Executive Summary
Enterprises migrating tape data to the cloud have two distinct paths, depending on how that data will be used after migration.
VirtualZ supports both approaches, allowing organizations to modernize tape storage without forcing a one-size-fits-all architecture.
- PropelZ™ is ideal when tape data is being replicated and transformed for analytics, AI, reporting, or downstream applications.
- FlowZ™ is ideal when tape data must remain file-based and continue to be accessed by z/OS applications, even after moving to cloud storage.
Both solutions are out-of-the-box, zIIP-eligible, and cloud-agnostic.
Modernizing Tape Storage for 2026
Physical tape and virtual tape libraries remain reliable — but they are no longer economical or flexible enough for modern enterprise needs. Organizations are migrating tape data to the cloud to:
- Reduce storage and maintenance costs
- Improve access to historical data
- Eliminate hardware refresh cycles
- Support modernization, analytics, and compliance initiatives
VirtualZ enables this transition without custom code, without application rewrites, and without operational disruption.
FlowZ vs. PropelZ for Tape Migration
How to Choose the Right Approach
Both FlowZ and PropelZ can be used for tape-to-cloud migration. The right choice depends on two key questions.
| Key Question | Choose PropelZ™ | Choose FlowZ™ |
|---|---|---|
| How will the data be stored in the cloud? | Database tables | Files / object storage |
| Will z/OS applications access the data after migratioin? | No | Yes |
| Primary use case | Analytics, AI, reporting | Archive, backup, active tape |
| Replication only? | Yes | No |
| Application changes required | No | No |
| Cloud & on-prem support | Yes | Yes |
| zIIP eligible | Yes | Yes |
In summary, use PropelZ when:
- Tape data is being copied off the mainframe
- The destination is a database
- Data will be consumed by analytics, AI, or cloud applications
- z/OS applications will not continue accessing the data
And use FlowZ when:
- Tape data must remain file-based
- z/OS applications must continue reading or writing tape data
- Cloud storage should behave like an extension of existing tape infrastructure
Key Capabilities (Both Solutions)
- Automated Tape Data Discovery: Automatically identify and catalog datasets across physical tape and VTL environments.
- High-Volume Migration: Optimized batch processing minimizes network impact and operational risk.
- Cloud & On-Prem Support: Supports AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, IBM Cloud, and low-cost on-prem object storage.
- Data Integrity & Validation: End-to-end verification ensures migrated data is complete and accessible.
- Cost Optimization: Reduce or eliminate the expense of physical tape libraries and VTL platforms.
- zIIP Eligibility: Migration workloads can run on zIIP engines, reducing general-purpose CPU usage.
Benefits of Tape to Cloud Migration with VirtualZ
- Lower Storage Costs: Replace fixed, capital-intensive tape infrastructure with scalable cloud storage.
- Improved Access to Historical Data: Make tape data usable by modern platforms without complex ETL pipelines.
- Elastic Capacity: Scale storage up or down based on actual needs.
- Resilience & Security: Leverage cloud encryption, replication, and durability features.
- Operational Simplicity: Install, configure, and run — without rewriting applications or changing workflows.
Conclusion
VirtualZ enables organizations to modernize tape storage on their own terms.
- PropelZ™ is best when tape data is being replicated and transformed for downstream use.
- FlowZ™ is best when tape data must remain actively accessible to z/OS applications after migration.
Both approaches eliminate legacy tape inefficiencies while preserving performance, governance, and control.
Next Steps
- Schedule a PropelZ™ or FlowZ™ briefing.
- Watch the Mainframe Tape to Cloud webinar.
- Watch Jerry Edgington discuss the quick and easy installation of VirtualZ solutions at Pellera (formerly Mainline/Converge).
Learn More
- Visit our Customer Briefing Center for product briefings, deep dives, and proofs of concept.
- Explore our YouTube channel for product demos, webinars, and podcasts.
- Read our blog and explore our Use Cases, Thought Leadership papers, and Solution Briefs.
- Still have questions? Contact us.
