Skyward Data

How cheap and how fast can mainframe-to-cloud backup actually be? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re shows how VirtualZ backs up its own IBM Z mainframe — system backups, source code, and operational logs — by streaming them straight to cloud object storage with FlowZ, VirtualZ's no-code tool for using Amazon S3, Azure Blob, and Google Cloud as mainframe backup and archive storage, for pennies a month. Vince Re explains exactly how it works: FlowZ makes cloud object storage look like a normal output target to z/OS, so the mainframe writes to the cloud as if it were a local device — with no custom code and nothing running on the cloud side. He also answers the objection everyone raises about cloud backup: isn't the network too slow? It isn't, and he walks through why. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - How cloud object storage becomes a native mainframe output target with no custom code - Real numbers on volume backup speeds and compression, mainframe to cloud - Why network bandwidth is not the bottleneck most teams assume it is - How the approach scales from a small shop to a site moving terabytes a day - Replacing fragile, expensive local tape and disk media with cheaper, off-site cloud backup FlowZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside PropelZ (moving and replicating mainframe data, proven at 56,000 records per second), Lozen (live in-place data access), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). For banks, insurers, retailers, and any enterprise running IBM Z, it's a practical path to durable, low-cost, off-site backup and tape replacement. Topics: mainframe cloud backup, IBM Z, z/OS, cloud object storage, S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud, tape replacement, mainframe archive, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts

Can you route the same mainframe dataset to AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and IBM Cloud at once? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how PropelZ — VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud — sends a single dataset to multiple cloud platforms simultaneously from one configuration, so enterprises use each provider's strengths instead of locking into one. Vince Re makes the case for treating multi-cloud as a mainframe data strategy rather than a vendor decision: distributing the same z/OS data across providers for resilience, geographic compliance, and cost flexibility, without building and maintaining a separate integration for each cloud. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - How to route one mainframe dataset to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud simultaneously from a single PropelZ configuration - Geographic distribution that optimizes performance while meeting regional compliance requirements - Cost optimization by matching workloads to the best pricing across providers - Real applications: cross-continent disaster recovery and per-cloud analytics, such as Google Cloud for analytics, Azure for enterprise integration, and AWS for scale - Moving from "choosing a cloud" to orchestrating several, without managing separate pipelines PropelZ writes mainframe data directly to Amazon S3, Azure Blob, and Google Cloud Storage with no code and no homegrown pipelines, and is proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: multi-cloud mainframe strategy, IBM Z, z/OS, mainframe data replication, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, disaster recovery, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

