Sorry, this question is not suppose to be here, but I coundn't find it elsewhere, my client is chasing me.

I'd like to a send a string to IBM mainframe and vice-versa, any idea?
such as:
Any tools/API from IBM can be used?
What third party API avialable?
Basically, how's the setting in PC site?
where can I get more information about this (I tried IBM site before, nothing)?

Thanks in advance.