As enterprises enter 2026, one thing is clear: data access — not data movement — is defining how organizations modernize, adopt AI, and operate securely across hybrid environments. This month’s issue reflects that shift in a big way.
From a major new PropelZ driver release for Snowflake, to independent market recognition from ISG, to real-world customer momentum and upcoming events with AWS and Google Cloud, January is all about turning strategy into action.
Whether you’re focused on accelerating analytics, enabling AI, simplifying modernization, or strengthening governance, this issue highlights how VirtualZ is helping customers move faster — without disruption, custom code, or compromise.
Let’s dive in.
Featured Event
February 10th: AWS Partner Cast — Leveraging VirtualZ Lozen in Your Mainframe Modernization Journey, featuring integration with Rocket Enterprise Server.
In this AWS PartnerCast, AWS showcases how VirtualZ’s Lozen can serve as a seamless, no-code data access layer as part of your mainframe modernization journey.
A key feature of this solution is Lozen’s native integration with Rocket Enterprise Server, which enables COBOL applications running on distributed platforms — such as Windows, Linux, or cloud environments — to read and write to IBM Z data sets (like VSAM) in real time, without code changes or replication.
Product Announcement
Featuring PropelZ Driver for Snowflake
PropelZ for Snowflake is the first and only out-of-the-box solution that installs in minutes, runs the same day, and continuously moves data from mainframe and multi-platform systems to the cloud — securely, efficiently, and without code.
Key Features:
- No-Code ELT and Data Replication
Automates extraction, transformation, and delivery of structured data from mainframe and distributed systems into Snowflake — enabling continuous, governed replication without custom coding. - Cloud-Native Integration
Optimized for Snowflake’s architecture, PropelZ ensures seamless, high-performance data transfer across hybrid environments so that teams work with current, consistent data in near real time. - In-Flight Data Transformation
Converts VSAM, sequential, relational, and flat-file data into SQL-ready formats using no-code mappings that simplify normalization, enrichment, and compliance. - Optimized for Every Platform
On IBM Z, PropelZ is zIIP-eligible, minimizing MIPS impact. On distributed systems, it runs natively in any Java-enabled environment, ensuring consistent performance everywhere.
New on the Blog
Accessing What Matters is 2026 | Secure Data Strategies for Modern Enterprises.
In 2026, data is no longer something enterprises manage in the background — it’s the asset shaping how they compete, comply, and innovate across every environment.
Customers aren’t asking for more pipelines, tools, or platforms to manage.
They’re asking for direct, secure access to trusted data — access that’s faster, simpler, and safer, without disrupting the systems that already run the business.
In the blog are the defining trends shaping data management and data access in 2026, and how VirtualZ helps customers meet them.
In the News
VirtualZ Recognized as an ISG Provider Lens Contender
We’re pleased to share that ISG Provider Lens has recognized VirtualZ Computing as a Contender in the Mainframes – Services and Solutions 2026 study across three key areas:
- Application Modernization Software – Global
- Mainframe Technology Consulting – U.S.
- Mainframe Technology Consulting – U.S. Public Sector
ISG Provider Lens is a respected, independent research framework used by enterprises, financial institutions, and government organizations to evaluate and select technology and services partners. Being positioned as a Contender reflects ISG’s assessment of VirtualZ’s growing market presence, solution strength, and customer impact.
Publication Coming in April.
Upcoming Events
Learn. Modernize. Master your data.
February 10th: AWS Partner Cast — Leveraging VirtualZ Lozen in Your Mainframe Modernization Journey, featuring integration with Rocket Enterprise Server.
Register or Listen on Demand
April 22nd: Meet VirtualZ at Google Cloud Next: AI-Ready Data Access and Modernization.
Request a Meeting
Coming Soon: A special webinar hosted by Progress DataDirect, whose enterprise-grade drivers power PropelZ. Progress will showcase real-world integrations and demonstrate how PropelZ delivers secure, no-code data access across enterprise platforms. Their sponsorship reflects strong partner confidence and serves as independent market validation of PropelZ’s growing role as a trusted enterprise data access layer.
On the Skyward Data Podcast
PropelZ on Windows
This episode 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.
Skyward Data is THE podcast for professionals who want to gain a competitive edge in the evolving data landscape. Join us on your favorite platform, and subscribe to remain ahead of the competition.
On-Demand Customer Briefings
Today’s enterprise leaders want insight, not a sales pitch. That’s why we created the VirtualZ Customer Briefing Center — a self-paced, no-pressure environment where you can explore our patented, no-code data access software when and how it works for you.
“These briefings are designed to put customers in control. They make it easy to explore how our solutions solve real-world problems — at your own pace, with clarity and no noise.”
— Vince Re, CTO, VirtualZ Computing
Thank you!
Thanks for spending a few minutes with us this month.
Whether you’re modernizing storage, accelerating AI, or powering compliance, VirtualZ is here to help you unlock mainframe data with less friction — with our no-code solutions, you can start delivering results today.
Ready when you are:
- Explore at your own pace in the Customer Briefing Center
- Watch demos and webinars anytime on YouTube
- Reach out directly at hello@virtualz.dkodetech.com
See you next month with more ways to modernize, integrate, and accelerate.
— The VirtualZ Team