Rocket Software Releases First Commercial Terminal Emulator Solution for Zowe Open Source Initiative

Global software leader bolsters open source framework, providing access to IBM Z servers from any device

WALTHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Extending its commitment to open source development on the mainframe, Rocket Software, a global software leader in IBM^® Z^® and IBM^® i modernization, today introduced Rocket^® BlueZone^® Web for Zowe. This represents the market’s first commercial terminal emulator solution for Zowe, an open source initiative within the Linux Foundation’s Open Mainframe Project (OMP), to provide terminal emulation for IBM Z servers from any browser-enabled device. Zowe is the first open source project for the IBM^® z/OS^® operating system, which delivers a modern browser-based GUI and services architecture to the IBM Z platform.

Terminal emulators, such as Rocket BlueZone, have long provided connectivity, speed, and ease of use between PCs and back-end systems such as IBM Z and IBM i. However, the breadth of features, usability, and customizability vary greatly. Until now, there was no terminal emulator available for the Zowe market, leaving users to leverage several applications and cumbersome workarounds.

Rocket BlueZone Web for Zowe, a certified Zowe V1 App Framework application, provides a secure, browser-based terminal emulator that lives within the Zowe desktop environment. It includes superior configuration options for macros and settings, enabling a familiar emulation environment. Current BlueZone users will enjoy consistent experience both within the Zowe desktop and outside it, connecting to IBM Z servers, IBM i systems, and other host systems.

“With our support for Zowe, we can ensure that as our mainframe customers embrace open source, they can continue to benefit from the continuous innovation that has made BlueZone so efficient and beloved by users,” said Christopher Wey, President of the Rocket business unit that develops IBM i solutions and cross-platform utilities. “The release of Rocket BlueZone Web on Zowe is a major step forward for the future of the mainframe because it empowers large organizations to modernize the tools they need on powerful and flexible open source projects like Zowe,” said Milan Shetti, President, Z Systems, Business Unit at Rocket.

“Rocket BlueZone Terminal Emulation allows our clients to connect successfully from various customized systems. We continue to receive positive feedback from those users,” said Kristen Dougherty, Director of Information Technology at BerkOne, a leading provider of content and process automation. “Rocket BlueZone reduces BerkOne’s overall support costs and frees up time for our technical resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.”

“As a platinum member of the Open Mainframe Project, Rocket has been a great advocate and active contributor in our goal to support open source for legacy systems with initiatives like Zowe,” said John Mertic, Director of Program Management at The Linux Foundation. “This terminal emulator is one of the first commercial solutions for Zowe, and we expect to draw a growing ecosystem of software and tooling in the coming years.”

Rocket will be showcasing BlueZone Web for Zowe at the inaugural Open Mainframe Summit, a virtual event on September 16-17, 2020. For more information about Rocket BlueZone Web for Zowe, please visit the Rocket website.

About Rocket Software

Rocket Software empowers organizations to create legendary impact in the world through innovation in legacy technologies. With deep expertise in IBM Z, IBM Power, and embedded database systems and application servers, Rocket provides solutions that power tens of thousands of global businesses, solving real problems and making real-world impact. Rocket is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in the Boston area with centers of excellence strategically located throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.