Zaac™ Use Cases

Instant Storage. Seamless Access. Built for the Future of Mainframe Data.

Zaac by VirtualZ Computing™ is the only no-code solution that delivers both virtual disk and virtual tape storage out of the box — eliminating the cost, delay, and complexity of traditional DASD and tape systems. A versatile solution with many use cases, Zaac enables instant, scalable, secure access to storage across hybrid environments — connecting your IBM Z systems directly to cloud and SAN without rewrites, rehosting, or reconfiguration.

From dynamic storage provisioning to disaster recovery and DevOps enablement, Zaac unlocks a new era of mainframe storage modernization.

Install in Hours. Scale in Seconds.

Zaac delivers on-demand storage where and when you need it:

  • Installs quickly with no code or specialized skills
  • Requires no hardware upgrades or replatforming
  • Works seamlessly with existing mainframe workflows

It’s everything storage should be — instant, intelligent, and integrated.

Zaac Use Cases

Instant Mainframe Storage

Zaac turns cloud or SAN storage into on-demand, plug-and-play storage for IBM Z — instantly.

  • Replace aging DASD and physical tape with dynamic cloud-connected storage
  • Provision storage capacity as needed — without overbuying or waiting for hardware
  • Enable concurrent access to multiple storage environments (e.g., cloud + SAN)
  • Eliminate sourcing delays, maintenance windows, and complex config work

Perfect for: Production workloads, storage expansion, and agile storage planning across hybrid environments.

DevOps & Modern Development Workflows

Zaac extends your DevOps strategy into the mainframe — no infrastructure changes required.

  • Integrate IBM Z into modern CI/CD pipelines
  • Share data between mainframe and distributed/cloud apps
  • Enable read-write access to AI-generated or cloud-native data
  • Shorten dev-test cycles with flexible virtual storage

Perfect for: Hybrid DevOps, test data management, modern application delivery on IBM Z.

Mainframe Tape to Cloud

Powered by PropelZ™

While Zaac powers instant storage and DevOps use cases, our tape-to-cloud migration solution uses PropelZ — and it’s a vital path to storage modernization.

  • Securely migrate decades of mainframe tape data to cloud object storage
  • Avoid re-platforming, rewriting, or downtime
  • Eliminate costly, hard-to-maintain physical tape systems

Why it matters: Once in the cloud, this historical archive becomes AI-ready — fueling model training, analytics, compliance, and long-term insight generation. What was once locked away becomes a strategic asset.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BC/DR)

Zaac strengthens your continuity strategy with cloud-based, redundant storage — configured for resilience without complexity.

  • Enable automatic failover and recovery across cloud or SAN storage
  • Access backup data securely and quickly after outages or disruptions
  • Ensure compliance with encryption, duplexing, and role-based access
  • Remove the physical constraints and latency of tape-based DR solutions

Perfect for: Enterprises seeking cloud-native DR strategies that support IBM Z without adding risk or retooling.

Why Zaac

Feature Traditional Storage Zaac
Storage Type Support Physical DASD, Tape Virtual Disk + Virtual Tape
Provisioning Time Days to Weeks Seconds
Coding Required High None
Cloud/SAN Access Indirect or Custom Built In
DevOps Compatibility Limited Native Support
Tape Migration Manual or Custom Automated via PropelZ™
AI Readiness of Legacy Data Not Supported Enabled via Cloud Migration

Designed for How Modern Enterprises Work

Zaac was built for today’s IT leaders:

  • CIOs and Storage Architects who need scale and agility without cost bloat
  • Security and Risk Leaders who demand compliance without compromise
  • AI and Data Teams looking to unlock historical data for new insights
  • Modernization Teams replacing legacy infrastructure with cloud-native tools

Purpose-Built for Hybrid Storage and Access

Zaac Extends Mainframe Data Access by Design

Each VirtualZ solution plays a distinct role in modernizing mainframe data access:

  • Lozen™ delivers real-time, read-write access to live mainframe data — without moving it
  • PropelZ™ securely moves mainframe data to modern platforms for AI, analytics, and compliance
  • Zaac bridges storage and access, connecting IBM Z environments with cloud and SAN storage in real time

Choose Zaac when you need to:

  • Instantly expand mainframe storage capacity using cloud or SAN
  • Allow mainframe applications to access cloud-native or AI-generated data
  • Integrate IBM Z into modern DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines
  • Eliminate sourcing delays, hardware dependencies, and infrastructure constraints

Zaac doesn’t replicate or transform data — it provides dynamic, secure storage that behaves like native DASD or tape. This lets your applications interact with data wherever it lives — without disruption or rewriting.

Bottom line: Zaac modernizes mainframe storage with simplicity, flexibility, and speed — supporting hybrid strategies across enterprise architectures.

Ready to Modernize?

Zaac makes your mainframe storage as fast, flexible, and future-ready as your cloud environment — without replication, hardware delays, or replatforming risk.

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