Syncsort - Detailed Review

Data Tools

Syncsort - Detailed Review Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Syncsort - Product Overview



    Overview of Syncsort

    Syncsort is a renowned provider of enterprise software solutions, particularly focusing on data integration, sorting, and processing. Here’s a brief overview of what Syncsort offers:

    Primary Function

    Syncsort’s primary function is to help organizations collect, integrate, sort, and distribute large volumes of data efficiently. Their software is optimized for high-performance data processing, making it a crucial tool for managing and analyzing big data.

    Target Audience

    The target audience for Syncsort includes data analysts, researchers, and large enterprises, especially those relying on mainframe systems. Their solutions are widely used by Fortune 100 companies and organizations in over 85 countries.

    Key Features



    Data Processing and Sorting

    Syncsort offers high-performance sort, copy, and join utilities, such as Syncsort MFX, which is designed to work with IBM z/OS operating systems and mainframes. This software exploits advanced hardware and operating system features to minimize elapsed time and reduce CPU utilization.

    Mainframe to Hadoop Integration

    Syncsort provides solutions to integrate mainframe data with Hadoop and Spark ecosystems, allowing organizations to gain insights from their mainframe data without altering the mainframe systems. This is achieved through products like DMX-h, which enables data ingestion from mainframes to Hadoop in its native format.

    Real-Time Data Integration

    Syncsort’s data integration capabilities include continuous streaming and Change Data Capture (CDC) features. These allow for real-time data replication across various data sources and targets, including IBM Db2, Oracle, and cloud-based systems like HDFS and Azure SQL.

    Resource Optimization

    Syncsort’s solutions, such as ZPSaver, can offload sort, copy, and compression tasks to IBM z Integrated Information Processors (zIIP), significantly reducing CPU costs and improving overall system efficiency.

    User-Friendly Utilities

    For data analysts and researchers, Syncsort provides utilities like SyncSort, which can copy, sort, merge, or count records using a relatively simple command set, including INCLUDE/OMIT, INREC, SORT, OUTREC, OUTFIL, and SUM statements.

    Conclusion

    Overall, Syncsort’s software is designed to optimize data processing workloads, reduce costs, and enhance the efficiency of data management and analysis across various platforms.

    Syncsort - User Interface and Experience



    Syncsort MFX

    For users of Syncsort MFX, the interface is largely centered around optimizing mainframe operations, such as sort, copy, and join functions. While the primary interaction is through Job Control Language (JCL) and control statements, the system is designed to work transparently with existing workflows. This means users do not need to make significant changes to their current processes to leverage features like Syncsort ZPSaver, which offloads workloads to IBM zIIP engines to reduce CPU costs. The focus here is on efficiency and cost savings rather than a graphical user interface, making it more suitable for technical users familiar with mainframe operations.



    Syncsort Connect for Big Data

    Syncsort Connect for Big Data offers a more user-friendly interface, especially for those involved in data integration and migration. This tool allows users to design integration jobs without coding, which simplifies the process for a broader range of users. The interface supports accessing and integrating various enterprise data sources, both batch and streaming, and manages the entire process of data governance and security. This makes it easier for users to migrate data from mainframes, IBM i servers, and legacy databases to Azure Cloud targets like Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Databricks, and Azure Synapse. The user experience is streamlined to facilitate data integration and cloud transformation strategies.



    Precisely Data Integrity Suite

    The Precisely Data Integrity Suite, which includes various Syncsort tools, offers a unified data catalog that enhances the user experience. This suite provides a searchable user interface that reveals a full inventory of business and technical metadata. Users can quickly build data pipelines, integrate data into new cloud platforms using hundreds of connectors, and access enhanced data observability, geo-addressing, and data enrichment capabilities. The new data quality service allows users to design data quality pipelines with an intuitive interface, validating, geocoding, and enriching critical data for accuracy and consistency. This suite is designed to be user-friendly, enabling users to easily search, explore, and collaborate across critical data assets.



