Have questions about the current status of CIMS Report Writer?
Getting S0C4 Abends in SPECTWTR after upgrading your z/OS?

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This page explains the current status of CIMS Report Writer.
And what you can do to stop the crashes!

A Short History of CIMS Report Writer

Since 1992, Pacific Systems Group has been proud to supply a special version of Spectrum Writer as the report writer component of the very successful CIMS Chargeback System, now known as the IBM Tivoli Usage and Accounting Manager for z/OS or ITUAM. (You'll see our copyright notice at the top of every run.) For many years, our "CIMS Report Writer" was included as an integral part of both the OS/390 and VSE versions of the CIMS Chargeback System. Over the years we coordinated closely with the CIMS programming team. We designed and incorporated new features into CIMS Report Writer to help it integrate smoothly with the rest of the CIMS system. And of course we provided maintenance and support for CIMS Report Writer to the CIMS team.

What Role Does CIMS Report Writer Play?

CIMS Report Writer reads the raw extract files created by the core CIMS Mainframe COBOL programs. CIMS Report Writer processes these files to create numerous standard CIMS reports, along with any custom reports created by the customer. CIMS Report Writer can also extract and reformat the CIMS data into comma delimited files for use in PCs. Or it can create HTML-format reports for use on the Web.

Many shops also use CIMS Report Writer as a general purpose report writer. It can be with any mainframe application, not just those related to the chargeback system. These may even be critical applications, such as payroll and accounting.

Recent Changes Affecting CIMS Report Writer

Over the years, CIMS was distributed by a number of different companies, including BMS Computer, Platinum Technology, and CIMS Lab, Inc. Currently, CIMS is distributed by IBM, which acquired CIMS Lab, Inc. in January 2006.

Since then, IBM has made some changes that directly affect users of CIMS Report Writer. One change was to end all support for CIMS VSE, including the CIMS Report Writer for VSE.

And beginning with version 12.2.1 of CIMS, IBM ended its practice of bundling CIMS Report Writer for free with CIMS z/OS. It now refers its CIMS customers to us, Pacific Systems Group, to license the CIMS Report Writer as a separate component. Here is the announcement from IBM:

Effective for CIMS Mainframe 12.2.1, CIMS Report Writer is no longer provided with the product. If you would like to continue to use the reporting functionality provided by CIMS Report Writer with CIMS Mainframe, contact Pacific Systems. (Excerpt from IBM's CIMS 12.2.1 Release Notes.)

Naturally most CIMS customers do want to continue using CIMS Report Writer. CIMS Report Writer produces dozens of very useful CIMS reports (such as Top 10 CPU Usage, Top 10 by Rate Code, ABEND Report, Daily Utilization Report, Usage Report by Cost Center and many, many others ). Spectrum Writer also makes it easy to create DRLCUNIV chargeback records from your own non standard systems, for processing in IBM's Usage and Accounting Collector. (Example.) In addition, many customers have a large base of their own customized CIMS Report Writer jobs in production.

Special Offer to CIMS Mainframe Customers

We appreciate the opportunity to accomodate IBM's CIMS customers by offering discounted licenses to download and use the latest version of the CIMS Report Writer software directly from us. The latest version of CIMS Report Writer (version 4.0.0) is stable on all versions of z/OS. (This version solves your S0C4 problem, if you are experiencing one.) This version also has many exciting new features. Please note that this version of CIMS Report Writer is not available from IBM.

Whether you are a new or existing licensee of Tivoli Usage and Accounting Manager, you can now obtain a license for CIMS Report Writer dirctly from us at a special CIMS customer price.

Our licenses include full maintenance and support at no additional cost. You will be able to download newer versions as they are released. We ensure compatibility with new releases of z/OS, upgrades of the report writer software, bug fixes, work-arounds, help with your technical questions, password issues, etc.

Something New!   SMF Reporting Package Now Available for CIMS Report Writer

We can also offer you another option not previously available to CIMS customers -- our SMF reporting package. This package includes complete record definitions for most of the SMF records, powerful exit modules, and a number of sample report definitions to use as models for your own reports. Now you can unlock the valuable performance and monitoring information hidden away in your SMF files. This add-on package is available to our CIMS customers at a reduced price (compared to its price as a standalone product). Please contact us for details or for a free 30-day trial.

About Your Current License Rights to CIMS Report Writer

If you bought a perpetual CIMS License before Version 12.2.1: You still have the right to use the latest CIMS Report Writer module that you received from the CIMS Lab (or IBM). If that version no longer runs reliably, contact us to purchase a license from us at a special CIMS customer price. (If you are satisfied with your current software, you do not have to do anything for now. But you might feel more secure about future z/OS upgrades if you had the version of CIMS Report Writer designed to run on them. Plus there's the peace of mind that comes from having someone to call if a problem does arise.) Just contact us if you would like to purchase a license and begin using the latest version.

If you bought Version 12.2.1 or later of CIMS Mainframe: You did not receive a license for CIMS Report Writer from IBM. You can purchase a license from us at a special CIMS customer price. Call us now to get started or for any other questions you may have.

If you bought annual licenses for CIMS Mainframe: Customers who purchased annual licenses of any version of CIMS Mainframe no longer receive a corresponding annual license for CIMS Report Writer from IBM. You can purchase a license directly from us, at a special CIMS customer price. Call us now to get started or with any questions you may have.

If you are a CIMS VSE Licensee: IBM no longer provides maintenance and support for CIMS Mainframe for VSE. If you purchased a perpetual license, you still have the right to use the latest CIMS Report Writer module that you received from the CIMS Lab (or IBM). If that version no longer runs reliably, contact us to purchase a license at a special CIMS customer price. (If you are satisfied with that software, you do not have to do anything for now. But you might have more peace of mind having someone you could call in case a problem does arise.) Just contact us if you would like to purchase a license and begin using the latest version.

What You Should Do

Have questions about your own situation? Ready to begin using the latest version of CIMS Report Writer? Just call 1-800-572-5517 or send us an e-mail. We can answer your questions and get you started right away.

Thank you! It is our privilege to be able to serve you.