Introduction
Mainframe integration tools are specialized software solutions designed to bridge the gap between traditional mainframe systems and modern distributed applications, cloud services, and APIs. These tools allow organizations to unlock the vast amounts of mission-critical data and business logic residing on mainframes—often in COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler—making it accessible and usable by contemporary digital platforms without requiring a complete rewrite of the core system. They function by providing various connectivity options, data transformation capabilities, and often API gateways that translate older communication protocols into modern, standardized formats.
The importance of mainframe integration tools cannot be overstated. Despite decades of predictions about their demise, mainframes continue to power the backbone of global finance, government, and large enterprise operations due to their unparalleled reliability, security, and transaction processing capabilities. However, their isolated nature makes it challenging to integrate with agile cloud environments, mobile apps, and AI/ML initiatives. Integration tools solve this by extending the life and value of these robust systems, allowing businesses to innovate around the mainframe rather than undergoing prohibitively expensive and risky “rip-and-replace” modernization projects. They ensure that mainframes remain a relevant and valuable part of a hybrid IT strategy.
Key Real-World Use Cases
- Real-time Customer Service: Exposing mainframe customer records via an API to a modern CRM system, allowing call center agents to view up-to-date information instantly.
- Mobile Banking Applications: Enabling mobile apps to securely query mainframe account balances or transaction history without direct mainframe access.
- Data Analytics and AI: Extracting and transforming mainframe data into cloud-based data lakes for advanced analytics, machine learning, and business intelligence.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Integrating mainframe inventory management systems with modern logistics platforms to provide real-time stock levels.
- Automated Claims Processing: Connecting legacy insurance claims systems to modern workflow automation tools for faster processing and decision-making.
What to Look For (Evaluation Criteria)
When selecting a mainframe integration tool, consider the following critical aspects:
- Connectivity & Protocols: Does the tool support common mainframe protocols (e.g., CICS, IMS, VSAM, DB2, MQ, TN3270) and modern standards (REST, SOAP, Kafka, gRPC)?
- Data Transformation: Can it handle complex data format conversions (e.g., EBCDIC to ASCII, COBOL copybooks to JSON/XML schemas)?
- API Enablement: Does it provide robust capabilities to expose mainframe functions as secure, scalable APIs?
- Performance & Scalability: Can the solution handle high transaction volumes with low latency without impacting mainframe performance?
- Security & Governance: What security features are in place (encryption, authentication, authorization) to protect sensitive mainframe data during integration?
Best for:
Enterprise Architects, Integration Specialists, DevOps teams, and Mainframe Administrators in large organizations. It is indispensable for industries such as finance, insurance, retail, government, and manufacturing that rely on mainframes for their core business operations.
Not ideal for:
Small businesses that have no mainframe presence, or organizations that have already fully migrated all their legacy systems to the cloud. It is also not necessary for simple, one-off data transfers that can be handled manually.
Top 10 Mainframe Integration Tools
1 — IBM Z APIC Connect
IBM Z APIC Connect is a comprehensive solution that allows organizations to create, publish, secure, and manage APIs from mainframe applications and data. It is specifically designed to bring mainframe services into the modern API economy.
- Key features: API lifecycle management for z/OS assets, real-time analytics, developer portal for API consumption, policy enforcement (security, rate limiting), and integration with other IBM Z solutions.
- Pros: Unmatched native integration with IBM Z hardware and software; high performance and scalability for mainframe workloads.
- Cons: Primarily focused on the IBM Z platform, making it less versatile for heterogeneous mainframe environments.
- Security & compliance: Built-in z/OS security (RACF/ACF2), FIPS 140-2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliant.
- Support & community: Enterprise-grade support directly from IBM, extensive documentation, and a strong user community for IBM Z products.
2 — Micro Focus Host Connectivity (Reflection/RUMBA)
Micro Focus offers a suite of host connectivity solutions that modernize access to mainframe applications. These tools provide terminal emulation, session management, and API integration, helping users connect to 3270, 5250, and VT hosts.
- Key features: Advanced terminal emulation (3270/5250), API access to host applications, secure file transfer, session pooling, and web-to-host modernization.
- Pros: Very mature and widely adopted for reliable host access; excellent for screen-scraping and integrating legacy green-screen apps.
- Cons: Can be perceived as a traditional approach; less emphasis on a full API gateway compared to newer solutions.