    Ease of Use and Overall Experience

    • Technical Users: For those familiar with mainframe operations and JCL, tools like Syncsort MFX are straightforward and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.
    • Data Integration: Syncsort Connect for Big Data and the Data Integrity Suite offer more intuitive interfaces that do not require extensive coding knowledge, making them accessible to a wider range of users.
    • Data Quality and Observability: The Precisely Data Integrity Suite provides a friendly, intuitive interface for designing data quality pipelines and observing data attributes, which helps in detecting issues before they impact downstream systems.

    Overall, the user interface of Syncsort’s data tools is designed to be efficient and accessible, whether you are a technical user working with mainframes or someone involved in broader data integration and quality tasks. The tools are structured to simplify complex data management tasks and provide a clear, user-friendly experience.

    Syncsort - Key Features and Functionality



    Syncsort Overview

    Syncsort, now part of Precisely, offers a range of advanced data processing and integration tools that are particularly useful in the context of mainframe and big data environments. Here are the key features and functionalities of Syncsort products, especially focusing on their integration with AI-driven initiatives and data tools:



    Advanced Sorting and Processing



    Syncsort MFX

    This is a high-performance sorting product that optimizes system resources by dynamically monitoring and responding to system status, including CPU utilization, DASD contention, and central storage availability. It uses proprietary sorting algorithms, advanced access methods, and dynamic optimization techniques to minimize the elapsed time of sort executions. MFX also leverages IBM z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) and High Performance FICON (zHPF) to reduce CPU time.



    Parallel Sorting



    Syncsort PipeSort

    This feature allows for the simultaneous execution of up to eight differently sequenced sorts from a single pass of the input data. Using parallel sorting technology, PipeSort can cut the total elapsed time by more than 50% compared to running separate sorts, significantly reducing I/O overhead.



    Resource Optimization



    Dynamic Sortwork Allocation

    This technique minimizes the use of DASD resources for sorting by acquiring sort work as required during the sort step, rather than allocating all anticipated space at sort initiation. This prevents sort work abends without over-allocating DASD space.



    Mainframe Data Integration with Cloud Platforms



    Syncsort Connect

    This product enables the access, transformation, and delivery of mainframe data to cloud platforms like Databricks for advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning. It features a “design once, deploy anywhere” architecture, allowing for the integration of previously inaccessible mainframe data into modern data management platforms.



    Data Transformation and Delivery



    Integration with Databricks

    Syncsort’s partnership with Databricks allows for the efficient delivery of mainframe data to the Databricks Unified Data Analytics Platform. This integration helps in loading data into Delta Lake, improving data recency, simplifying processing, and ensuring data completeness for lakehouses.



    Data Quality and Governance



    Syncsort DMX-h and Trillium

    These tools combine big data integration with data quality solutions. DMX-h can ingest mainframe data into Hadoop in its native format, while Trillium Discover profiles the data to understand its quality. This combination supports data governance and customer 360 initiatives by ensuring high-quality data in Hadoop or Spark environments.



    AI and Machine Learning Support

    While the core Syncsort products are not explicitly AI-driven, their ability to integrate mainframe data with cloud platforms like Databricks enables the use of this data in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics projects. By making mainframe data accessible and transformable, Syncsort facilitates the inclusion of this data in AI and ML workflows, enhancing the accuracy and completeness of these analyses.



    Additional Features



    Syncsort ZPSaver

    This feature offloads up to 90% of all Sort, Copy & SMS Compression CPU cycles to the IBM zIIP, saving money and delivering faster processing for the mainframe.



    Syncsort PROCsort

    This tool reduces CPU time required for sorting within SAS applications by up to 40% and cuts sort elapsed time by up to 25%, significantly improving overall system throughput.



    Conclusion

    In summary, Syncsort’s products are focused on optimizing data processing, integrating mainframe data with modern cloud analytics platforms, and ensuring high-quality data for various analytical and AI-driven initiatives. While the products themselves are not AI-driven, they play a crucial role in preparing and delivering data for AI and machine learning applications.

