APPC/MVS is a VTAM application that extends APPC support to the z/OS operating system. Although APPC/VTAM previously provided some LU 6.2 capability, APPC/MVS in cooperation with APPC/VTAM provides full LU 6.2 capability to programs running in z/OS.

The primary role of APPC/MVS is to provide a set of MVS callable services that enable z/OS application programs to communicate with other application programs through communication protocols provided by the SNA network.

APPC/MVS consists of programming support and z/OS system support. The programming support consists of APPC/MVS callable services and administrative system files for transaction programs. The z/OS system support enables programs to use the callable services in z/OS.