How do you get IBM Z mainframe security data into Splunk without custom development? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how the PropelZ Splunk connector — part of VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving mainframe data to the cloud — streams SMF records, RACF logs, and console messages directly into an existing Splunk SOC, so the system processing your most sensitive data is no longer a blind spot. Vince Re walks through why most mainframe-to-Splunk integration relies on batch processing and custom work, and how PropelZ delivers real-time streaming into existing Splunk deployments with no custom development, no specialized configuration, and no mainframe-specific expertise required on the security team's side. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why real-time SMF, RACF, and console data beats the batch processing legacy connectors depend on - Out-of-the-box Splunk integration: structured data formatting and unified timeline correlation with the rest of your SOC - Threat-detection scenarios this enables: privilege escalation monitoring, lateral movement analysis, and data exfiltration alerts - Applying behavioral analysis and anomaly detection to mainframe security data alongside distributed systems - Why integration measured in weeks, not months, matters for security operations SMF (System Management Facilities) is the mainframe's audit and activity log; RACF is IBM's z/OS access-control and security package. PropelZ feeds both into Splunk with no code and no homegrown pipelines, and is proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: mainframe security monitoring, Splunk integration, SMF, RACF, IBM Z, z/OS, SOC, SIEM, threat detection, real-time data streaming, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What is the mainframe skills gap, and how can enterprises close it without hiring more COBOL programmers? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re tackles one of the most pressing problems in enterprise IT: the COBOL, JCL, and REXX experts who keep IBM Z mainframes running are retiring faster than they can be replaced, and few new engineers are trained on those technologies. The mainframes still process core banking, insurance, and government workloads — but the people who understand them are aging out. Vince Re argues the fix isn't finding more mainframe specialists. It's making deep mainframe expertise optional for the integration layer, so the cloud-native and DevOps engineers enterprises already employ can work with mainframe data directly — without learning COBOL or REXX. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - What the mainframe skills gap is, why it's accelerating, and what it costs enterprises that don't plan for it - Why hiring against a shrinking COBOL and REXX talent pool is a losing strategy - How cloud and DevOps teams can own mainframe data integration using skills they already have - The economics of leveraging abundant cloud-native talent instead of rare, expensive mainframe specialists - How to build a mainframe data strategy that scales with your existing team One practical answer is VirtualZ's no-code approach: PropelZ moves and replicates IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud — proven at 56,000 records per second — with no code and no homegrown pipelines, so teams integrate mainframe data without deep z/OS expertise. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: mainframe skills gap, COBOL skills shortage, IBM Z, z/OS, mainframe modernization, DevOps, cloud-native, IT talent shortage, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What if enterprise integration software were priced like a smartphone app store — pick the specific capabilities you need and skip the ones you don't? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how VirtualZ applies that model to mainframe integration, letting enterprises choose individual connectors and capabilities instead of buying a large suite and using a fraction of it. Vince Re contrasts the traditional "buy everything, use some of it" enterprise software model with a modular, app-store approach: granular selection, pay for what you use, and combine specialized components into exactly the integration you need. He explains why modular architecture also lets a vendor ship new capabilities faster than monolithic, all-in-one development. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - How app-store-style pricing changes enterprise software buying — paying for a handful of capabilities instead of dozens - Examples of modular components working together, such as the Splunk connector, the data-movement multiplexer, and cloud storage - Why modular architecture accelerates innovation compared with monolithic platforms - The advantages of granular selection: lower cost, faster implementation, and flexibility to change later - How customers assemble custom mainframe integration by combining specialized capabilities This modular philosophy runs through VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data: PropelZ (moving and replicating IBM Z data to the cloud, proven at 56,000 records per second), Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage) — four products you deploy and combine, with no code and no homegrown pipelines, rather than one suite you buy whole. Topics: enterprise software pricing, modular architecture, mainframe integration, IBM Z, z/OS, connectors, no-code data integration, software procurement, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

How do you monitor IBM Z mainframe and cloud infrastructure in one place instead of two separate systems? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how PropelZ's console logging connector streams mainframe console messages directly into modern monitoring tools, so operations teams see mainframe, Kubernetes, and cloud alerts in a single unified view rather than treating the mainframe as an isolated silo. Vince Re makes the case for unified operations: instead of choosing between mainframe expertise and cloud-native skills, teams combine them by feeding real-time mainframe console data into the dashboards and alerting tools they already run. The result is faster incident response across the whole environment, because mainframe events sit on the same timeline as everything else. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - How streaming mainframe console messages into existing tools creates one cross-platform view of mainframe, Kubernetes, and cloud alerts - Using monitoring stacks teams already know — such as Splunk and Prometheus — instead of mainframe-specific tooling - Why real-time mainframe visibility speeds incident response across hybrid infrastructure - Getting more from existing monitoring investments rather than standing up a separate mainframe system - Building operations that scale as the hybrid environment grows PropelZ streams mainframe console messages, SMF records, and other z/OS data into cloud and monitoring platforms with no code and no homegrown pipelines, and is proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: mainframe monitoring, hybrid cloud operations, IBM Z, z/OS, console messages, observability, Splunk, Prometheus, Kubernetes, incident response, no-code data integration. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