    Syncsort - Performance and Accuracy



    Performance

    Syncsort is renowned for its high-performance capabilities in sorting, merging, copying, and other data management tasks. Here are some performance highlights:



    Efficient Resource Usage

    Syncsort optimizes resource allocation, particularly in mainframe environments. It uses dynamic sort work allocation techniques that minimize the use of DASD (Direct Access Storage Device) resources, preventing abends due to unavailable space and reducing overall sort workspace by up to 25%.



    Parallel Processing

    Syncsort employs advanced parallel sorting technologies, such as PARASORT, which can read data from multiple tape drives simultaneously, reducing elapsed time by up to 33% when processing four volumes in parallel.



    CPU and Elapsed Time Reduction

    Syncsort’s utilities, like MFX, exploit IBM System z High Performance FICON (zHPF) and the IBM z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) to reduce CPU time and elapsed time significantly compared to IBM’s DFSORT. For example, Syncsort PROCsort can reduce CPU time by up to 40% and cut sort elapsed time by up to 25% within SAS applications.



    Hadoop ETL Performance

    In Hadoop environments, Syncsort’s DMX-h ETL software has been shown to perform ETL tasks up to 60.3% faster than open-source tools, even when used by less experienced personnel.



    Accuracy

    Syncsort’s accuracy is ensured through several mechanisms:



    Data Validation

    Syncsort DMX-h includes robust data validation capabilities, allowing for accurate checking and filtering of data to ensure only usable data enters the data warehouse. This process is performed efficiently, with Syncsort jobs completing data validation tasks significantly faster than DIY jobs.



    Automated Processes

    Tools like Syncsort DMX-h automate the interpretation of legacy data formats, such as COBOL copybooks, ensuring the integrity of the original data during integration into modern analytics systems.



    Optimized Sorting

    By optimizing sort parameters and dynamically allocating resources, Syncsort ensures that sorting processes are accurate and efficient, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving overall system throughput.



    Limitations or Areas for Improvement

    While Syncsort offers significant performance and accuracy advantages, there are a few areas to consider:



    Configuration and Tuning

    To achieve optimal performance, Syncsort requires careful configuration and tuning. This can be time-consuming and may require specialized knowledge, although services like the Sort Performance and Tuning Service offered by Precisely can help.



    Resource Allocation

    While Syncsort optimizes resource usage, it still requires substantial system resources. Ensuring that the system has sufficient memory and storage to allocate to the sort process is crucial for optimal performance.



    Integration Complexity

    Integrating Syncsort with other systems, such as Hadoop or mainframe databases, can involve complex processes, especially when dealing with heterogeneous data sources. However, Syncsort’s tools are designed to simplify these integrations.

    Overall, Syncsort demonstrates strong performance and accuracy in data management tasks, making it a valuable tool for organizations dealing with large-scale data sorting and integration. However, it does require careful setup and tuning to maximize its benefits.

    Syncsort - Pricing and Plans



    Pricing Structure Overview

    When it comes to the pricing structure of Syncsort’s data tools, particularly those under the Precisely umbrella, there are several key points to consider, although some specific details may not be readily available.



    Precisely Connect (formerly Syncsort Connect ETL)

    • The pricing for Precisely Connect is not publicly disclosed. Users typically need to engage with the sales team to get a quote.


    Features and Plans

    • Precisely Connect offers various features such as ETL, data ingestion, and pre-load transformations, but the specific plans and their associated costs are not transparent.


    Syncsort MFX

    • Syncsort MFX, a high-performance sort, copy, and join utility for mainframes, does not have publicly listed pricing. It is part of a broader suite of tools and typically requires a conversation with sales to determine the cost.


    Additional Components

    • Components like Syncsort ZPSaver, which offloads sort, copy, and SMS compression to zIIP processors, are licensable features of Syncsort MFX but do not have standalone pricing listed. These features are integrated into the overall cost of using Syncsort MFX.


    Free Options

    • There are no free or freemium versions available for Syncsort’s main data tools like Precisely Connect or Syncsort MFX. Any trials or evaluations would likely need to be arranged through direct contact with the sales team.


