Skyward Data

VirtualZ
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Conversations That Power Smarter Data Strategies for AI, Cloud, and Innovation. Skyward Data brings you exclusive conversations with experts shaping the future of enterprise data. Discover how organizations are transforming data access, storage, and AI integration to fuel faster innovation and smarter decisions. Each episode explores how to unlock the full power of your enterprise data—whether it lives on IBM Z, in the cloud, or deep in decades-old tape archives. We dive into real-world stories, bold ideas, and practical strategies for making mainframe and legacy data instantly accessible for AI, analytics, compliance, and modernization. If you're building smarter systems, training better models, or powering transformation with trusted data—Skyward Data is your guide. No fluff. No jargon. Just smart conversations about enterprise data, done right. Learn more at virtualzcomputing.com #AI #Mainframe #EnterpriseData #HybridCloud #DataAccess #SkywardData #VirtualZComputing

  1. 13H AGO

    How Database-Driven Integration Eliminates the Need for COBOL Copybooks

    Tired of spending weeks creating COBOL copybooks just to move database data? VirtualZ CTO Vince Re reveals how PropelZ's automatic metadata discovery is eliminating copybook hell for database integration—and why your next DB2-to-Snowflake migration might take minutes instead of months. This episode exposes the secret every mainframe professional knows but won't admit: copybook creation for database integration is a productivity killer that's been holding back data projects for decades. Discover why forward-thinking enterprises are skipping manual metadata management for database-driven integration that "just works." What you'll learn: Why "write a SQL query and run the pipeline" is replacing weeks of copybook engineering How automatic metadata extraction eliminates the #1 PropelZ adoption barrier for database projects Real scenarios: DB2 table migration that went from complex to trivial overnight The truth about why your database integration projects take 80% longer than they should How self-describing databases make COBOL expertise optional (not required) for data movement The controversial claim: If you're still manually creating copybooks for database integration in 2026, you're doing it the hard way. Vince explains why the smartest teams are abandoning traditional approaches for metadata automation that scales from simple migrations to billion-row analytics projects. Perfect for fed-up mainframe developers, integration architects tired of copybook nightmares, and IT leaders questioning why database integration is still so complicated. Warning: This episode will make you reconsider every database copybook you've ever written.

    8 min
  2. Million-File Migrations: How PropelZ Multiplexer Handles Enterprise Scale

    MAY 5

    Million-File Migrations: How PropelZ Multiplexer Handles Enterprise Scale

    When you need to migrate 200,000+ mainframe datasets to the cloud, individual file transfers don't scale. In this episode of Skyward Data, VirtualZ CTO Vince Re explains how PropelZ Multiplexer transforms massive data migrations from operational nightmares into manageable, automated processes. Learn how inventory-driven migration processing can reduce months-long projects to weeks, with parallel execution that handles hundreds of transfers simultaneously. Discover why enterprises are choosing intelligent queue management over traditional one-at-a-time approaches for virtual tape library migrations, application modernization, and large-scale cloud transitions. Key topics include: Real-world performance: 100-200 parallel transfers processing thousands of datasets per hour Comprehensive status tracking that transforms black-box operations into transparent processes Integration with existing automation infrastructure and help desk systems Beyond migration: compliance archiving, disaster recovery, and data center consolidation Perfect for IT leaders planning large-scale mainframe data projects, operations teams managing enterprise migrations, and anyone dealing with the operational complexity of moving massive amounts of archived data to modern storage platforms. Skyward Data explores the intersection of mainframe systems and modern cloud infrastructure, featuring practical insights from VirtualZ Computing's real-world customer implementations.