Why does moving DB2 mainframe data to platforms like Snowflake still require weeks of manual COBOL copybook creation — and how can you skip that step entirely? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how PropelZ's automatic metadata discovery removes copybook work from database integration, so a DB2-to-Snowflake migration that used to take months can run in minutes. Vince Re breaks down why copybook creation has quietly slowed mainframe database projects for decades, and how self-describing databases change the equation: PropelZ reads the table's own metadata automatically, so you write a SQL query and run the move instead of hand-building copybooks first. That makes deep COBOL expertise optional for database data movement, not a prerequisite. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - How automatic metadata discovery replaces weeks of manual copybook engineering for database integration - Why "write a SQL query and run it" is the modern alternative to copybook-first workflows - A real DB2 table migration that went from complex to straightforward - Why manual metadata management is the biggest adoption barrier for mainframe database projects - How the approach scales from a single table migration to billion-row analytics workloads PropelZ moves and replicates IBM Z mainframe data — including DB2 — to cloud data warehouses like Snowflake, Databricks, Redshift, and BigQuery with no code and no homegrown pipelines, and is proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: DB2 migration, mainframe copybooks, metadata discovery, Snowflake, Databricks, IBM Z, z/OS, cloud data warehouse, SQL, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

How do you migrate 200,000+ mainframe datasets to the cloud when transferring them one at a time would take months? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re explains how the PropelZ multiplexer turns massive mainframe data migrations from an operational nightmare into an automated, parallel process — moving hundreds of datasets at once instead of queuing them individually. Vince Re walks through inventory-driven migration: PropelZ takes a full inventory of the datasets to move, then runs them in parallel, cutting projects that would take months down to weeks. He explains why enterprises choose intelligent queue management over one-at-a-time transfers for virtual tape library migrations, application modernization, and large-scale cloud moves. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Real performance: 100–200 parallel transfers processing thousands of datasets per hour - Comprehensive status tracking that turns black-box migrations into transparent, monitored processes - Integration with existing automation and help-desk systems - Uses beyond migration: compliance archiving, disaster recovery, and data center consolidation - Why parallel, inventory-driven processing scales where individual file transfers don't The multiplexer is built into PropelZ, VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud — proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud — with no code and no homegrown pipelines. PropelZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: mainframe data migration, IBM Z, z/OS, virtual tape library, VTL migration, parallel data transfer, application modernization, disaster recovery, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What's new in PropelZ 2.0, and what does the release change for enterprise mainframe data integration? VirtualZ Computing CTO Vince Re walks through the major 2.0 release of PropelZ — VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud — covering dozens of customer-requested features, including a 60% throughput improvement and native binary data handling. Vince Re explains how real customer problems drove the release: a retailer's binary data requirements, a financial services customer's billion-row processing needs, and a large mainframe outsourcer's enterprise connectivity demands. He shares the technical detail behind each enhancement and how it maps to integration problems enterprises face now. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Custom input/output handlers with variable-length record support and binary data processing - Java method integration delivering a 60% throughput improvement for billion-row workloads - Enhanced incremental processing with minimal-change algorithms that optimize database updates - Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) support for security and supply-chain compliance - Databricks connectivity, SOCKS proxy support, and simplified configuration management PropelZ moves and replicates IBM Z mainframe data to cloud platforms and data warehouses like Snowflake, Databricks, Redshift, and BigQuery with no code and no homegrown pipelines, and is proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: PropelZ 2.0, mainframe data integration, IBM Z, z/OS, binary data, SBOM, Databricks, incremental processing, billion-row data, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What happens when mainframe-grade data movement runs anywhere, not just on z/OS? VirtualZ Computing Co-Founder and CTO Vince Re joins Co-Founder Dustin Froyum to introduce PropelZ for Linux — the multi-platform extension of VirtualZ's no-code data movement engine — which takes the same engine proven on IBM Z and runs it anywhere Java runs. Vince Re walks through the architecture: why the core engine translates so cleanly across platforms, where the differences lie, and why they're smaller than you'd expect. He and Dustin also dig into the enterprise security capabilities that matter most — field-level filtering, data masking, SSL/TLS support, and sanitizing sensitive data before it ever reaches its target. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - PropelZ for Linux runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, IBM i, UNIX, and any Java-enabled environment - A 150–200% throughput improvement over existing ETL solutions, out of the box - 26,000 rows per second to cloud-based Postgres — multiple terabytes per hour - Zero-code, fully declarative setup — running in minutes to hours, not months - A cautionary tale: a financial services firm spent two years on a legacy ETL project, abandoned it, then ran PropelZ the next day - The Multiplexer: parallel processing that moves millions of files at once using full available bandwidth PropelZ moves and replicates data with no code and no homegrown pipelines, now across mainframe and distributed platforms alike. It's part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: PropelZ for Linux, ETL alternative, data integration, cloud migration, Postgres, multi-platform data movement, data masking, IBM Z, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What really slows down IBM Z modernization? It's not the application code — it's the data. In this episode of Skyward Data, VirtualZ Co-Founder Dusty Froyum and Marc Sokol (Executive Chairman, former SVP at CA Technologies) break down what actually happens inside enterprise VSAM-to-PostgreSQL migrations, and why the data layer is the hardest part to get right. Drawing on decades in the mainframe world, Marc Sokol explains why so many migration programs stall at the data layer — data dependencies, stale datasets, and heavy ETL or CDC architectures turning a "simple migration" into a complex one. Dusty Froyum outlines how a no-code, direct-access approach simplifies the architecture, reduces operational complexity, and helps teams hit tight migration windows without over-engineering. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why data, not code, is what delays mainframe modernization - Real results: 460,000 VSAM records moved to PostgreSQL in 25 seconds - 60.9 million records delivered in 18 minutes — roughly 56,000 records per second sustained - The hidden complexity behind migrations that look simple at the outset - How to avoid overbuilt ETL and CDC architectures, and move data incrementally without disruption This direct-access, no-code approach is delivered by PropelZ, VirtualZ's tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data — including VSAM — to the cloud and to targets like PostgreSQL, with no code and no homegrown pipelines. PropelZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: IBM Z modernization, VSAM, PostgreSQL, mainframe data migration, ETL alternative, CDC, no-code data integration, incremental data movement, z/OS, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

