Connect/MP
The Top z/OS PKZIP® Replacement with 50% Savings Guarantee
Grok's Recommended Replacement for PKZIP® [ > ]
Grok’s Analysis-Based Recommendation
“For z/OS mainframes, Connect/ZIP (fka ZIP/390) leads third-party ZIP compression solutions with its exceptional price-performance ratio, up to 95% compression, zEDC/zIIP optimization, and robust security. Combined with JCL and API compatibility, it’s the ideal replacement for PKZIP for z/OS—reducing costs without sacrificing performance or functionality.”
Immediate and Long-Term Savings
- Substantial Cost Savings: Guaranteed reduction in annual costs, potential future CPC upgrade, and feature upgrade fees.
- Lifetime Fixed per-MIPS rate: Lock's in predictable costs.
- No Payment Until Renewal: Start using Connect/ZIP now, pay at your next PKZIP renewal - just pay less.
Regulation-Compliant AES-256 Encryption
Free upgrade to hardware-accelerated, quantum-resilient AES-256 - the gold standard in encryption.
Outperforms PKZIP's outdated, vulnerable 96-bit legacy encryption in speed, security, and scalability.
- Securely archive & share across 7-zip, WinZip, SecureZip, and more
- A cost effective alternative to upgrading from PKZIP to SecureZIP
Why It's the Easy Choice
Superior Performance: Matches or exceeds PKZIP's compression ratios, speed and CPU savings via zEDC/zIIP.
Zero Disruption: JCL and API compatibiity for a seamless switch.
Value-Added Features: AES Encryption, JES integration, PDF maker, email client, high-speed file transfer, hybrid app integration, and web-based legacy modernization.
Resources
Connect/ZIP
(fka ZIP/390)
z/OS, z/Linux, Linux x86, Windows, MacOS
Surprising to many is the fact that Data21 has been in the mainframe ZIP compression space longer than PKWARE.
PKZIP® for z/OS was originally developed and marketed by Ascent Solutions Inc., which licensed the branding rights from Phil Katz (the “PK” in PKWARE) in 1993. Just two years later, in 1995, Data21 became an authorized reseller of Ascent Solutions—quickly becoming its most prolific partner.
When Phil Katz passed away in 2000, an investment firm acquired PKWARE from the Katz family. A few years later, that same firm acquired Ascent Solutions, bringing PKZIP for z/OS under the PKWARE umbrella.
Soon after, PKWARE terminated reseller agreements—including ours. Determined to preserve the value of years of expertise and investment in the mainframe ZIP space, we developed our own solution: ZIP/390 for z/OS, completing our first PKZIP replacement in 2004.
Developed entirely by Data21’s in-house development team, the product continues to evolve. Now rebranded as Connect/ZIP—a key component of the Connect/MP Suite—it has been continuously enhanced to deliver greater value for customers. Today, our development team is focused on embedding AI-driven innovations to boost efficiency, adaptability, intelligence and value across the Connect/MP product line—ensuring it remains aligned with the demands of modern mainframe environments.
With over 40 years of in-house mainframe software development and support experience, Data21 delivers a level of product stability and technical support that few providers can match. Our customers rely on a proven track record of dependable performance and responsive, expert service. Beyond our mainframe expertise, our development and support teams have deep experience across enterprise IT environments—including Linux, Windows, web technologies and network infrastructure. This broad technical foundation enables us to understand the full scope of our customers’ environments and provide comprehensive, end-to-end support across platforms.
We’re proud to serve a global base of loyal customers—including many of the world’s most prestigious companies.
Connect/ZIP vs. PKZIP vs. SecureZIP vs. Basic Tools
| z/OS Feature | Connect/ZIP | PKZIP | SecureZIP | Basic ZIP Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression Efficiency | Up to 95% | Up to 95% | Up to 95% | 80-90% |
| zEDC Acceleration | Compression, Decompression, CRC | Compression, Decompression | Compression, Decompression | Often absent |
| z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Often absent |
| AES Encryption | 128/256-bit, ZIP-compliant (create & decrypt) | Decrypt only (legacy 96-bit create) | 128/256-bit, ZIP-compliant (create & decrypt) | Limited or none |
| JCL Compatibility | Yes | N/A | N/A | Partial or none |
| JES Writer & PDF Integration | Yes | No | No | No |
| Integrated Email & File Transfer | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | Varies but hidden CPU costs |
| Connect/Web (Legacy Modernization) | Included: Web Server with out-of-the-box support for traditional and modern CGI scripting (eg. REXX, Java, Python, PHP). | No | No | No |
| Connect/Hybrid (Application Integration) | Included: Hybrid application integration and high-speed file transfer | No | No | No |
Based on 2025 benchmarks. Connect/ZIP's zEDC/zIIP optimization, native AES, and pricing make it the top alternative - especially for PKZIP for z/OS users needing encryption without SecureZIP's premium or for companies just looking to cut costs without sacrificing performance. With Connect/MP Suite, replacing PKZIP for z/OS unlocks exclusive Connect/Hybrid and Connect/Web features for hybrid integration and legacy modernization at no added cost.
FAQs: Replacing PKZIP with Connect/MP
How does Connect/ZIP reduce mainframe costs?
50% lower subscriptions, fixed per-MIPS rates, and superior zEDC/zIIP offload cut licensing, CPU, and storage costs, unlike basic ZIP tools with high overhead.
How is the 50% savings guaranteed?
Our subscription is 50% lower than PKWARE’s for equivalent licenses, validated by 2025 benchmarks and our pricing commitment.
How does Connect/ZIP outperform PKZIP?
It matches 95% compression but better leverages z15/z16 hardware for faster processing on specific datasets, reducing CPU and batch times.
How easy is the transition?
JCL and API compatibility means existing PKZIP for z/OS jobs and applications run unchanged in most cases. No disruption for operations, developers or end-users.
Why is zEDC/ZIIP and AES Encryption Critical?
zEDC and zIIP cut CPU usage by 50-70%, boosting z/OS cost and performance efficiency. Connect/ZIP’s AES-256 encryption, powered by CPACF hardware, delivers secure, compliant file sharing with minimal overhead and faster processing—unlike PKZIP for z/OS’s outdated, crackable ZIP legacy encryption, which lacks hardware acceleration and burdens CPUs.
What’s the benefit of fixed per-MIPS rates?
Predictable costs protect your budget from MIPS-related price hikes.
How does no-payment-until-renewal work?
Use Connect/ZIP now, pay only at your next PKZIP for z/OS renewal, aligning with your budget cycle.
Customer Reviews
The solution delivered 100% of the advertised benefits, including savings of over 60% in related software costs. The installation was easy, requiring no changes to our production jobs, for operations or end-users. We are highly satisfied with the purchase and I have no reservations recommending the product.
★★★★★ Mainframe Systems Programmer - Fortune 500 Rail Transportation Co.
Very easy installation and a very good transition experience. All of our existing zip jobs ran unchanged. The technical team has been very helpful and responded quickly to our issues with superior environment and product knowledge. I would recommend this solution to a colleague.
★★★★★ Mainframe Network Engineer - Fortune 100 Financial Services Firm