z/OS
Download the Connect/ZIP Brochure (PDF)
A Connect/MP Component
Enterprise-Grade ZIP Compression,
That Means Business.
Connect/ZIP
95%
Max Compression
Ratio
256-bit
AES Strong
Encryption
zEDC
Native Hardware
Acceleration
4GB+
ZIP64 File
Size Support
4
Supported
Platforms
File Exchange
Fast, Efficient File Exchange
ZIP files streamline business workflows by compressing data by up to 95%, consolidating multiple files into one, ensuring compatibility across platforms and ZIP tools — leveraging a widely recognized, trusted format.
Encryption
128/256-bit AES Encryption
ZIP’s AES password encryption simplifies secure file sharing across platforms and ZIP tools, protecting sensitive data during storage and transfer — potentially reducing reliance on more complex and costly secure file-sharing solutions.
Big Data
Built for Big Data
ZIP/64 support combined with zSeries zEDC and zIIP utilization enables high-performance native processing of very large files and archives (4GB+) — ideal for enterprise-scale datasets and high-volume data exchange and archiving.
PKZIP Replacement
Save 50%. Then Spend It Wisely.
Connect/ZIP delivers full PKZIP compatibility at half the real-dollar cost — with bundled Server licenses at no charge. For high-MSU shops, the savings are substantial enough to offset licensing Connect/AI or Connect/3270. One migration, two wins.
See the ComparisonRelated Insights
Connect/ZIP
What’s Included With Your License
Governed MCP API access for JES, Files, and 3270 for your own scripts and agents, plus the chat-only Web Workspace — at no extra cost. Connect/AI adds agentic execution: workspace tool use and native batch inference invoked from JCL.
Connect/MP is a powerful, enterprise-grade solution that combines industry-leading ZIP compression, seamless cross-platform integration, and robust legacy modernization capabilities. Unlike traditional approaches that require multiple tools and costly licensing, Connect/MP delivers these features in a unified platform—at a lower cost than comparable standalone mainframe ZIP solutions. It’s a smart, cost-effective investment for organizations looking to reduce operational overhead, streamline data exchange, and maximize the value of their existing mainframe infrastructure with modern, scalable access.
Whether you're modernizing core business systems, embracing hybrid cloud strategies, or enabling secure, real-time data sharing across platforms, Connect/MP delivers the performance, flexibility, and ROI your enterprise needs.
Connect/MP › Connect/ZIP
Features
General features
Unsurpassed Compression
Up to 95% compression ratio
A 100 MB file can shrink to as little as 5 MB — reducing storage costs, speeding transfers, and streamlining workflows across z/OS, USS, and other platforms.
Archive Maintenance
ADD, UPDATE, FRESHEN, COPY, DELETE
Full lifecycle control over archive contents. Insert new files, replace outdated ones, selectively freshen changed entries, duplicate across archives, or cleanly remove specified files.
AES Encryption
128-bit and 256-bit passphrase protection
Each file in the archive is individually encrypted using industry-standard AES. Encryption integrates seamlessly into ADD and UPDATE operations — just supply a password.
Large File (ZIP64) Support
Files > 4 GB, archives > 65,535 entries
ZIP64 is activated automatically when needed. No manual configuration required. Full compatibility with modern ZIP64-aware tools and systems.
Unicode Encoding
UTF-8 support for international characters
Accurately handles Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, accented European characters, and more. Ensures compatibility with modern ZIP utilities across all operating systems.
CRC32 Integrity Check
Automatic data verification
Every file is assigned a CRC32 checksum on compression and verified on extraction. On z/OS, checks are offloaded to zEDC hardware when available, reducing CPU overhead.
Wildcard Selection & Renaming
Pattern-based file handling
Use * wildcards to include, exclude, or rename files in batch. Add prefixes, change extensions, or restructure paths dynamically — ideal for large-scale automation.
