Native 64-bit (X64)
The core SNA Services (SNA gateway, Host Print, TN) and SNA Client (3270, 5250, APPC) are available as native 64-bit processes on X64 operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows 2003 and Windows XP.

Kerberos Client-Server
IT professionals can deploy HIS 2006 more securely than HIS 2004, using the new Kerberos authentication between client and server computers.

SNA High Performance Routing over IP
The High Performance Routing over Internet Protocol link service has been extended to support IPv6 and more flexible configuration, allowing HIS to operate in the most modern WAN and datacenter deployments.

Session Integrator
HIS 2006 offers a new set of technologies, collectively called Session Integrator, for more efficiently developing modern devices on Windows XP, such as Automated Teller Machines and other Point-of-Sales solutions. Session Integrator includes both "screen-scraping" runtime services and programming interfaces (COM and .NET), allowing enterprise developers to emulate and automate access to LU2 3270-based and LU0 LUA-based host mainframe programs, across SNA or TCP/IP (TN3270) network connections.

Enterprise Single Sign-On
Defining users and mapping credentials is much easier in HIS 2006 compared to HIS 2004, using the optional Management Agent for Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 or MMC-based SSO Administrator. Optionally, end users can configure their own mappings using the SSO Client Utility. When deploying EntSSO, IT professionals can rely on the new IPv6 support.

Transaction Integrator
Developers can service-enable their existing CICS, IMS, and AS/400 callable programs using XML web services generated by the new MMC-based TI Administrator. The TI runtime and Visual Studio 2005 design tool have been extended to support dynamic discriminators on unions of REDEFINEs or OVERLAYs, allowing enterprise developers to re-use complex host business rules to access data stored in nested VSAM records, IMS/DB tables, and AS/400 physical files. To improve performance, TI supports a .NET Framework 2.0-enabled direct .NET interface. Host-Initiated Processing now supports AS/400 host clients, while essential updates to the design tools and runtime infrastructure enables access to dynamically defined data structures. Also, TI HIP has been enhanced to offer persistent network connections, allowing IT professionals to efficiently deploy HIP into high volume deployment scenarios.

Data Providers for DB2
To directly access information in IBM DB2 database servers, enterprise developers can use the new Microsoft .NET Framework Data Provider for DB2 that is based on an improved Microsoft network client for DB2 (pooling, schemas, transaction, static SQL). The DB2 managed provider extends the standard Visual Studio 2005 design tools, server explorer and data set designer, to allow enterprise developers to generate code based on intuitive drag-drop and wizards.

Data Providers for Host Files
To access data records stored in IBM mainframe z/OS (VSAM) datasets and midrange AS/400 physical files, enterprise developers can use the new Microsoft .NET Framework Data Provider for Host Files that is based on an updated Microsoft network client for host files (nested records, SQL commands). The host file provider includes a Visual Studio 2005 design tool, including COBOL and RPG source code import wizards that allow developers to map host program-described records to ADO.NET data tables. The provider offers basic SQL commands (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) and built-in data conversion from host machine types, including nested records (COBOL OCCURS, COBOL REDEFINE, and RPG OVERLAY) and EBCDIC strings, to .NET Framework CLS data types and UNICODE.