CAFC - Dynamic and Reliable Management of CICS
CICS Application File Control (CAFC) is a CICS management system that automatically controls transaction groups and their corresponding resources. Batch functions can be executed without system downtime or operator intervention.
CAFC is a proven, reliable solution; many companies in the financial and insurance sectors rely on CAFC's capabilities for their CICS management needs.
Operators can create logical lists of CICS resources and issue commands for these lists either online or via batch jobs. A single command can open or close multiple files—or even hundreds of them—and process the associated resources.
Most DD statements in the JCL job stream are eliminated, which speeds up system startup. CAFC serves as a robust, cost-effective alternative to CA DADS Plus.
CAFC simplifies and automates CICS commands for files, transactions, and databases, thereby increasing reliability and reducing errors.
Additionally, development or operations teams can create lists of CICS resources and then issue commands for the group, either online or through batch tasks.
For example, lists can contain all data and index components assigned to a specific database application. Meanwhile, another list might include all payroll files for a department or division that are typically processed in a single, consolidated run.
A single command applied to the list can then open or close hundreds of files while simultaneously managing associated resources, such as:
Enabling all transactions, allowing online access, and issuing CEMT requests.
Through parallel batch processing, CAFC commands can be executed simultaneously across multiple CICS systems from a single batch job, ensuring optimal performance.
FEATURES
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Eliminates unavailable datasets for batch executions
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Manages datasets without JCL code, reducing complexity and errors
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Allows full control over test files and transactions
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Extends testing capabilities even during active system hours
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Executes batch jobs and data transfers without interrupting other users
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Offers optional security, including passwords and external SAF interfaces such as RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret
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Controls security within CICS or directly via the CAFC security facility
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Improves reliability, reduces errors, and increases productivity
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Proven software used by major U.S. companies
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A cost-effective replacement for CA DADS Plus
AUTOMATION
Move perfeitamente arquivos e bancos de dados entre o CICS e os processos em lote sem o envolvimento do operador.
CONTROL
Abre arquivos automaticamente e permite transações ao mesmo tempo em que gerencia os recursos associados.
PERFORMANCE
It allocates files when they are opened and releases them when they are closed. This drastically reduces file interaction during startup.
FEATURES
Automatically Opens and Closes CICS Files
CAFC automatically opens and closes CICS files via batch JCL, ensuring that files and datasets are available for the next task. After processing, the files are returned to CICS with the appropriate dataset attributes.
Uninterrupted Testing
Application programmers will appreciate having full control over test files and transactions, as well as the ability to extend testing during the day while CICS regions are normally active. CAFC executes batch jobs without interrupting other users. Production and test files can be conveniently retrieved, deallocated, copied, renamed, or switched to alternate DSNAMEs to provide new test files or read-only copies at any time.
Reliable and Cost-Effective Operation
The power and flexibility behind CAFC increase reliability and productivity while reducing errors, thereby saving time and resources. All files and datasets can be managed without hardcoding dataset names in JCL, reducing complexity and errors.
Additional Security Using the SAF Interface
CAFC offers several optional security levels. A password may be required for logon. A standard SAF interface—such as RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret—can validate requests to access CAFC-defined resources or to browse/edit CAFC control data. Security options can be easily managed within CICS or by using CAFC's own security feature.
Reasons to Choose CAFC for CICS Management
• Reliable and cost-effective operation.
• Simplified commands and processes.
• Cost savings compared to CA DADS Plus and other products.
• Continuous improvement of CAFC, unlike alternative products that have been "stabilized" with no further enhancements.
• Dedicated SDS experts and local development and support teams committed to the future of CAFC.