    Conclusion

    In summary, while the specific pricing tiers and features for each plan are not publicly available, it is clear that users need to engage with the sales team to get detailed pricing information for Syncsort’s data tools.

    Syncsort - Integration and Compatibility



    Syncsort Overview

    Syncsort, a leading high-performance sort and data manipulation utility, integrates seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, ensuring broad compatibility and efficiency.



    Platform Compatibility

    Syncsort supports a wide range of operating systems, including UNIX, Windows, Linux, and several IBM mainframe environments such as z/OS, VM/SP, HPO, VM/XA, VM/ESA, VS, VSE, VSE/SP, and VSE/ESA. This versatility allows Syncsort to be deployed in diverse IT infrastructures, making it a versatile tool for data processing across different systems.



    Integration with Other Tools

    Syncsort can integrate with COBOL-IT Compiler Suite through the use of the ‘External Sort Module’ (EXTSM) and ‘External File Handler’ (EXTFH) interfaces. This integration enables COBOL-IT to leverage Syncsort’s high-performance sort engine, enhancing the efficiency of SORT and MERGE operations.

    In the context of modern data integration, Syncsort helps break down data silos by integrating legacy, mainframe, and IBM data with advanced analytics platforms like Databricks. This integration allows users to pull data from these sources into Delta Lake, facilitating real-time data processing and analysis.



    Data Manipulation and Transformation

    Syncsort is not just a sort utility; it also provides extensive data manipulation capabilities, including record filtering, reformatting, summarization, and report generation. These features make it an essential tool for various data-intensive applications, optimizing run-time performance through advanced algorithm design, parallel processing, and efficient I/O methods.



    User Interface and Support

    Syncsort offers an intuitive graphical user interface for Windows, UNIX, and mainframe environments, known as Visual SyncSort. Additionally, it provides 24/7 technical support, ensuring that users can address any issues promptly and efficiently.



    Conclusion

    In summary, Syncsort’s broad compatibility across different platforms and its ability to integrate with various tools make it a highly effective solution for data sorting, manipulation, and integration needs. Its support for multiple operating systems and advanced data processing features further enhance its utility in a wide range of IT environments.

    Syncsort - Customer Support and Resources



    Contact Methods

    For immediate support needs, such as production down incidents or urgent issues, Precisely offers direct phone support. You can find the support phone numbers by country and product on their support page. It is recommended to have your account details, system information, a full problem description, and the business impact of the issue ready when you call. In addition to phone support, you can also use the support chat feature available on the Precisely platform and Help Center. This chat widget allows you to quickly search for relevant articles, view past conversations, and start new conversations. The support team is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 (CET). For less urgent issues, you can submit a case via the Customer and Partner portals, where you can update and monitor your cases. You will be notified when the case is updated.

    Additional Resources



    Knowledge Base

    Precisely has a comprehensive Knowledge Base with over 20,000 articles covering troubleshooting and how-to topics across their product portfolio. These articles are created and maintained by Support Engineers and are regularly updated to ensure you have access to the latest information.

    Community Forum

    The community forums are an ideal place to discuss product functionality, ask how-to questions, and connect with other users, developers, partners, and support professionals. Here, you can engage in discussions ranging from capability questions to coding questions.

    Feedback and Feature Requests

    If you have feedback or want to request new features, you can use the feedback form available on the Precisely platform or directly from the app by sending feedback through your profile.

    Account Management

    For existing customers, you can contact your account manager for help with plan upgrades, adding new users or departments, onboarding, e-signing, and integration requests. You can also email customer-success@precisely.se for these inquiries.

    General Support

    For general questions or if you are not yet a customer, you can email hello@precisely.se or book a meeting to see how Precisely can benefit your business. There is also an option to start a 14-day free trial. These resources are designed to provide comprehensive support and ensure you get the help you need efficiently.