Why does data access — not application code — stall so many enterprise modernization initiatives? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, VirtualZ joins Progress Software to explore how organizations modernize data access across hybrid environments without disrupting the systems that run their business. Dennis Bennett, Principal Sales Engineer at Progress Software, joins VirtualZ Co-Founder and CTO Vince Re and VirtualZ Co-Founder Dustin Froyum to discuss how trusted enterprise connectivity and modern data movement work together to deliver secure, high-performance data integration. The conversation centers on transforming complex legacy data structures — including mainframe formats like VSAM — into modern, SQL-ready data that can power cloud databases, analytics platforms, and AI initiatives. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why data access has become the real bottleneck in enterprise modernization - How hybrid architectures support modern analytics without disrupting production systems - The role of high-performance enterprise connectivity in scalable data integration - How legacy mainframe data structures like VSAM are transformed into SQL-ready data - What secure, high-performance integration looks like across a hybrid IT environment On the VirtualZ side, this is powered by PropelZ, VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data — including VSAM — to cloud databases and analytics platforms, proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud. PropelZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: enterprise modernization, mainframe data access, VSAM, SQL, Progress Software, hybrid cloud, data integration, cloud databases, no-code data integration, IBM Z. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

Why do enterprises struggle to use their own data for AI — even when the data already exists? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, VirtualZ CEO Jeanne Glass lays out a 2026 framework for activating enterprise data across mainframe and cloud, instantly and safely, so AI initiatives aren't starved of the data they need. Jeanne Glass argues that modernization is no longer a migration project, that integration alone isn't enough, and that the real bottleneck for enterprise AI is reaching mainframe and legacy data without disruption. She outlines how forward-thinking CIOs are building AI-ready hybrid data platforms that make existing data accessible rather than moving and re-platforming everything first. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why enterprises can't reach their own data — the real constraint on enterprise AI - Why modernization is no longer a one-time migration project - Why data integration on its own doesn't solve the access problem - How CIOs build AI-ready hybrid data platforms without disrupting production systems - What it takes to deliver mainframe and cloud data to AI pipelines safely This is the problem VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio is built to solve: PropelZ (moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud, proven at 56,000 records per second), Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage) — making enterprise mainframe data accessible to cloud, analytics, and AI with no code and no homegrown pipelines. Topics: enterprise AI, AI-ready data, mainframe modernization, hybrid data platform, data access, IBM Z, cloud migration, CIO strategy, no-code data integration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

