ZipSeries is the distribution tool for IBM i that gets the job done without unnecessary complexity. Package an object, a program, or an entire library directly into a standard ZIP file on your PC - with IBM i object security preserved and no installation required on the receiving system.

If you have heard of ZipSeries, or have been using it for many years, you have come to the right place.

We are System & Metode A/S, the Danish software company that has developed and supported ZipSeries from the beginning.

How we got here

ZipSeries was developed to solve a familiar challenge for IBM i administrators: How do you move objects, programs, and entire libraries out of the system in a simple and controlled way - with security preserved, without manually handling SAVOBJ, and without installing software on the receiving system?

The solution was a native IBM i tool that packages the objects directly into a standard ZIP file on the PC. The recipient receives a self-contained package with object security, pre-filled installation values, and the option to include an installation program that runs automatically upon completion of the load process. This makes professional distribution of IBM i applications simple and portable.

ZipSeries is available in two editions:

• Free Edition covers the basic packaging and loading process with no time limit or license cost.

• Professional Edition adds advanced installation features, including predefined values for host name, IP address, user profiles, and library locations. It also allows a CL program to run after installation and lets you customize the loading process with your own message and hyperlink.

For many IBM i installations, ZipSeries has become a permanent part of the infrastructure. It is accessible, stable, and gets the job done without demanding attention. That is exactly what a good distribution tool should do.

ZipSeries today

ZipSeries remains available, maintained, and supported - including in a free edition. ZipSeries is not part of the Sitemule platform. While IceBreak, IceCap, BlueSeries, and BlueNote now serve as the engines of Sitemule, ZipSeries remains a standalone tool. It solves a specific task, does it efficiently, and does not need to be part of a larger platform to deliver value.

At the same time, we are working on the next chapter. We are developing a modernized version of ZipSeries and invite all current users to share their ideas and experiences. Tell us which features you are missing and which workflows should be made simpler.

You know the tool in practice. That is why your input matters for the next version. Send us your feedback.

If your IBM i environment is also facing broader changes involving modernization, user interfaces, integrations, or workflows, Sitemule may be worth exploring.

What you get with ZipSeries

ZipSeries is a simple tool that does one job thoroughly:

• Simple distribution. Package an IBM i object, a program, or an entire library directly into a ZIP file on your PC - with no installation required on the receiving system and no manual use of SAVOBJ and RSTOBJ commands.

• Preserved object security. Authorities, user profiles, and object ownership are retained throughout the packaging and loading process.

• Predefined installation. In the Professional Edition, values such as host name, IP address, library, and user profile can be entered in advance, helping ensure that installation is completed correctly without manual setup.

• Post-installation automation. A CL program can be started automatically once the library has been loaded onto the receiving system.

• Custom branding. The Professional Edition lets you customize the installation process with your own message and hyperlink - useful for software vendors distributing IBM i solutions to customers.

• Flexible delivery. Packages can be distributed via email, download, USB, or other standard media.

• Free basic edition. The Free Edition covers the basic packaging and loading process with no license cost and no expiration date.

Two ways forward

• You already use ZipSeries. Download the latest version or contact our support team. You are also welcome to send us your ideas for the upcoming modernized version.
• You want to see what else we are developing. ZipSeries is part of a broader IBM i story. Explore the four engines in Sitemule and the platform they power.