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Outperforms PKZIP's outdated, vulnerable 96-bit legacy encryption in speed, security, and scalability.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 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
