IBM is expanding its mainframe offerings with the latest version of its <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2111018,00.asp?kc=EWINFEMNL040407EOAD">CICS Transaction Server application,</A> which looks to offer additional Web services and manageability features for service-oriented architecture.

IBM will release the beta of Customer Information Control System Transaction Server for z/OS Version 3.2. The latest version of the application adds some features, as well as new support for SOA, said Jim Rhyne, IBM's chief architect for enterprise software platforms.

Specifically, the latest version of the application will address issues of connectivity, application reuse and service management for customers of IBM's System z mainframes.