- Security & compliance: FIPS 140-2, TLS/SSL encryption, and strong authentication options.
- Support & community: Extensive documentation, global support, and a large, established user base.
3 — Software AG EntireX
Software AG EntireX is a robust integration broker that enables mainframe applications (CICS, IMS, Adabas, Natural) to participate in modern distributed environments. It specializes in exposing mainframe assets as web services or microservices.
- Key features: Supports synchronous and asynchronous communication, IDL (Interface Definition Language) for service mapping, EBCDIC to ASCII conversion, and comprehensive security features.
- Pros: Highly capable of handling complex data transformations; excellent performance for high-volume transactions.
- Cons: Can be resource-intensive to deploy and manage; requires deep technical expertise.
- Security & compliance: FIPS 140-2, LDAP integration, and granular access control.
- Support & community: Dedicated enterprise support and a long history of serving large organizations.
4 — Broadcom Mainframe Software (CA Technologies)
Broadcom provides a wide range of mainframe solutions, including integration tools that help bridge the gap between mainframes and cloud-native applications. Their offerings cover API enablement, data virtualization, and secure file transfer.
- Key features: API Management for mainframe services, data virtualization for real-time access, secure data delivery, and automated workload management.
- Pros: Comprehensive portfolio for a variety of mainframe integration needs; strong security capabilities.
- Cons: Can be complex to integrate various Broadcom products; licensing models can be intricate.
- Security & compliance: Integrates with mainframe security (RACF, ACF2), FIPS 140-2, and enterprise compliance standards.
- Support & community: Global enterprise support, extensive training, and a strong client base.
5 — Attunity (Qlik Replicate)
Attunity (now Qlik Replicate) specializes in high-performance, real-time data replication from mainframes to modern data platforms. It is ideal for organizations that need to feed mainframe data into cloud data warehouses or data lakes for analytics.
- Key features: Change Data Capture (CDC) from mainframe (DB2, VSAM, IMS), heterogeneous data replication, automated schema conversion, and low-impact data extraction.
- Pros: Excellent for real-time analytics and data warehousing; non-invasive to mainframe performance.
- Cons: Primarily focused on data replication, less on exposing business logic as APIs.
- Security & compliance: Data encryption in transit and at rest, and audit trail capabilities.
- Support & community: Strong professional services and customer support, especially for data integration projects.
6 — AWS Mainframe Modernization Service
AWS Mainframe Modernization provides a complete solution for refactoring or replatforming mainframe applications onto AWS. While a modernization tool, its re-platforming component effectively integrates by moving the mainframe environment to an AWS-hosted replica.
- Key features: Automated code refactoring (COBOL to Java), managed runtime environments (for replatforming), automated testing, and integration with AWS services.
- Pros: Fully managed service by AWS; reduces the need for specialized mainframe skills.
- Cons: Requires commitment to the AWS ecosystem; not for maintaining the mainframe in its current state.
- Security & compliance: Inherits AWS security, including SOC 1/2/3, ISO, and HIPAA compliance.
- Support & community: Direct support from AWS, extensive documentation, and partner network.
7 — Azure Host Integration Server (HIS)
Azure Host Integration Server is a Microsoft product designed to connect modern .NET applications and Azure services with IBM mainframe and mid-range systems. It provides gateways for data, messaging, and transaction processing.
- Key features: SNA Gateway for 3270/5250, BizTalk Adapter for CICS/IMS, DB2 data access, MQ Series connectivity, and transaction integration (COM Transaction Integrator).
- Pros: Deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (Azure, .NET, BizTalk); leverages existing Microsoft skills.
- Cons: Can be complex to set up and maintain; less suitable for non-Microsoft environments.
- Security & compliance: Integrates with Active Directory for authentication; uses standard Microsoft security practices.
- Support & community: Microsoft support, extensive developer documentation, and a strong user community for Microsoft technologies.
8 — Apache Kafka (with Connectors)
Apache Kafka, while not a dedicated mainframe tool, is a powerful distributed streaming platform often used in conjunction with specialized connectors to integrate mainframes. It enables real-time data streaming from mainframes to modern systems.
- Key features: High-throughput, low-latency data streaming, fault-tolerant architecture, support for various connectors (e.g., IBM MQ, DB2 CDC), and real-time event processing.
