IBM EDI Services Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.5 Supports TCP/IP Access to Information Exchange

Software Announcement
September 8, 1998
Announcement Letter Number: 298-311

Table of Contents:



At a Glance

The Expedite Base component of IBM EDI Services helps you quickly start communicating electronically with your trading partners. With the Expedite Base software, you can send and receive:

  • Free-format e-mail messages

  • Systems files

  • Purchase orders

  • Invoices

  • Other transactions formatted according to EDI standards
Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.5 supports TCP/IP leased line access to the Information Exchange component in addition to SNA leased line. 
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Overview

Expedite Base/MVS (TM) Version 4 Release 5 is enhanced to support the TCP/IP protocol to the Information Exchange component of IBM EDI Services. Expedite Base/MVS 4.5 customers now have the choice to communicate with Information Exchange using SNA or TCP/IP protocol, thereby giving them the opportunity to select the communications strategy most appropriate to their needs.

Expedite Base Programs

Expedite Base is one of the communication software components for IBM EDI Services. It allows you to send free-form files as well as EDI documents to trading partners through the IBM EDI Services Information Exchange mailbox.

Information Exchange is the mailboxing component of IBM EDI Services. You can send and retrieve information of virtually any size in electronic form from standard format EDI transactions to free-format documents. Information Exchange receives transactions and documents from trading partners on the network, routes them to the recipients' mailboxes and stores them until retrieved.

IBM EDI Services

IBM EDI Services, a managed electronic transaction service from IBM Global Services, is one of the world's EDI market share leaders in delivering electronic business documents, such as purchase orders and bills of lading, between trading partners. IBM EDI Services provides you with applications and training to transact business electronically, helping you to increase efficiency, eliminate paper waste and reduce cost. IBM EDI Services provides a solid foundation for conducting e-Commerce and building an e-business.

Contact IBM Global Services Network Services account support at 800-588-5808 to order Expedite Base programs and the TCP/IP access to Information Exchange. Orders can be placed only through IBM Global Services.



Intended Customers

IBM EDI Services customers on MVS or OS/390 (R) platform who have SNA or TCP/IP leased line access to Information Exchange.

Expedite Base is designed for customers wishing to communicate with Information Exchange in order to exchange information with their trading partners.

Expedite Base is intended for programmers who write applications that interface with Information Exchange.



Key Prerequisites

Refer to the Hardware and Software Requirements sections for a complete list.



Planned Availability Date

December 18, 1998

------------------------------

This announcement is provided for your information only. For additional information, contact your IBM representative, call 800-IBM-4YOU, or visit the IBM home page at: http://www.ibm.com



DESCRIPTION

TCP/IP Access to Information Exchange

Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.5 now supports leased line TCP/IP access via IBM Managed Data Network Services. Customers do not require SNA SDLC connection to the IBM Global Network (TM) if TCP/IP access is used. See the Technical Information section for a complete list of hardware and software requirements.

All recovery options (Session-level, Checkpoint-level, File-level, and User-initiated) are supported.

Write-to-Operator (WTO) Multi-line Messages Support

The WTO messages produced when a communication error occurs are modified to generate multi-line messages for information related to the error. Each line is prefixed by a message identifier. This makes it easier for system administrators to intercept those messages when using automatic operation.



Year 2000

Expedite Base/MVS 4.5 is Year 2000 ready, meaning that when used in accordance with its associated documentation, it is capable of correctly processing, providing, and/or receiving date data within and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, provided all other products (for example, software, hardware, and firmware) used with the product properly exchange accurate date data with it. IBM is not representing or stating that IBM EDI Services is Year 2000 ready at this time.



HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES



SmoothStart (TM)/Installation Services

IBM SmoothStart or Installation Services will not be provided for Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.5



REFERENCE INFORMATION

Refer to Software Announcement 298-291 dated September 8, 1998 (IBM EDI Services Expedite Base for Windows (TM) and Expedite Base/AIX (R) for RISC System/6000 (R) Version 4.5 Support TCP/IP Access to Information Exchange).

Trademarks 

      MVS, IBM Global Network, and SmoothStart are trademarks of
      International Business Machines Corporation in the United
      States or other countries or both.
      OS/390, AIX, and RISC System/6000 are registered trademarks of
      International Business Machines Corporation in the United
      States or other countries or both.
      Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
      Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or
      service marks of others.



SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION



TECHNICAL INFORMATION



Specified Operating Environment

Hardware Requirements: The minimum configuration to operate Expedite Base/MVS (TM) Version 4.5 consists of:

  • An IBM System/370 (TM) or System/390 (R) processor

  • 3745 or equivalent communication controller for SNA connection

  • A 2 MB region to execute

  • 5 MB of direct access storage (DASD) for the executable local modules, error message files, and trace message files

  • DASD for personal command, response, control and data files. The actual amount of space required depends on the user's application.

