SPG Fall 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our Shadowbase Fall 2025 Newsletter!

Paul Holenstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Technologist

As the last of the regional events draws to a close and we wrap up the year through the upcoming holidays, we want to thank you all for an amazing set of achievements in 2025! This has been a year of great growth and excitement as we have worked with many of you to deploy new Shadowbase solutions into your enterprises.

“Out” are the drop-in days of point-product solutions, “in” are the days of extensive partnership with our customers to provide full-featured multi-aspect deployments that span many functional areas: from mission-critical business continuity, to high-volume heterogeneous data integration, to data validation proving to auditors and key stakeholders that everything is working properly, to the new and rapidly evolving world of digital resilience protection against malware and ransomware threats.

We are hard at work building out new features and enhancements, as well as entirely new solutions, that address customer pain points in their business processing. We appreciated the opportunity to meet and work with many of you, and offer to those we missed an opportunity for one-on-ones to address your specific needs and concerns. We felt the RUGs, TUGs, and customer/user events to be particularly fruitful this year, regardless of where they were held. I am proud of my business development, marketing, and sales teams for their endurance as they globe-trotted to the various shows.

Personnel Changes

On the personnel front, we were sad to see our friend and long-time Shadowbase Product Manager, Keith Evans, retire at the end of 2024. We will sorely miss his product leadership experience and British sharp wit. However, I am proud to share that Paden Holenstein, my son, has stepped into that role. From his marketing roots to his time in business development, he has learned and earned his spot in helping to shape the future of our product base. Be sure to stop in at our booth and say “hi” to him as he makes his way around the globe at the various events.

We were also sad to see Susan Loeliger Pridham, our longtime Marketing Manager, retire in April 2025. She is now happily enjoying traveling and spending time with her extended and growing family, especially her newest grandkids. She sorely misses her longtime corporate friends, especially in Connect, but as Susan recently said to me, “Nothing beats the joy of new babies!”

Exciting POCs

It has been a busy year so far, and we completed more than a dozen POCs (proofs-of-concept) and trials with new customers that ended in sales. Add in the usual effort assisting customers with platform refreshes, product upgrades, further sales penetration, and zero downtime migrations, and we were simply swamped most of the year. It was a “good way to be busy.”

I also want to share some excitement regarding new innovations in our product lines:

• Our Shadowbase Zero Data Loss (ZDL) product was born
• We deployed a new cloud integration technology that improved cloud (actually any) heterogeneous data integration performance by 10x-100x
• We deployed an early release of our new heterogeneous compare technology, allowing the validation of NonStop data with Windows/SQL Server databases; many more database combinations to follow
• We are hard at work on our first release of digital resilience technology to combat malware and thwart ransomware attacks
• and much more (see below)

Future Focus

We have refreshed our partnerships with HPE Professional Services and HPE Education to refresh their HPE Shadowbase knowledge and content. Keep an eye out for a new class in your region.

We look forward to ongoing success as 2025 wraps up and 2026 begins. We are excited to continue to help our customers achieve their Business Continuity, Data Integration, Data Validation, and Digital Resilience objectives, and provide even more exciting features that will be discussed in our next newsletter. Until then, we deeply appreciate your use of our products and thank you for your continued interest in Shadowbase software.

Have any suggestions for making our newsletter better? Let us know! We love feedback.

Product Management Updates

Keith Evans’ Retirement

• In case you missed the last newsletter, we announced that Keith Evans, our former Product Manager, retired in December.
• Several of us were just out in “his neck of the woods” (California) and enjoyed reconnecting with Keith. So far, we’ve heard that Keith is enjoying his retirement and traveling quite a bit (even on a cruise in Norway!).

Taken by our longtime friend, Keith! Geirangerfjord (Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint)

NEW Supported Operating System and Databases Compatibility Form

Users can now check if Shadowbase software is compatible with common Source and Target Operating Systems and Database environments. We’re thrilled to enable our customers to view potential sources and targets that Shadowbase software supports. (Please note this is not a comprehensive list, consult with Gravic or your reseller to confirm support.)

Check out our new form to find out which databases and platforms are supported.