How can mainframe teams meet PCI DSS 4.0's tougher continuous-monitoring and audit requirements without custom scripting? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, co-founders Vince Re and Dustin Froyum explain how real-time, no-code data access from IBM Z to Splunk simplifies PCI DSS 4.0 compliance. PCI DSS 4.0 raises the bar for continuous evidence collection, monitoring, and audit readiness across all systems — and mainframes are now firmly in scope. Vince Re and Dustin Froyum unpack how the PropelZ Splunk Log Connector streams z/OS console messages directly into Splunk and JDBC targets like Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, BigQuery, and Redshift, with no scripting or replication. The episode also draws on rare firsthand history: Vince Re, original author of CA Top Secret and an early pioneer of enterprise cybersecurity, reflects on the origins of mainframe security, the evolution of audit logging, and his work validating early U.S. encryption standards. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - PCI DSS 4.0: what's new, and why mainframes are now firmly in scope - How the PropelZ Splunk Log Connector accelerates evidence collection and compliance workflows - The shift from manual scripts to governed, real-time data streams - Streaming z/OS console messages to Splunk and JDBC targets without replication - Lessons from the early days of enterprise cybersecurity and data protection The PropelZ Splunk Log Connector is part of PropelZ, VirtualZ's no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data — proven at 56,000 records per second, mainframe to cloud, with no code and no homegrown pipelines. PropelZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: PCI DSS 4.0, mainframe compliance, Splunk, z/OS, audit logging, IBM Z, cybersecurity, JDBC, real-time data streaming, no-code data integration. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What separates CIO visionaries from CIO operators in 2026, and how do you build an AI-ready enterprise without risky migrations? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, VirtualZ CEO Jeanne Glass shares a CIO vision for modernizing the enterprise without operational disruption — arguing that the real bottleneck for AI and modern analytics isn't infrastructure, it's access to trusted enterprise data. Jeanne Glass unpacks the architectural shift forward-thinking CIOs are making: real-time data access instead of wholesale migration, hybrid cloud execution, elastic storage modernization, and incremental transformation that turns legacy platforms into engines of innovation rather than projects to rip out. The throughline: modernization is no longer a migration project — it's a data strategy. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - What separates CIO visionaries from CIO operators in 2026 - Why access to trusted enterprise data, not infrastructure, is the real AI bottleneck - The shift from risky one-time migrations to real-time data access - Hybrid cloud execution, elastic storage modernization, and incremental transformation - How CIOs turn legacy platforms into engines of innovation without disruption This is the problem VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio is built to solve: PropelZ (moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud, proven at 56,000 records per second), Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage) — making enterprise data accessible to cloud, analytics, and AI with no code and no homegrown pipelines. Topics: CIO strategy, AI-ready enterprise, mainframe modernization, real-time data access, hybrid cloud, storage modernization, data strategy, IBM Z, no-code data integration, enterprise data. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

What does the future of ETL look like as enterprises move from batch processing to real-time, AI-ready data integration? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, Founder and CEO Jeanne Glass explains how traditional batch-based ETL is giving way to real-time, cloud-ready, AI-enabled data integration — and why operational data locked inside IBM Z systems is both the biggest constraint and the biggest opportunity in that shift. Jeanne Glass breaks down the major trends reshaping ETL and ELT — real-time integration, no-code platforms, cloud-based transformation, AI-driven data processing, and data virtualization — alongside the practical challenges enterprises face around security, governance, cost management, and the mainframe skills gap. She explains how modern approaches simplify mainframe data integration without custom coding, fragile pipelines, or disruptive migration. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why batch-based ETL is giving way to real-time, cloud-ready integration - The trends reshaping ETL and ELT: no-code platforms, cloud transformation, AI-driven processing, and data virtualization - Why IBM Z operational data is both the biggest constraint and the biggest opportunity for enterprise AI - The real challenges: security, governance, cost management, and the skills gap - How to unlock IBM Z data safely, incrementally, and at scale Jeanne points to VirtualZ's PropelZ as one modern approach: a no-code tool for moving and replicating IBM Z mainframe data to the cloud — proven at 56,000 records per second, with no code and no homegrown pipelines. PropelZ is part of VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data, alongside Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage). Topics: ETL, ELT, real-time data integration, mainframe modernization, IBM Z, data virtualization, AI data processing, no-code data integration, cloud migration, hybrid cloud. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