    Syncsort - Pros and Cons



    Advantages of Syncsort

    Syncsort, particularly in its data integration and capacity management tools, offers several significant advantages:

    Performance and Efficiency

    Syncsort is renowned for its high-performance capabilities, especially in bulk data processing and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) operations. It utilizes an optimizer with multiple algorithms (over 30 sort algorithms and numerous join algorithms) to create an optimal transformation plan, which can dynamically adjust during data processing to ensure maximum efficiency.

    Speed and Resource Utilization

    Syncsort is exceptionally fast, holding records for loading data warehouses. This speed, combined with its efficient use of resources, reduces costs and enhances overall system performance.

    Ease of Use and Implementation

    Despite its powerful capabilities, Syncsort’s tools are relatively easy to implement and use. The software requires fewer statements to perform tasks compared to other software, making it more user-friendly for data analysts and researchers.

    Scalability and Cost Competitiveness

    Syncsort’s data integration tool, DMExpress, is highly scalable and cost-competitive. It is cheaper than many other products in the market, making it a more payable option for businesses.

    Comprehensive Capacity Management

    Syncsort Capacity Management provides a centralized, automated view of IT resources across various platforms, including on-premises, physical, virtual, and cloud environments. It captures detailed performance data, predicts future needs, and offers actionable insights to prevent system problems.

    Support and Service

    Syncsort is praised for its good technical support and responsible service. The company provides reliable assistance, which is crucial for maintaining and optimizing IT operations.

    Disadvantages of Syncsort

    While Syncsort offers many benefits, there are also some notable drawbacks:

    Limited Command Set and Documentation

    The command set for SyncSort can appear limited and cryptic compared to other software like SAS. The reference manuals are not user-friendly for non-programmers, which can make it difficult for new users to learn and use the tool effectively.

    Restricted Metadata Management

    Syncsort’s DMExpress lacks comprehensive metadata management functionality, which is a significant limitation compared to other data integration tools.

    Limited Support for Big Data Environments

    Syncsort’s solution is not yet fully optimized for big data environments, making it less efficient in these contexts compared to competitors’ products.

    Dependency on External Tools

    Some functions of Syncsort’s DMExpress require external applications, which can limit its standalone functionality and add complexity to the integration process.

    Quality Issues in New Releases

    Customers have reported that new releases of DMExpress often contain bugs due to insufficient testing, which can be frustrating and require additional troubleshooting. By considering these points, users can make a well-informed decision about whether Syncsort aligns with their specific needs and requirements.

    Syncsort - Comparison with Competitors



    When Comparing Syncsort MFX with Other Data Tools

    When comparing Syncsort MFX, now part of Precisely, with other data tools in the AI-driven and advanced analytics category, several key points and alternatives come to light.



    Unique Features of Syncsort MFX

    • High-Performance Sorting and Processing: Syncsort MFX is optimized for IBM z/OS mainframes and leverages the zSeries architecture to provide high-performance sorting, merging, and copying of data sets. It can significantly reduce CPU utilization by offloading tasks to IBM z Integrated Information Processors (zIIP).
    • Advanced Data Utilities: MFX includes features such as a join facility, multiple output facilities, and extensive report writing capabilities. It also supports direct data retrieval from DB2 databases using SQL SELECT statements.
    • Integration with SAS: The MFX PROCSort feature is a high-performance replacement for the SAS procedure PROC SORT, reducing resources and elapsed time for sorting within SAS applications.


    Alternatives and Comparisons



    Data Integration and ETL Tools

    • Precisely Connect (formerly Syncsort Connect): While part of the same company, Precisely Connect is an ETL tool that focuses on integrating systems, optimizing data infrastructure, and improving data quality. It supports fewer data sources compared to other ETL tools but offers pre-load transformations and data ingestion capabilities.
    • Stitch: Unlike Precisely Connect, Stitch supports a wider range of data sources and destinations, including cloud-based data warehouses and lakes. It offers transparent pricing and a more flexible purchase process.


