Have questions about the current status of CIMS Report Writer? Having support issues or problems with passwords?<--!>
Getting messages like EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, or IN 30-DAY GRACE PERIOD?
Having Problems Under z/OS 1.9? Migrating to TDSz?

We can help. You've found the right site. This page has the answers to common customer questions about CIMS Report Writer. After reading this, please contact us to register your CIMS Report Writer for support with Pacific Systems Group.

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). Since that time, our "CIMS Report Writer" has been included as an integral part of both the OS/390 and VSE versions of the CIMS Chargeback System. Over the years we have 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 have always 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 that have been created by the customer. CIMS Report Writer also reformats some of the extract data into comma delimited files for use in PCs. Optionally, it can create HTML-format reports for use on the Web or with E-mail.

Many shops also use CIMS Report Writer with other mainframe applications that have nothing to do with the chargeback system. Often vital applications such as payroll and accounting.

Recent Changes Affecting CIMS Report Writer

Over the years, CIMS has been 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 that time, IBM has made some changes that directly affect users of CIMS Report Writer. One change was to end support in early 2007 for all versions of CIMS VSE (as well as for version 11.5 of CIMS z/OS). That included support for all VSE versions of CIMS Report Writer, which is still popular in VSE shops.

Also, beginning with version 12.2.1 of CIMS, IBM ended its policy of bundling CIMS Report Writer for free with CIMS. It now refers its CIMS customers to us, Pacific Systems Group, to purchase 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 ). In addition, many customers have a large base of their own custom CIMS Report Writer jobs in production.

Special Offer to CIMS Mainframe Customers

We appreciate the opportunity to accomodate IBM's CIMS customers by continuing to provide them with licenses and support for CIMS Report Writer.

If you are a new licensee of CIMS Mainframe, you can obtain your license for CIMS Report Writer from us. Or if you are a longtime CIMS Report Writer user with an existing license, you just need our ongoing maintenance and support. As the original developers, we deliver first class technical support. 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.

And, in cooperation with IBM, we are pleased to be able to offer special pricing to all current and former CIMS customers. Verified licensees of CIMS (ITUAM) can purchase CIMS Report Writer licenses and support at these special rates:

CIMS Report Writer
Description	Special CIMS Customer Price
New License (perpetual)	$6900 one-time
Maintenance & Support	$2500 per year
Above prices are per-CPU. Site licenses are also available and are priced at 1.75 times the single-CPU price.

Something New!   DB2 Option Now Available for CIMS Report Writer

We can also offer you an option that was not previously available to CIMS customers -- the DB2 Option for CIMS Report Writer. With the DB2 Option you can now harness all of the power and versatility of CIMS Report Writer when working with DB2 data. All of the same custom reporting, file creation, PC exporting capabilities can now be used with data from all of your DB2 tables. CIMS Report Writer with the DB2 Option even lets you combine data from DB2 tables with non-DB2 data (such as VSAM files). With the CIMS Report Writer DB2 Option, your programmers can leverage the same easy 4GL language they already know on a whole new range of mainframe data.

If you are interested in the DB2 Option, please contact us. We can arrange a free 30-day trial. The DB2 Option is available to verified licensees of CIMS Report Writer at this special rate:

DB2 Option for CIMS Report Writer
Description	Special CIMS Customer Price
DB2 Option License (perpetual)	$3900 one-time
Maintenance & Support for DB2 Option	$1490 per year
Above prices are per-CPU. Site licenses are also available and are priced at 1.75 times the single-CPU price.

About Your Current License Rights to CIMS Report Writer

Perpetual CIMS Licensees before 12.2.1: Customers who purchased a perpetual license for a pre-12.2.1 version of CIMS Mainframe also received a perpetual license for CIMS Report Writer. You do not need to purchase a new license from us. Please contact us as soon as possible to set up ongoing maintenance and support, to ensure your uninterrupted use of the product.

Perpetual CIMS Licensees of Version 12.2.1: Customers who purchase version 12.2.1 and later of CIMS Mainframe do not receive a license for CIMS Report Writer from IBM. You need to purchase your license directly from Pacific Systems Group. You can purchase a perpetual license from us at the special CIMS customer price shown above. Call us now to get started or for any other questions you may have.

Annual CIMS Licensees: Customers who purchase annual licenses of any version of CIMS Mainframe no longer receive a corresponding annual license for CIMS Report Writer from IBM. You need to purchase your license directly from Pacific Systems Group. You can purchase a perpetual license from us at the special CIMS customer price shown above. Call us now to get started or for any other questions you may have.

CIMS VSE Licensees: IBM no longer markets, nor provides maintenance and support for, CIMS Mainframe for VSE (including, of course, the CIMS Report Writer component). However your license for CIMS Report Writer VSE is still valid, and we continue to support the product. Please contact us as soon as possible to set up ongoing maintenance and support, to ensure your uninterrupted use of the product.

What You Should Do

Please call 1-800-572-5517 or send us an e-mail right away if you would like to begin, or continue, using the powerful custom reporting and file formatting features provided by CIMS Report Writer. We can get you started right away. If necessary, we can immediately provide you with temporary authorization codes to keep your copy of CIMS Report Writer from expiring.

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