Multi-Platform Support — One Compatible Ecosystem
Up to 3 CLI Server instances for Linux x86, Windows, and macOS are included with your z/OS license
Connect/ZIP delivers full multi-platform support with CLI Versions for Linux x86, Windows, and macOS — up to 3 server instances included with a standard z/OS license, additional instances available. This provides a single source, 100% compatible Connect/ZIP ecosystem across your entire enterprise.
Key Benefits:
• Consistent ZIP compression, AES encryption, and archiving behavior everywhere.
• Simplify cross-platform file exchange, automation scripts, and hybrid workflows.
• No additional licensing or compatibility issues — develop once, deploy anywhere.
True enterprise-wide ZIP compatibility from the mainframe to distributed platforms — all under one license.
Key Benefits:
• Consistent ZIP compression, AES encryption, and archiving behavior everywhere.
• Simplify cross-platform file exchange, automation scripts, and hybrid workflows.
• No additional licensing or compatibility issues — develop once, deploy anywhere.
True enterprise-wide ZIP compatibility from the mainframe to distributed platforms — all under one license.
Mainframe-specific features
z/OS and USS Native
Bi-directional cross-environment access
Runs natively in both z/OS and Unix System Services. z/OS jobs can read and compress USS files; USS processes can handle sequential, PDS, and PDSE datasets — no intermediate transfers needed.
zEDC & zIIP Acceleration
Hardware-offloaded compression
Leverages built-in zEDC processors for high-speed compression and decompression. Falls back automatically to zIIP software compression when hardware is unavailable, minimizing GP processor usage.
Mainframe File Attributes
Preserved RECFM, LRECL, BLKSIZE
Stores dataset attributes (RECFM, LRECL, BLKSIZE, DSORG) inside the archive. On extraction, Connect/ZIP performs dynamic allocation automatically — restoring files with the correct definitions without manual intervention.
Our Story
Connect/ZIP (fka ZIP/390) Timeline
Surprising to many is the fact that Data 21 has been in the mainframe ZIP compression space longer than PKWARE.
1993
PKZIP® for z/OS is born
Ascent Solutions Inc. develops and markets PKZIP® for z/OS, licensing the brand from Phil Katz — the “PK” in PKWARE.
1995
Data 21 becomes Ascent Solutions’ top reseller
Data 21 joins as an authorized reseller of Ascent Solutions — quickly becoming its most prolific partner.
2000
Phil Katz passes away — PKWARE changes hands
Following Phil Katz’s death, an investment firm acquires PKWARE from the Katz family.
Early 2000s
Ascent Solutions absorbed into PKWARE
The same investment firm acquires Ascent Solutions, folding PKZIP for z/OS under the PKWARE umbrella — and terminating reseller agreements, including Data 21’s.
2004
Data 21 builds its own solution — ZIP/390
Rather than walk away from decades of expertise, Data 21 builds ZIP/390 for z/OS in-house and completes its first PKZIP replacement installation.
2004 – 2025
Continuous evolution — ZIP/390 MP
ZIP/390 is continuously enhanced and grows its customer base, with many organizations making the switch from PKZIP. The product evolves into ZIP/390 MP, expanding its capabilities across multiple platforms.
October 2025
Rebranded as Connect/ZIP
ZIP/390 MP is officially rebranded as Connect/ZIP — a key component of the Connect/MP Suite. The development team shifts focus to embedding AI-driven innovations across the entire product line.
Today
45+ years of mainframe expertise — and counting
With over 45 years of in-house mainframe development and support experience, Data 21 serves a global base of customers — including many of the world’s most prestigious companies.
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Product Update
ZIP/390 MP is now Connect/ZIP
ZIP/390 MP has been rebranded to Connect/ZIP — the same industry-leading mainframe ZIP compression you rely on, now part of the Connect/MP Suite.
Connect/MP brings together ZIP compression, cross-platform integration, web gateway access, and more — all in a single, cost-effective mainframe platform. Continue below to learn everything Connect/ZIP has to offer.