    AI-Driven Analytics Platforms

    • Tableau: Tableau is a business intelligence platform that uses AI and machine learning to provide data visualizations and insights. It is more focused on data visualization and business intelligence rather than the high-performance sorting and mainframe optimization that Syncsort MFX offers.
    • Qlik: Qlik provides a business analytics platform with AI-driven insights and predictions. It integrates AI and machine learning to auto-generate insights but does not have the same level of mainframe-specific optimization as Syncsort MFX.


    Advanced Analytics and Data Science Platforms

    • Databricks Unified Data Analytics Platform: Databricks is a cloud-based platform for building, deploying, and maintaining enterprise-grade data, analytics, and AI solutions. It supports a wide range of data science and machine learning tasks but is not specifically optimized for mainframe environments.
    • KNIME Analytics Platform: KNIME is an open-source, low-code analytics platform that supports extensive data connectors and machine learning components. While versatile, it does not have the mainframe-specific features of Syncsort MFX.


    Key Differences

    • Mainframe Optimization: Syncsort MFX is uniquely optimized for IBM z/OS mainframes, making it a standout for organizations heavily reliant on these systems. Other tools, like Tableau, Qlik, and Databricks, are more generalized and do not offer the same level of mainframe-specific optimization.
    • Data Processing Capabilities: While tools like Precisely Connect and Stitch excel in data integration and ETL, Syncsort MFX focuses on high-performance sorting, merging, and copying, which is crucial for mainframe-based data processing.
    • AI and Machine Learning Integration: Tools like Tableau, Qlik, and Databricks integrate AI and machine learning extensively for data insights and predictions. However, Syncsort MFX’s AI integration is more limited, primarily focusing on optimizing sort processes rather than generating predictive insights.

    In summary, Syncsort MFX is a specialized tool for high-performance data processing on mainframes, making it an essential choice for organizations with significant mainframe operations. For broader data integration, analytics, and AI-driven insights, alternatives like Tableau, Qlik, Databricks, and KNIME may be more suitable.

    Syncsort - Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some frequently asked questions about Syncsort, along with detailed responses:

    What is Syncsort and what are its primary functions?

    Syncsort is a utility used for data processing tasks such as copying, sorting, merging, and counting records. It is available on various operating systems, including MVS and VM, and is known for its high performance and efficiency in handling large datasets.



    What are the main control statements used in Syncsort?

    The main control statements in Syncsort include:

    • INCLUDE and OMIT: To select or omit records for processing.
    • INREC: To select fields to include from records.
    • SORT: To sort records by specified fields or keys.
    • OUTREC: To position and format data on output records.
    • OUTFIL: An alternative to OUTREC, allowing for multiple file output and editing of output records.
    • SUM: To combine records with equal sort keys or delete records with equal sort keys.


    How does Syncsort handle logical expressions and relative conditions?

    Syncsort uses logical expressions (AND, OR) and relative conditions (EQ, NE, GT, GE, LT, LE) to select records for processing. The rules for evaluating these conditions are:

    • Conditions within internal parentheses are evaluated first.
    • AND conditions are evaluated next.
    • OR conditions are evaluated last.


    What are the new change data capture (CDC) capabilities in Syncsort?

    Syncsort has introduced new change data capture capabilities, particularly through its DMX Change Data Capture (DMX CDC) functionality. This allows for real-time data replication, continuously updating Hadoop data lakes with changes made on the mainframe. This feature reduces network load and ensures up-to-the-minute mainframe data for analytics.



    How does Syncsort integrate with other data processing platforms?

    Syncsort integrates with various stream-processing platforms such as Kafka and Amazon Kinesis, as well as Hadoop data lake targets. It supports both on-prem and cloud environments and is compliant with Hadoop 3.0 and Cloudera CDH 6.0. This integration enables the creation of data pipelines and efficient data transformation processes.



    What are the benefits of using Syncsort MFX for mainframe operations?