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My First Year as a Product Manager

Product Manager, Paden Holenstein

• In any new role, the first year is typically a period of learning and onboarding:
  • So far, this year has been nothing short of that.
  • My focus has shifted away from daily Marketing activities to supporting our Development team and adopting a wider, bigger-picture approach.
• The first few months were difficult, including:
  • Unfamiliar terms
  • Adopting new perspectives such as:
    • “How does this work?”
    • “How do the pieces fit together?”
  • Through it all, I’m gaining an appreciation for Gravic’s world-class Development and relatively Agile Development approach.
• Despite this transition period and growing pains, I’m very impressed with our Team and look forward to guiding, directing, and empowering us to reach new heights in the years to come.
• As I mentioned in our last Newsletter, while there is still much to learn, I’m very excited to be undertaking this role.

Shadowbase Roadmap

• In this new role, I’ve had the opportunity to work with diverse Team members across the organization and put together our Product Roadmap (new product releases are bolded):
  • Recent Releases
    • Shadowbase Zero Data Loss Release 1: Initial Release
    • High-performance Cloud Integration
      • Array-based processing enables 10-100x performance increase for integrating HPE Nonstop with Cloud environments
    • Kafka and JSON Support
      • Dramatically improved Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) Toolkit ease-of-use for transformation, loading, and streaming data from Nonstop to:
        • Kafka
        • JSON
        • Flat-files (CSV, fixed position, tab-delimited)
        • Other cloud environments such as API’s
    • Compare Wildcarding for Easier Configuration
      • Customers can now include any node, volume, subvolume, and filename
      • We also added the ability to skip multiple files and tables
  • Expected Late This Year / Early 2026
    
    • Compare Plus R1
      • This new Solution extends the existing Shadowbase Compare (like-to-like data validation) by adding new functionality to compare data between HPE Nonstop and off-platform (“Other Server”) DBs
      • Shadowbase Compare Plus pulls the data from Other Servers and runs the comparison processing on the NS
      • Note that this Solution will be released in phases – R1 includes:
        • Compare Nonstop (MP and MX) sources vs. Windows/SQL Server or Linux/Oracle targets
      • HPE Nonstop Customers have been asking for this functionality for quite some time; contact us if you are interested in testing with a TCD version
  • Expected in 2026
    •  Compare Plus R2-R4
      • R2: Nonstop SQL (MP and MX) vs. Db2, Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, & others
      • R3: Compare Enscribe vs. Oracle, SQL Server, Db2, Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, & others
      • R4: Compare Enscribe vs. HPE NS SQL (MP & MX) databases
    • Digital Resilience R1
      • New product to expedite data and application recovery after a Malware / Ransomware attack
    • Enhanced Data Recovery
      • Advanced features to recover and replay data more easily and rapidly
    • DoLockStep
      1. Delivering/safe-storing the replicated data on the target DB, or
      2. Applying the replicated data into the target DB
    • ZDL R2: Bi-directional
  • Future
    • Malware Detection and Prevention
    • ZDL R3: SQL/MX Support
    • ZDL R4: Maximum Reliability Mode
    • Shadowbase AI
    • SPLUNK and Cloud APIs
    • OpenTelemetry Integration for status, statistics, and monitoring using the latest open source tools

New Articles

• We had the opportunity to publish several great articles in the second half of this year. Two of which we would like to share below, click here to go to our online library of publications.
  • Gravic Publishes ‘The Connection’ Article: Follow The 3-2-1-1 Rule to Protect Your Mission-Critical Data from Ransomware

    • Our article explains why ransomware and malware growth makes strong data protection essential, introducing the 3-2-1-1 rule: multiple copies of data, stored on different media, with one air-gapped and one immutable or off-site.

    • With global cybercrime damages expected to surpass 10.5 trillion dollars in 2025, the article stresses the need for layered, modern resilience practices.

    • We also highlight emerging regulations such as the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), which are pushing organizations worldwide to strengthen digital resilience requirements.

  • Gravic Publishes ‘The Connection’ Article: Unleash the Power of Your Trapped Data Across the Enterprise, to the Cloud, and Beyond

    • Our article explains how Shadowbase Data and Application Integration (DIAI) helps organizations unlock trapped data by breaking down silos and enabling real-time analytics, decision-making, and innovation.