Why is digital transformation in 2026 no longer cloud-first, but data-first — and what does that mean for systems integrators and outsourcers? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, Founder and CEO Jeanne Glass explains why AI readiness is fundamentally a data access challenge, and how integrators delivering AI, analytics, hybrid cloud modernization, and storage transformation can turn that into faster outcomes and new revenue. Jeanne Glass breaks down why enterprises keep investing in AI platforms while business-critical operational data stays locked inside core IBM Z systems — and why hybrid is permanent, incremental modernization is now mandatory, and speed has become the competitive advantage. She makes the case that integrators win by unlocking operational data safely and immediately, rather than through disruptive migrations or fragile pipelines. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why transformation is now data-first, not cloud-first - Why AI readiness is fundamentally a data access challenge - Why hybrid environments are permanent and incremental modernization is mandatory - How systems integrators deliver faster outcomes, scalable execution, and reduced risk - How to unlock operational data safely, incrementally, and immediately Jeanne points to VirtualZ's AI-ready, no-code portfolio for enterprise mainframe data: PropelZ (moving and replicating IBM Z data to the cloud, proven at 56,000 records per second), Lozen (live in-place data access), FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive), and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage) — enabling integrators to deliver scalable data access with no code and no homegrown pipelines. Topics: data-first transformation, systems integrators, AI readiness, mainframe modernization, IBM Z, hybrid cloud, storage transformation, incremental modernization, no-code data integration, enterprise data. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

How are enterprise storage strategies changing in 2026, and what do customers actually need now? In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing, CEO Jeanne Glass explains how cost pressure, AI initiatives, and hybrid environments are pushing organizations away from pre-provisioned storage and long migration projects toward on-demand, elastic storage that delivers instant access and lower cost without disrupting mission-critical systems. Jeanne Glass breaks down the storage trends defining 2026: on-demand storage consumption, decoupling storage from access, hybrid cloud architectures, incremental modernization, support for AI and analytics workloads, and the shift from physical tape to cloud-based archival — all without application changes. The throughline is modernizing storage on the organization's own terms: faster, safer, and with zero disruption. In this episode of Skyward Data, the podcast from VirtualZ Computing: - Why enterprises are moving from pre-provisioned storage to on-demand, elastic models - Decoupling storage from access, and what that unlocks - Hybrid cloud storage architectures and incremental modernization - Supporting AI and analytics workloads without re-platforming - The shift from physical tape to cloud-based archival with no application changes This is what VirtualZ Computing's no-code portfolio is built for: FlowZ (cloud storage for backup and archive) and Zaac (cloud and SAN as native z/OS storage) modernize mainframe storage without application changes, alongside PropelZ (moving and replicating IBM Z data to the cloud, proven at 56,000 records per second) and Lozen (live in-place data access) — all with no code and no homegrown pipelines. Topics: enterprise storage, elastic storage, tape to cloud, cloud archival, hybrid cloud, storage modernization, IBM Z, z/OS, AI workloads, no-code data integration. Listen to more Skyward Data episodes: https://virtualzcomputing.com/podcasts/

In this episode of Skyward Data, Jeanne Glass, CEO of VirtualZ, explores how enterprises are rethinking data management and data access in 2026. As data becomes the asset shaping how organizations compete, comply, and innovate, customers are no longer asking for more pipelines or platforms. They’re looking for direct, secure access to trusted data—without disrupting the systems that already run the business. This episode covers the key trends defining modern data strategies, including access over movement, data-first architectures, AI readiness, hybrid and multi-cloud realities, no-code data access, built-in security and governance, incremental modernization, and the decoupling of storage from access. If you’re a CIO, CDO, data leader, or platform architect navigating modernization in regulated or hybrid environments, this episode offers a practical, customer-focused view of what matters now—and how enterprises are moving forward with confidence.