  • Consult with IBM Global Services Network Services representative for the TCP/IP hardware required for the leased line connection.
Software Requirements
  • MVS/ESA (TM) Version 5 (5655-068 or 5655-069) or OS/390 (R) Version 2 Release 6 (5647-A01)

  • VTAM (R) Version 4 Release 3 (5695-117) for SNA connection or IBM TCP/IP for MVS Version 3 Release 4 (5655-HAL) for TCP/IP connection



Planning Information

Customer Responsibilities: Customers must install Expedite Base 4.5 according to the instructions in the Programming Guide and Program Directory shipped with the program.

TCP/IP communication to Information Exchange must be established before sending or receiving messages which requires registration to the IBM Global Network (TM).

If customers require a user program to work with the Expedite Base licensed program, they are responsible for designing, coding, and testing their own program. They are also responsible for verifying the programs will support the Year 2000 transition.

Before running Expedite Base/MVS 4.5, customers must verify that they do not currently have a SESSION file. The last session must be completed correctly before applying this update. This file is different from the old version, so an old session file is incompatible.

Packaging: The Expedite Base/MVS program can be ordered on one of the following:

  • Open Reel Tape -- 6250 bpi, phase encoding

  • 3480 Cartridge System Tape -- 34 K bpi



Security, Auditability, and Control

IBM Global Network Security: The IBM Global Network provides security features at the network access level, the application selection level, and the data access-level as specified in the IBM Global Network Security Policy (GC34-2206).

Extended Security Option (ESO): The ESO provides additional password security when ESO USER=YES is selected in the Information Exchange user's profile. All users are initially registered with ESO USER=NO, and standard Information Exchange security applies to these users. The ESO USER flag may be turned on by the customer's service administrator using Information Exchange Administration Services.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.



ORDERING INFORMATION

Contact IBM Global Network Services account support at 800-588-5808 to order Expedite Base/MVS 4.5 program.

New Licensees: Orders for new licenses will be accepted now.

Shipment will begin on the planned availability date.

  • Orders that ship before the planned availability will receive Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.4.

  • Orders that ship after the planned availability date will receive Expedite Base/MVS Version 4.5.
New users of Expedite Base/MVS should specify: 
         Type           Model


         5695            EDI

Unlicensed Documentation: The following publications are shipped with the program at no additional charge. If customers order additional copies, they will be charged. These manuals also provide information such as Information Exchange messages and codes, audit formats, and acknowledgement formats used by Expedite Base. 

                                                          Order
Title                                                     Number


Expedite Base/MVS Programming Guide                       GC34-2204
Expedite Programming Commands Quick                       GC34-2328
Reference
                                                          Order
Title                                                     Number


Information Exchange Interface                            GC34-2324
 Programming Message and Codes
Using Information Exchange Administration                 GC34-2260
 Services with the SEND Command
Understanding Information Exchange                        GX66-0653
 Message Charges
Expedite Notification Manager for MVS                     GC34-2327*
 Programming Guide


*     For customers who request the Expedite Notification Manager for
      MVS orderable feature.

Customers can view all current Expedite and Information Exchange publications online on the IBM Global Services Documentation Web site at:

Updated information about Information Exchange messages and codes, the message audit record format, and the acknowledgement record format will be available on this Web site.

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.



TERMS AND CONDITIONS

IBM Customer Agreement The terms for Expedite Base/MVS, as previously announced (announcement letter CB-9707) licensed under the Advantis Customer Agreement and the Attachment for Licensed Programs are unaffected by this announcement. The IBM Global Services, Network Services Exhibit for Licensed Programs and Fee Schedule Licensed Programs remain unchanged except as noted below:

DSLO (Distributed System License Option) is added. Customer may make a copy under DSLO.

Under a DSLO the customer must:

  1. Have a Basic license for the program

  2. Provide problem documentation and receive program services (if any) only through the location of the Basic license

  3. Distribute to, and install on, the DSLO's Designated Machine, any release, correction, or bypass that we provide for the Basic license
Refer to the IBM Customer Agreement for the detail of DSLO.

Support Line: Not applicable

Trademarks 

      MVS, System/370, MVS/ESA, and IBM Global Network are trademarks
      of International Business Machines Corporation in the United
      States or other countries or both.
      System/390, OS/390, and VTAM are registered trademarks of
      International Business Machines Corporation in the United
      States or other countries or both.
      Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or
      service marks of others.