- Pros: Highly scalable and resilient for real-time data feeds; open-source and widely adopted.
- Cons: Requires significant expertise to set up and manage; specialized mainframe connectors may incur additional costs or require custom development.
- Security & compliance: Kerberos authentication, SSL/TLS encryption, and flexible authorization (ACLs).
- Support & community: Massive open-source community, commercial support from Confluent and other vendors.
9 — GT Software (Fujitsu)
GT Software provides a suite of mainframe integration and modernization solutions, including products for API enablement (Ivory Suite) and data access. They focus on unlocking mainframe assets for digital transformation.
- Key features: Low-code API creation for CICS/IMS/VSAM, screen-scraping capabilities, secure data access, and integration with modern platforms.
- Pros: Facilitates rapid API development without touching mainframe code; easy to use for developers with less mainframe experience.
- Cons: May not handle the most complex, high-volume real-time data replication as efficiently as CDC-specific tools.
- Security & compliance: Integrates with mainframe security systems; secure communication protocols.
- Support & community: Dedicated support for enterprise clients and extensive product documentation.
10 — Boomi (by Dell Technologies)
Boomi is an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) that includes robust capabilities for connecting to mainframes. It offers a low-code/no-code environment for building integrations, making it accessible to a broader range of developers.
- Key features: Visual drag-and-drop interface, pre-built connectors for various systems (including mainframe technologies), API management, and data mapping and transformation.
- Pros: Rapid development of integrations; easy to manage and monitor from a unified cloud platform.
- Cons: Mainframe connectors might require specialized licensing or expertise to configure properly.
- Security & compliance: SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliant; data encryption and access controls.
- Support & community: Strong community forum, extensive training, and professional services.
Comparison Table
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Standout Feature | Rating |
| IBM Z APIC Connect | Mainframe API Mgmt | IBM Z / z/OS | Native IBM Z Performance | 4.7 / 5 |
| Micro Focus Host Conn. | Host Access Modernization | Multi-Platform | Advanced Terminal Emulation | 4.3 / 5 |
| Software AG EntireX | Complex Data Transform | Multi-Platform | IDL-based Service Exposure | 4.5 / 5 |
| Broadcom Mainframe SW | Holistic Integration | IBM Z | Comprehensive Portfolio | 4.4 / 5 |
| Attunity (Qlik Replicate) | Real-time Data Sync | Mainframe to Cloud | Change Data Capture (CDC) | 4.6 / 5 |
| AWS Mainframe Modern. | Mainframe Replatforming | AWS Only | Managed AWS Runtime | 4.5 / 5 |
| Azure Host Integration | Microsoft Ecosystem | Azure / .NET to IBM | SNA & Transaction Gateway | 4.2 / 5 |
| Apache Kafka | Event Streaming | Open-Source | High-Throughput Data Bus | N/A |
| GT Software | Low-Code API Dev | IBM Z | Screen-Scrape to API | 4.0 / 5 |
| Boomi | iPaaS for Mainframe | Cloud / Hybrid | Visual Drag-and-Drop | 4.6 / 5 |
Evaluation & Scoring of Mainframe Integration Tools
| Category | Weight | IBM Z APIC | Software AG | Attunity | Boomi | Micro Focus |
| Core Features | 25% | 24/25 | 23/25 | 22/25 | 22/25 | 19/25 |
| Ease of Use | 15% | 11/15 | 10/15 | 12/15 | 14/15 | 13/15 |
| Integrations | 15% | 15/15 | 14/15 | 13/15 | 15/15 | 12/15 |
| Security | 10% | 10/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| Performance | 10% | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 10% | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Price / Value | 15% | 10/15 | 11/15 | 12/15 | 13/15 | 12/15 |
| Total Score | 100% | 90/100 | 87/100 | 87/100 | 92/100 | 82/100 |
Which Mainframe Integration Tool Is Right for You?
Small to Mid-Market vs. Enterprise
For SMBs or departments with limited mainframe expertise, an iPaaS like Boomi can simplify integration with its low-code approach, bridging the gap without requiring deep mainframe skills. For Enterprise organizations with complex, high-volume workloads, IBM Z APIC Connect, Software AG EntireX, or Broadcom Mainframe Software offer the robust performance, scalability, and native mainframe understanding necessary to manage mission-critical systems.
