Mainframe teams need faster, easier ways to modernize COBOL applications. With IBM z/OS Connect 3.0.88, exposing CICS services as REST APIs is now simpler, faster, and less complex than traditional CICS web services.
Whether you’re building mobile apps, partner integrations, or internal portals, this release makes connecting your core systems with the outside world easier. (As of publication, IBM is on z/OS Connect 3.0.91, as progress never sleeps!)
Why Now is the Time to Modernize CICS with APIs
Released in December 2024, z/OS Connect 3.0.88 introduced the ability to run directly inside a CICS region. This eliminates the need for a separate server or address space and improves performance by reducing latency when calling CICS programs. That’s a significant win for anyone managing z/OS infrastructure. Key benefits include:
- Faster setup and execution
- No extra address space to manage
- Simplified access to CICS programs as REST APIs
Built for Developers, Not Just Mainframers
You don’t need deep CICS or z/OS experience to use the latest version. z/OS Connect now includes:
- Modern developer tools
- Support for current API security and connectivity standards
- Flexible mapping options with lighter data structures
- Streamlined error handling
This makes it easier to bring new developers into the fold and scale mainframe modernization across teams.
Why Choose z/OS Connect Over CICS Web Services?
While CICS web services are powerful, IBM touts that z/OS Connect provides a simpler and faster pattern for creating and managing APIs, including:
- One unified model for security, monitoring, and operations
- Minimal-to-no custom code to maintain
- Seamless integration with enterprise API gateways and management platforms
This unified pattern is designed to make life easier and more future-proof for organizations adopting mainframe microservices or enabling cloud-native interfaces.
Refactor with watson x Code Assistant for Z
To take full advantage of API enablement, consider breaking down monolithic COBOL applications into smaller services. Smaller services mean easier testing, quicker API creation, and cleaner maintenance. IBM’s watsonx Code Assistant for Z can help automate this refactoring process, simplifying your copybooks and reducing the data mapping effort.
Learn More or Get Started
IBM offers a variety of resources and expert-led sessions to help you dive deeper into CICS:
- Download the slide deck from a June 2025 IBM z/OS Connect 3.0.88 webinar.
- Join the IBM CICS Insight Series for regular, in-depth, technical discussions.
- Register for the next CICS Insight Series Webinar on July 24: “Modernizing your z/OS business applications using RESTful APIs with IBM z/OS Connect.”
- Watch the IBM z/OS Connect Designer Tutorial.
Bottom Line
If you’re still managing CICS integration the old way, it’s time to move forward. With z/OS Connect 3.0.88, you can modernize faster, expose COBOL logic as REST APIs easily, and support enterprise-grade API strategies – all without rewriting your core systems.
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Penney Berryman, MPH (she/her), is the Content Editor for Planet Mainframe. She also writes health technology and online education marketing materials. Penney is based in Austin, Texas.
Connect with her on LinkedIn.