NewEra Software, Inc. - What's New in IMAGE Focus Release 4.3?

Major Enhancements in IMAGE Focus 4.3 Include:

1.1 Support for Multiple Simultaneous Users

IMAGE Focus has long been the IMAGE Management and System Recovery Workbench for individuals. Now in 4.3, teams of users can join together in workgroups to manage their specific area of system and/or subsystem responsibility. To provide this support, the IMAGE Focus master address space is run as a VTAM application, spawning the required user address space on demand and managing individual ISPF user profiles and background task tables.

1.2 Keep IFO up if a user logs off

In past releases of IMAGE Focus, users were required to issue a start prior to each usage. When they logged off, the started address space was terminated. This method of product operation has been changed in 4.3. Now when the user starts IMAGE Focus, it will continue to stay up after the user logs off.

1.3 Custom Defined Inspections

In prior releases, users have become familiar with Sysplex/Image Inspections including the operating system and the subsystem components JES2/3, VTAM and TCP/IP. In 4.3, users will now be able to define up to three additional system and/or subsystem configuration components to IMAGE Focus. These User Defined Components can be included as needed in Inspections, Definitions for Image Packet Creation and Comparisons. Users wishing to write specific “Inspectors” to scan these components may do so as they will be automatically called and used by IMAGE Focus as needed.

1.4 Support for TCPIP.DATA

The TCP/IP Inspector is enhanced to provide support for TCP/IP.DATA and RESOLVER configuration syntax found in z/OS V1R2 and above.

1.5 Support for z/OS V1R3

The Release Inspection Definition Screen has been updated to allow for the selection of z/OS V1R3.

1.6 Application Programming Interface enhanced

The IMAGE Focus API is enhanced in 4.3 to allow REXX Inspectors to access HFS source files and other records of up to 255 characters.

1.7 User Interface Enhancements

In IMAGE Focus 4.3, the User Interface (Panels, Screens, Displays and Reports) has again been restructured to improve ease of use and to add new functions or reports.