VB6 'talking' to mainframe application

Need urgent help on this.

I'm developing an application which needs to 'talk' to our Mainframe application. The application will reveal customer personal and account information. The information received must be real time and fast response.

Initially I did include an ActiveX of Attachmate Access Object as the media to from my application to get data from Mainframe. However, with my customer's requirement which need to have 80 concurrent access, Attachmate is not a option. Each PC will have to be installed with Attachmate Access Object and having 80 licenses to purchase is too costly investment plus maintenance.

Need help if anybody have use better and cheap solution. One hint I got is to use IBM Personal Communicator (IBM Host Access Terminal Control- which is a compulsory software to be installed at each of my client's PC) or IBM SDK.

Help help help... SOS SOS SOS...