature number 7004 for this product.
These displayable manuals can be used with the BookManager® READ licensed programs or Adobe Acrobat Reader in any of the supported environments. Terms and conditions for use of the machine-readable files are shipped with the files.
Subsequent updates (technical newsletters or revisions between releases) to the publications shipped with the product will be distributed to the user of record for as long as a license for this software remains in effect. A separate publication order or subscription is not needed.
The following publications will be available in softcopy format on the product web site at general availability:
Title Language Application Support Facility English for z/OS V3 R3 Administration Guide Application Support Facility English for z/OS V3 R3 Diagnosis Guide Application Support Facility English for z/OS V3 R3 Application Programming Interfaces Application Support Facility Dutch for z/OS V3 R3 Administration Guide Application Support Facility German for z/OS V3 R3 Administration Guide Application Support Facility Spanish for z/OS V3 R3 Administration Guide
Customized Offerings
Most product media is shipped only via Customized Offerings (that is, CBPDO, ServerPac,
Systempac®). Non-customized items (CDs, diskettes, source media, media kits) will continue to be
shipped via the stand-alone product.
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| Terms and conditions |
The terms for Application Support Facility, as previously announced (Software Announcement 296-153 , dated April 23, 1996) licensed under the IBM Customer Agreement are unaffected by this announcement.
IBM Operational Support Services Support Line:
Yes
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| Prices |
Contact your IBM representative for charges information for this announcement.
Trademarks