    Syncsort MFX is optimized for IBM z/OS operating systems and mainframes. It offers high-performance sort, copy, and join operations, and can offload workloads to IBM z Integrated Information Processors (zIIP) to reduce CPU costs. Features like PipeSort allow for simultaneous execution of multiple sorts, reducing elapsed time and I/O overhead. This helps in meeting SLAs and batch window requirements more efficiently.



    How does Syncsort protect against data loss during integration processes?

    Syncsort’s data integration tools are designed to protect against data loss if a connection is temporarily disrupted with a source or target system. The system keeps track of where it left off and automatically restarts at that exact point without manual intervention, ensuring no data is duplicated or missing from the target system.



    What is the difference between Syncsort and other data processing software?

    While Syncsort is highly efficient and fast, its command set can appear limited and cryptic compared to other software packages like SAS. However, Syncsort’s advantage lies in its simplicity and high performance, requiring fewer statements to perform tasks. The reference manuals, though, can be challenging for non-programmers due to the technical terminology used.



    How does Syncsort ZPSaver contribute to cost savings?

    Syncsort ZPSaver is a feature of Syncsort MFX that offloads sort, copy, and compression tasks from primary CPUs to zIIP processors. This reduces CPU utilization, resulting in lower software licensing costs and allowing more work to be done with the same computing resources. It also helps in meeting service level agreements (SLAs) and batch window requirements more easily.

    Syncsort - Conclusion and Recommendation



    Final Assessment of Syncsort in the Data Tools Category

    Syncsort, now part of Precisely, is a formidable player in the data management and processing sector, particularly for mainframe and big data environments. Here’s a comprehensive assessment of who would benefit most from using Syncsort and an overall recommendation.

    Key Benefits and Capabilities



    High-Performance Sorting and Data Processing

    Syncsort MFX is renowned for its high-performance sort, merge, and copy capabilities, optimized for the zSeries architecture and z/OS operating system. It offers advanced features such as joining, multiple output facilities, and report writing, including the ability to create and email PDF, RTF, or HTML files.



    Cost Savings and Efficiency

    Syncsort MFX, when combined with Syncsort ZPSaver, can significantly reduce CPU time and costs by offloading up to 90% of sort, copy, and merge operations to zIIP processors, thus avoiding expensive MLC fees from IBM.



    Integration and Migration

    Syncsort offers tools like Connect for Big Data, which facilitates the integration of data from mainframes, IBM i servers, and legacy databases into cloud platforms such as Azure. This is particularly useful for organizations undergoing cloud transformation.



    Data Quality

    While not the primary focus of MFX, Syncsort’s broader portfolio includes Trillium data quality software, which is highly regarded for its enterprise-grade data quality capabilities, including data profiling, cleansing, and standardization.



    Who Would Benefit Most



    Mainframe Users

    Organizations heavily reliant on mainframe systems will find Syncsort MFX and ZPSaver invaluable for optimizing sort, copy, and merge operations, reducing CPU time, and lowering MLC costs.



    Big Data and Cloud Migration

    Companies transitioning their data to cloud environments like Azure can benefit from Syncsort Connect for Big Data, which simplifies the integration and migration process.



    Enterprise Data Management

    Large enterprises, especially those in the Fortune 100, can leverage Syncsort’s comprehensive suite of tools to manage, process, and integrate their data efficiently across various platforms.



    Overall Recommendation

    Syncsort is highly recommended for organizations seeking to optimize their mainframe operations, reduce costs associated with CPU usage, and streamline data integration and migration processes. Here are some key points to consider:



    Efficiency and Cost Savings

    If you are looking to reduce the financial burden of mainframe operations, Syncsort MFX and ZPSaver can significantly lower your costs by leveraging zIIP processors.



    Data Integration

    For those migrating data to cloud platforms, Syncsort Connect for Big Data provides a seamless and efficient solution.



    Data Quality

    While MFX is not primarily a data quality tool, Syncsort’s broader portfolio ensures that users have access to high-quality data management solutions.

    In summary, Syncsort is a strong choice for any organization needing high-performance data sorting, efficient mainframe operations, and seamless data integration, especially those with significant mainframe and big data needs.

    Scroll to Top