Pointer Enabled Tools or PETs are CMS programs which are written to be manipulated with a mouse (or with regular 3270 keystrokes, if you prefer).

PETs look quite a bit like standard fullscreen 3270 applications, because they are 3270-based applications. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between GUI windows and standard VM/CMS, enabling people who are comfortable using a mouse to become equally comfortable manipulating CMS files and devices (like virtual disks and printers).

And as a bonus, people who already know how to handle CMS, can now do their work a whole lot faster because there's a whole lot less typing to do.

This project began in earnest in 1996, but its precursors go back to the early 1990's, before JAVA and the World Wide Web became all the rage. If you logon to native CMS, try PETs. Enjoy. --rick ellis