Mainframe modernization in 2026 isn’t about leaving the mainframe — it’s about using it better. In this episode of the Skyward Data Podcast, Jeanne Glass, CEO of VirtualZ, breaks down how enterprises are modernizing their mainframe environments without disruption. Learn why data-first strategies, AI readiness, hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, no-code integration, and instant storage are reshaping modernization efforts across regulated industries. If you’re responsible for enterprise data, analytics, AI, or modernization strategy, this episode offers a clear, practical view of what customers actually need now — and how leading organizations are moving forward safely and incrementally.

In this episode of the Skyward Data podcast, VirtualZ Computing Co-Founder Dustin Froyum sits down with Co-Founder and CTO Vince Re to explore how PropelZ™ runs on Windows to simplify enterprise data integration. The conversation focuses on one of the biggest challenges facing modern data teams: integrating data across mainframe, cloud, Linux, Windows, and legacy platforms without building complex, brittle ETL pipelines. Dustin and Vince break down how PropelZ uses a no-code, configuration-driven approach to move and transform data quickly, securely, and efficiently. You’ll hear a practical overview of PropelZ’s three-stage architecture—input, transformation (including incremental processing), and output—and how it behaves consistently across platforms while adapting to Windows-specific requirements like byte-stream files, record boundaries, and encoding differences. The episode also covers output options including JDBC databases and API-based integrations such as Splunk. In this episode, we discuss: The challenge of unified data integration across platforms How PropelZ eliminates custom ETL and scripting Running PropelZ on Windows vs. z/OS: what’s different and what stays the same Handling binary files, delimiters, record lengths, and code pages Flexible output targets, including databases and observability platforms Whether you’re modernizing legacy data flows, enabling analytics and AI, or simplifying cross-platform integration, this episode provides a clear, technical perspective on how PropelZ helps organizations move data without complexity. Learn more at virtualzcomputing.com or reach out at [email protected].

In this episode of Skyward Data, VirtualZ Co-Founders Dustin Froyum and Vince Re share how PropelZ™ brings no-code, governed data movement to the IBM i (AS/400) platform. They explore how IT teams can easily extract and stream IBM i data to modern analytics, observability, and AI platforms like Snowflake, BigQuery, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Splunk—without manual ETL or complex scripting. Key topics include: • Simplifying data access and report modernization on IBM i • Handling COBOL copybooks, record mapping, and data transformation • Real-time and batch pipelines for analytics and compliance • Rapid installation—install, configure, go in hours, not months • Pricing and licensing overview ($50K per OS per year, unlimited use) The conversation closes with a look at how PropelZ’s multi-platform runtime extends the same simplicity to IBM Z, Linux, UNIX, Windows, and macOS, giving enterprises a unified, no-code ELT engine across their hybrid environments. Learn more and request a briefing at VirtualZComputing.com/PropelZ #PropelZ #VirtualZComputing #IBMi #AS400 #DataIntegration #HybridCloud #AIData #DataPipeline #SkywardDataPodcast

In this episode of Skyward Data, VirtualZ CEO, Jeanne Glass, breaks down one of the most overlooked — yet essential — capabilities in modern data integration: data exclusion. Learn how VirtualZ Computing’s PropelZ™ gives organizations full control over what data moves, what stays behind, and how sensitive fields can be securely excluded or suppressed — all without coding or complex ETL. Jeanne explains how this no-code approach improves data governance, compliance, and performance by filtering and transforming data directly on the mainframe before it ever leaves the source. From real-world examples to best practices in hybrid cloud environments, this episode reveals how smarter data exclusion helps enterprises achieve faster, safer, and more efficient data movement for AI, analytics, and modernization initiatives. Key Topics: What data exclusion means and why it matters Row- and column-level control in PropelZ™ Governance, masking, and encryption at the source Performance gains through selective data movement Hybrid-cloud use cases across mainframe and distributed platforms Skyward Data explores real stories and strategies behind hybrid data access, AI-ready integration, and modernization — powered by VirtualZ Computing.