This IBM® Redbooks® publication discusses practical uses of the IBM CICS asynchronous API capability. It describes the methodology, design and thought process used by a large client, Walmart, and the considerations of the choices made. The Redbooks publication provides real life examples and application patterns that benefit from the performance and scalability offered by the new API.

The book discusses the homegrown methodology used by Walmart before the API was available and compares it with the design using the new API. A discussion of the process used to migrate older applications to begin using the new API is included so the reader will understand the ease of implementing the new API. A description of real world usage patterns describes the current production application Walmart has deployed as well as other patterns to give the reader a sense of what's possible applying creative thinking with technology improvements. Finally, a section is included on the areas to be considered as you begin to plan and implement asynchronous API capabilities.

This book should be read by:

This book is meant to be used in tandem with IBM Redbooks publication IBM CICS Asynchronous API: Concurrent Processing Made Simple, SG24-8411, which will provide the background and implementation instructions and commands for the API itself.

This book was produced by a team of specialists from around the world working at IBM Redbooks, Hursley Center.

Pradeep Gohil is a Software Engineer working at IBM Hursley UK. He holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Computing (Artificial Intelligence) from Imperial College London. He has 17 years of experience working in the IBM CICS organization. His area of expertise is application modernization in CICS Transaction Server for IBM z/OS, including the CICS asynchronous API, web services, CICS cloud and CICS bundles. Pradeep was the technical leader for the research, design, and delivery of the CICS asynchronous API and has authored an IBM Redbooks publication on the subject (IBM CICS Asynchronous API: Concurrent Processing Made Simple, SG24-8411).

Frank De Gilio is a Distinguished Engineer from IBM. He is the Chief Technology Officer for mainframe modernization. Frank has experience in mainframe development where he focused on uniting cross platform technologies on MVS, OS/2, Windows and UNIX platforms. Frank built the IBM Design Center to help clients architect and design optimized IT infrastructures. Today Frank focuses on helping businesses modernize their mainframe environment to become critical enterprise components of their digital solutions. He has authored works on J2EE security, cloud computing, infrastructure design and management. Frank holds a number of patents in the system software, Internet, security and infrastructure management fields.

Nick Garrod works in Market Enablement for IBM Z and has spent many years supporting CICS in a variety of business and marketing roles. He has been a member of the GSE Nordics steering committee for more than 15 years. Nick has been a contributor to IBM Redbooks, IBM Systems Journal, Enterprise Tech journal and Destination z. In his spare time he enjoys listening and playing music as well as traveling. Nick has been with IBM for 40 years.

Randy Frerking is a Distinguished Systems Engineer on the z/OS Cloud Platform team at Walmart. He is responsible for designing and developing foundational services to satisfy various IT and business requirements, providing socialization of technological concepts, influencing direction, and promoting innovation throughout Walmart's IT organization. His primary focus is on z/OS cloud and enterprise software development. Randy has more than 39 years of CICS and mainframe middleware experience with 11 years at Walmart. Randy is an IBM Redbooks Gold Author and an IBM Champion for 2019.

Rich Jackson is a Principal Systems Engineer at Walmart where he is responsible for the design, development, and operation of foundational, managed services that enable application developers to satisfy an array of business needs. He regularly speaks on topics such as cloud computing, services, and DevOps as they relate to enterprise mainframe environments. Rich's background includes storage and z/OS management, grid computing planning and design, HA/DR implementations, and service delivery. His experience with large-scale, global IT operations provides a perspective that is highly valued among his peers. Rich is an IBM Redbooks Gold Author and an IBM Champion for 2019.

Kellie Mathis is an IT executive who has worked in the area of mainframe ecosystem for 34 years. She retired from IBM in 2017 and now leads the mainframe team at Direct Systems Support. Kellie's background includes z/OS, Z systems hardware, Z software, storage and HA/DR. She regularly consults with clients to help them get the best value from their mainframe environment, focusing on cost structures, organizational issues, and exploitation of modern mainframe practices. Kellie is an IBM Redbooks Gold Author.

 

The project that produced this publication was managed by Martin Keen, IBM Redbooks Project Leader and edited by Matthew Lesher.

Thanks to the following people for their contributions to this project:

Here’s an opportunity to spotlight your skills, grow your career, and become a published author—all at the same time! Join an IBM Redbooks residency project and help write a book in your area of expertise, while honing your experience using leading-edge technologies. Your efforts will help to increase product acceptance and customer satisfaction, as you expand your network of technical contacts and relationships. Residencies run from two to six weeks in length, and you can participate either in person or as a remote resident working from your home base.

Find out more about the residency program, browse the residency index, and apply online at:

Your comments are important to us!

We want our books to be as helpful as possible. Send us your comments about this book or other IBM Redbooks publications in one of the following ways:

IBM Corporation, IBM Redbooks
Dept. HYTD Mail Station P099
2455 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-5400