A Parallel Sysplex environment in z/OS is a combination of hardware and software components that enable sysplex data sharing. Data sharing means the ability for sysplex member systems and subsystems to store data into, and retrieve data from, a common area of a coupling facility. In short, a Parallel Sysplex can have multiple CPCs and multiple applications (such as IMS) that can directly share the workload.

In a Parallel Sysplex environment, you can run multiple IMS subsystems that share message queues and databases. This sharing enables workload balancing and insulation from individual IMS outages. If one IMS in the sysplex fails or is stopped, others continue to process the workload, so the enterprise is minimally affected.