Enterprise Cobol for z/OS V4 : correction

I talked about IBM Enterprise Cobol V4 some time ago and I mentioned there was an IPLA alternative for the Debugging Functions that can no longer be found in Cobol V4 which is compiler only.
In fact there are two alternatives. I forgot to mention the first and most obvious one. It's also MLC software en it just replaces the debugging functions that were up to now in the full function edition : IBM Debug Tool for z/OS V8.1 (5655-S17). On the other hand you have the IPLA software I mentioned before : Debug Tool Utilities and Advanced Functions V8.1 (5655-S16 – S&S 5655-J19). It's part of the Problem Determination Tools suite but it can be ordered separately. It also has some extra functionalities : CICS-related enhancements, automonitor enhancements, 64-bit register support for Assembler applications . . .
Take a good look at the price before ordering one of them. Even if you don't want the extra functionalities and there's a higher One Time Cost for the IPLA software, in the long run it might turn out to be more cost efficient (read : cheaper).

Problem Determination Tools

A new release of the IBM Problem Determination Tools has been announced. Problem Determination Tools comprises the following products : Application Performance Analyzer, Debug Tool Utilities and Advanced Functions, Fault Analyzer and File Manager.

At a Glance :

Application Performance Analyzer V8.1, Debug Tool Utilities and Advanced Functions V8.1, Fault Analyzer V8.1 and File Manager V8.1 deliver cost-effective and highly functional application performance analysis, source code debugging, application ABEND analysis, and data management. They help improve application delivery throughout the life cycle for traditional, Web-based and service-oriented applications. The tools are enhanced significantly to include:

• Additional integration with IBM Rational Developer for System z
• Increased support for new application environments such as WebSphere Application Server and Java
• Exploitation and currency support for IBM CICS Transaction Server V3.2, IBM DB2 V9, and IBM IMS V10
• Further support for SOA and Web service applications
• Control and compliance support including data scrambling
• Functional enhancements including new commands and new options
• Wide range of performance and usability enhancements

General availability : September 28, 2007.

Coincidence or not : there's a Proof of Technology event at Brussels Forum about Problem Determination Tools on October 3-4, 2007. You might want to check out whether there aren't any PoT events like this one in your own neighbourhood.