    12 min
  3. PropelZ 2.0 Launch: Customer-Driven Innovation in Mainframe Integration

    APR 28

    PropelZ 2.0 Launch: Customer-Driven Innovation in Mainframe Integration

    VirtualZ CTO Vince Re announces the major 2.0 release of PropelZ, packed with dozens of customer-requested features that transform enterprise mainframe data integration. From 60% performance improvements to seamless binary data handling, this isn't just an update—it's a fundamental leap forward. Discover the breakthrough features driving this release: Custom input/output handlers with variable-length record support and binary data processing Revolutionary Java method integration delivering 60% throughput improvements for billion-row scenarios Enhanced incremental processing with minimal-change algorithms that optimize database updates Enterprise-grade features including Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for security compliance Simplified configuration management and multi-line parameter support Databricks connectivity and SOCKS proxy support for complex network environments Learn how real customer challenges drove innovation—from a retailers binary data requirements to a financial services customer's billion-row processing needs to a large mainframe outsourcers enterprise connectivity demands. Vince shares the technical details behind each enhancement and explains how PropelZ 2.0 solves the integration problems enterprises face today. Essential listening for mainframe professionals planning data modernization projects, IT architects evaluating integration platforms, and anyone managing large-scale data movement between legacy systems and cloud platforms. Skyward Data brings you inside perspectives on mainframe modernization and enterprise data integration from VirtualZ Computing's technical leadership team.

    11 min
  4. PropelZ™ for Linux — Modern Data Movement Beyond the Mainframe

    APR 14

    PropelZ™ for Linux — Modern Data Movement Beyond the Mainframe

    The mainframe has always been the gold standard for mission-critical data. But what happens when that data needs to move — to the cloud, to analytics platforms, to AI pipelines — from anywhere, not just z/OS? In this episode, VirtualZ Co-Founder and CTO Vince Re joins Co-Founder Dustin Froyum to introduce PropelZ for Linux, the multi-platform extension of VirtualZ's proven data movement engine. If you've been following our journey on Skyward Data, you know PropelZ has already delivered some jaw-dropping results on IBM Z. This episode is about what happens when you take that same engine and run it anywhere Java runs. What we cover: Vince walks through the architecture behind PropelZ for Linux — why the core engine translates so cleanly across platforms, where the differences lie, and why those differences are smaller than you'd expect. He also digs into the security capabilities that enterprise teams care most about: field-level filtering, data masking, SSL/TLS support, and how to sanitize sensitive data before it ever reaches its target. Dustin and Vince also revisit a story that's become something of a cautionary tale in enterprise data circles — a large financial services firm that spent two years and significant resources trying to get a legacy ETL solution working, ultimately abandoning it entirely. Their experience with PropelZ? Up and running the next day. The episode closes with a look at the Multiplexer — PropelZ's parallel processing capability that lets customers move millions of files simultaneously, using full available network bandwidth to dramatically compress migration timelines. Key takeaways: PropelZ runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, IBM i, UNIX, and any Java-enabled environment 150–200% throughput improvement over existing ETL solutions, right out of the box 26,000 rows per second to cloud-based Postgres — multiple terabytes per hour Zero code, fully declarative setup — up and running in minutes to hours If your organization is dealing with data integration complexity, legacy ETL pain, or modernization timelines that keep slipping — this episode is for you. Find PropelZ resources, demos, and pricing at virtualzcomputing.com. Questions? Reach us at hello@virtualzcomputing.com.

    41 min
  5. 460K VSAM Records in 25 Seconds: Rethinking VSAM → PostgreSQL at Enterprise Scale

    APR 7

    460K VSAM Records in 25 Seconds: Rethinking VSAM → PostgreSQL at Enterprise Scale

    What really slows down IBM Z modernization? It’s not the application code. It’s the data. In this episode of Skyward Data, Dusty Froyum (Co-Founder, VirtualZ) and Marc Sokol (Executive Chairman, former SVP at CA Technologies) break down what’s actually happening inside enterprise VSAM → PostgreSQL migrations — and why data execution is often the hardest part to get right. They walk through real-world results, including: 460,000 VSAM records moved to PostgreSQL in 25 seconds 60.9 million records delivered in 18 minutes (~56K/sec sustained) But the conversation goes beyond performance. You’ll hear how modernization efforts often start as “simple migrations” — only to become complex when data dependencies, stale datasets, and heavy ETL or CDC architectures enter the picture. Marc shares firsthand experience from decades in the mainframe world, including why so many migration programs slow down at the data layer — and what changes when execution becomes predictable. Dusty outlines how a no-code, direct-access approach can simplify architecture, reduce operational complexity, and help teams meet tight migration windows without over-engineering the solution. Why data — not code — delays modernization The hidden complexity behind “simple” migrations How to avoid overbuilt ETL and CDC architectures Incremental data movement without disruption What predictable execution looks like at enterprise scale Visit: www.virtualzcomputing.com Or reach out: hello@virtualzcomputing.com