Budget-Conscious vs. Premium Solutions
If you are budget-conscious and have the internal expertise, leveraging Apache Kafka with open-source connectors can be a cost-effective solution for data streaming. However, for the advanced features, enterprise-grade support, and high-performance requirements of complex mainframe environments, investing in premium solutions like IBM Z APIC Connect or Attunity (Qlik Replicate) is often essential for business continuity and compliance.
Technical Depth vs. Simplicity
For developers who want a highly visual, low-code experience to connect various systems, Boomi is an excellent choice. If your team has deep mainframe technical expertise and needs granular control over data transformation and service exposure, Software AG EntireX or the native capabilities of IBM Z APIC Connect will provide the necessary depth. Tools like GT Software offer a good balance for API enablement without requiring extensive mainframe code changes.
Integration and Scalability Needs
If your primary need is real-time data feeding into a modern analytics platform, Attunity (Qlik Replicate) with its CDC capabilities is highly scalable. For organizations with a strong Microsoft ecosystem and a need to connect to IBM mainframes, Azure Host Integration Server provides tight integration. For full lifecycle API management of mainframe services, IBM Z APIC Connect stands out due to its native performance and extensive governance features.
Security and Compliance Requirements
In highly regulated industries, security and compliance are paramount. All the major players (IBM, Software AG, Broadcom) offer robust security features that integrate with mainframe security systems (like RACF/ACF2) and comply with standards like FIPS 140-2, GDPR, and HIPAA. Tools like Attunity also ensure data encryption during replication, critical for maintaining data integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a mainframe, and why is it still used?
A mainframe is a high-performance computer used by large organizations for mission-critical applications and bulk data processing. They are still used due to their unparalleled reliability, security, massive transaction processing capabilities, and existing investment.
2. What is “EBCDIC to ASCII” conversion?
EBCDIC is a character encoding used primarily on IBM mainframes. ASCII is the standard used by most modern systems. Integration tools must convert data between these two formats for interoperability.
3. What is “Screen Scraping”?
It’s a technique where an integration tool “reads” the text from a mainframe’s green-screen terminal interface (3270) and extracts data or drives transactions, effectively turning the old interface into an API.
4. Can these tools help with mainframe modernization efforts?
Yes. While some tools like AWS Mainframe Modernization directly replatform, integration tools extend the life of mainframes by making them interoperable with modern components, allowing for incremental modernization.
5. What is an API Gateway in the context of mainframes?
An API Gateway acts as a front-end for mainframe services, exposing them as modern REST APIs. It handles security, rate limiting, and protocol translation, protecting the mainframe from direct external access.
6. Is mainframe integration expensive?
It can be, but it’s often significantly less expensive and less risky than a full “rip-and-replace” modernization, which can cost hundreds of millions and take many years.
7. What is “Change Data Capture (CDC)”?
CDC is a technique for tracking and extracting only the data changes (inserts, updates, deletes) from a database in real-time. This is crucial for efficient, low-impact data replication from mainframes.
8. Do these tools require mainframe programming knowledge?
Some require deep knowledge (e.g., configuring CICS programs), while others (like Boomi or GT Software) offer low-code interfaces that abstract away much of the mainframe complexity.
9. What are the common challenges in mainframe integration?
Challenges include complex data formats, proprietary communication protocols, limited mainframe resources, security concerns, and the need for specialized mainframe skills.
10. Can mainframe data be streamed to cloud data lakes?
Yes. Tools like Attunity (Qlik Replicate) and integration with Apache Kafka are specifically designed to stream mainframe data in real-time to cloud data lakes for analytics and AI.
Conclusion
Mainframe integration is not about obsolescence; it’s about empowerment. By leveraging the right tools, organizations can unlock decades of valuable business logic and data, transforming their mainframe into a powerful, connected engine for digital innovation. Whether you’re exposing core services as modern APIs with IBM Z APIC Connect, streaming real-time data with Attunity (Qlik Replicate), or simplifying complex workflows with Boomi’s iPaaS, these solutions ensure your mainframe remains a strategic asset in a hybrid cloud world.
The “best” tool will depend on your specific mainframe environment, target platforms, and internal expertise. However, prioritizing robust connectivity, flexible data transformation, strong API enablement, and enterprise-grade security will ensure your mainframe integration strategy is both effective and future-proof.