(1) An IMS in an MSC network in which all terminals are connected, messages are routed to the proper processing IMS, and all replies are routed to the terminals. A front-end system may also perform back-end processing. See also back-end system, pseudo-front-end system, transaction processing system.
(2) The CICS system in which the Front End Programming Interface (FEPI) runs to provide access to applications running on other systems. See also back-end system.