    37 min
  6. The Next Evolution of Enterprise Data Access | Progress + VirtualZ

    MAR 31

    The Next Evolution of Enterprise Data Access | Progress + VirtualZ

    Podcast Description Enterprise modernization is accelerating — but many initiatives still stall for one simple reason: data access. In this episode of the Skyward Data Podcast, VirtualZ joins Progress Software to explore how organizations are modernizing data access across hybrid environments without disrupting the systems that run their business. Dennis Bennett, Principal Sales Engineer at Progress, joins Vince Re, Co-Founder and CTO of VirtualZ, and Dustin Froyum, Co-Founder of VirtualZ, to discuss how trusted enterprise connectivity and modern data innovation work together to deliver secure, high-performance data integration. The conversation covers how organizations are 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. You’ll learn: • Why data access has become the real modernization bottleneck • How hybrid architectures can support modern analytics without disrupting production systems • The role of high-performance enterprise connectivity in scalable data integration • How legacy data structures can be transformed for modern platforms For architects, data leaders, and modernization teams navigating hybrid IT environments, this discussion provides practical insight into building a more flexible and resilient enterprise data architecture.

    52 min
  7. Your AI Problem Isn’t AI — It’s Data Access. Empower What You’ve Built.

    MAR 24

    Your AI Problem Isn’t AI — It’s Data Access. Empower What You’ve Built.

    Enterprises aren’t struggling to build AI. They’re struggling to reach their own data. In this episode of Skyward Data, Jeanne Glass breaks down the 2026 framework for activating enterprise data across mainframe and cloud — instantly and safely. Learn why modernization is no longer a migration project, why integration isn’t enough, and how forward-thinking CIOs are building AI-ready hybrid data platforms without disruption. Your AI needs data. This episode explains how to deliver it.

    7 min
  8. PropelZ™ for PCI DSS 4.0: Accelerating Evidence Collection with Splunk

    MAR 17

    PropelZ™ for PCI DSS 4.0: Accelerating Evidence Collection with Splunk

    In this episode, VirtualZ Computing co-founders Vince Re and Dustin Froyum explore how enterprises can simplify PCI DSS 4.0 compliance with real-time, no-code data access from the mainframe to Splunk. PCI DSS 4.0 raises the bar for continuous evidence collection, monitoring, and audit readiness across all systems—including IBM Z. Vince and Dustin unpack how the PropelZ Splunk Log Connector enables mainframe teams to stream z/OS console messages directly into Splunk and JDBC targets (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift) without scripting or replication. You’ll also hear Vince Re, original author of CA Top Secret and one of the early pioneers of enterprise cybersecurity, reflect on the origins of mainframe security, the evolution of audit logging, and his experience validating early U.S. encryption standards. Key topics: PCI DSS 4.0: What’s new and why mainframes are now firmly in scope How PropelZ accelerates evidence collection and compliance workflows The shift from manual scripts to governed, real-time data streams Lessons from the early days of cybersecurity and data protection Learn more at virtualzcomputing.com, explore our Customer Briefing Center, and follow Skyward Data wherever you get your podcasts.

    43 min
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About

Conversations That Power Smarter Data Strategies for AI, Cloud, and Innovation. Skyward Data brings you exclusive conversations with experts shaping the future of enterprise data. Discover how organizations are transforming data access, storage, and AI integration to fuel faster innovation and smarter decisions. Each episode explores how to unlock the full power of your enterprise data—whether it lives on IBM Z, in the cloud, or deep in decades-old tape archives. We dive into real-world stories, bold ideas, and practical strategies for making mainframe and legacy data instantly accessible for AI, analytics, compliance, and modernization. If you're building smarter systems, training better models, or powering transformation with trusted data—Skyward Data is your guide. No fluff. No jargon. Just smart conversations about enterprise data, done right. Learn more at virtualzcomputing.com #AI #Mainframe #EnterpriseData #HybridCloud #DataAccess #SkywardData #VirtualZComputing

Information

  • Creator
    VirtualZ
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Skyward Data