Have questions about the current status of CIMS Report Writer?
Having problems with passwords or other support issues?
Getting messages like EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, or IN 30-DAY GRACE PERIOD?

We can help. Here are some answers to common customer questions about CIMS Report Writer. Please contact us if you have additional questions, or would like to receive ongoing support from Pacific Systems Group.

A Short History of CIMS Report Writer

Since 1992, Pacific Systems Group has been proud to supply a version of our 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 more). Since that time, this "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 worked closely with the CIMS programmers to design and add features that help CIMS Report Writer integrate smoothly with the CIMS system. And of course we have provided maintenance and support services to CIMS for CIMS Report Writer.

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 the many standard CIMS reports, along with any custom reports defined by the customer. CIMS Report Writer even reformats the mainframe extract data into comma delimited files for PCs, or into HTML reports for use on the Web or in E-mail. And beyond its role with CIMS data, CIMS Report Writer can create custom reports and output files from other (non-CIMS) files in the customer's shop.

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, it is distributed by IBM, which acquired CIMS Lab, Inc. in January 2006. Later that year, IBM/CIMS announced February 28, 2007 as the end of support date for all versions of CIMS VSE and for version 11.5 of CIMS z/OS.

And IBM's release notes for version 12.2.1 of CIMS Mainframe announce that:

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.

Of course most longtime CIMS customers do want to continue using CIMS Report Writer. After all, CIMS Report Writer produces dozens of 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 ). In addition, some customers have a large base of custom developed CIMS Report Writer jobs in production -- often for systems not related to CIMS at all.

Special Offer to Affected CIMS Customers

To accomodate its CIMS customers, IBM has referred those customers who wish to continue to use CIMS Report Writer to us, Pacific Systems Group. We are its original developer and we still actively update and support it. Once again, a version of Spectrum Writer (which we market as a standalone 4GL) provides the core engine of CIMS Report Writer.

Therefore, if you are a new licensee of CIMS Mainframe, you can obtain a license for CIMS Report Writer from us. Or, if you are an existing CIMS Report Writer user who just needs ongoing maintenance and support for CIMS Report Writer, we can provide you with first class technical support.

And, in cooperation with IBM, we are very happy to extend special pricing to all current and former CIMS customers. Verified licensees of CIMS can continue to use, and receive maintenance, support and upgrades for, CIMS Report Writer at these special rates:

Description	Special CIMS Customer Price
New License (Perpetual)	$6900 one-time
Maintenance & Support	$2500 per year

About Your License Rights to CIMS Report Writer

Perpetual CIMS Licensees: 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. We are happy to provide you continuing maintenance and support for your CIMS Report Writer investment. That way you'll always have someone to contact in case of technical questions, password needs or other support issues. It also entitles you to all new releases of CIMS Report Writer. We offer maintenance and support services to CIMS users 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 purchased an annual license for a pre-12.2.1 version of CIMS Mainframe also received an annual license for CIMS Report Writer -- for the same term as their CIMS license. If you once had an annual license for CIMS, but it has lapsed, you do not now have a license for CIMS Report Writer. 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 Licensees of Version 12.2.1: Customers who purchase version 12.2.1 of CIMS Mainframe will not receive a license for CIMS Report Writer. You need to purchase a license from Pacific Systems Group in order to take advantage of its powerful CIMS reporting features. 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.

VSE Customers: IBM no longer markets, nor provides maintenance and support for, CIMS Mainframe for VSE (including, of course, CIMS Report Writer for VSE). We are happy to provide maintenance and support for your CIMS Report Writer VSE investment. That way you'll always have someone to contact in case of technical questions, password needs or other support issues. It also entitles you to all new releases of CIMS Report Writer). We offer maintenance and support services to CIMS users at the special CIMS customer price shown above. Call us now to get started or for any other questions you may have.

What You Should Do

Please call (1-800-572-5517) or e-mail us right away if you would like to take advantage of this offer to continue using the powerful custom reporting and file formatting features provided by CIMS Report Writer at these low prices. We will mail you a license and/or support agreement. And we can immediately provide you with temporary authorization codes to keep your CIMS Report Writer from expiring while the paperwork is in progress.