    • We highlight how Shadowbase DIAI supports data integration, application integration, and event-driven architectures (EDAs) so enterprises can move, transform, and act on data across diverse systems—including the cloud.

    • We share a European steel manufacturer’s success story, which shows how using Shadowbase DIAI improved reporting speed, efficiency, and insight by offloading analytics without impacting production.

Marketing Updates

HPE Shadowbase Presents on High Availability and Digital Resilience at OZTUG25

• Paden Holenstein and Ken Scudder presented on HPE Shadowbase innovations including Digital Resilience, Zero Data Loss, and Heterogeneous Compare.

• Discussion focused on ransomware attacks and new government initiatives, such as the Australian Cyber Security Strategy, driving the need for new data protection and recovery architectures.

• HPE shared its NonStop strategy and roadmap, highlighting how HPE Shadowbase enhances system protection, business continuity, and manageability.

  

  L-R: Collin Yates, Paden Holenstein, Daniel Craig, and Ken Scudder at OZTUG 2025

Gravic Presents HPE NonStop Virtual Webinar with NuWave and TCM

• NuWave Technologies, TCM Solutions, and Gravic showcased their latest innovations, new product releases, and cutting-edge technologies.

• Presenters explored tools designed to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and drive business growth.

• Attendees gained insights from industry experts on emerging technologies and new solutions shaping the future of HPE NonStop.

We had fun presenting virtually this year with the first VTUG!

HPE Shadowbase Presents on High Availability and Digital Resilience at ChileTUG

• Kenneth Scudder and María Luisa Mendoza presented at the inaugural ChileTUG NonStop user group event in Santiago.

• Their presentation covered the growing need for new data protection and recovery architectures—such as air-gapped systems, bare-metal recovery, immutable storage, and data vaults—driven by ransomware and government initiatives.

• They introduced HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience solutions designed to ensure rapid, trusted data recovery for mission-critical systems.

L-R: Ken Scudder and Maria Luisa Mendoza of Gravic, and Fabian Manfredi and Neil Davis of HPE.

Gravic Presents on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience at SunTUG

• Paden Holenstein presented on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience for NonStop Systems at the SunTUG Sunshine Summit in Tampa.

• The presentation highlighted ransomware threats and new government initiatives, such as DORA, driving the need for advanced data protection and recovery architectures.

• Key innovations reviewed included HPE Shadowbase Zero Data Loss and Heterogeneous Compare, supporting rapid and reliable data recovery.

John Vollers of HPE presenting the HPE NonStop Roadmap at SunTUG.

HPE Shadowbase Presents on High Availability and Digital Resilience at MexTUG

• Kenneth Scudder and María Luisa Mendoza presented HPE Shadowbase: High Availability and Data Integration for HPE NonStop Systems at MexTUG in Mexico City.

• They discussed the growing demand for new data protection and recovery architectures—such as air-gapped systems, bare-metal recovery, immutable storage, and data vaults—driven by ransomware and government initiatives.

• The presentation highlighted HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience solutions, enabling rapid, trusted data recovery for mission-critical systems.

Ken Scudder presents on HPE Shadowbase at MexTUG

Maria Mendoza (left) with Tatiana Andrews, Master of Ceremonies

Gravic Presents on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience at N2TUG

• Paden Holenstein presented an overview of HPE Shadowbase and provided an update on Gravic’s developing Data Recovery solution for Digital Resilience.

• The session covered key innovations such as Zero Data Loss, Heterogeneous Compare, and recent customer implementations.

• N2TUG featured strong attendance, valuable networking, and engaging presentations from HPE and other vendors highlighting the latest NonStop advancements.

Paden Holenstein presents at N2TUG.

Gravic Presents on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience at NYTUG

• Paden Holenstein presented on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience for HPE NonStop Systems at NYTUG 2025 in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

• The event focused on key industry themes such as Digital Resilience, Data Security, Compliance, and Artificial Intelligence, with attendees actively engaging in discussions.

• It was a successful day of reconnecting with longtime customers, networking, and sharing insights across the NonStop community.

Paden Holenstein presents at NYTUG 2025.

Gravic Presents on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience at CTUG

• Paden Holenstein and Paul Holenstein presented on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience for HPE NonStop Systems at CTUG in Mississauga, focusing on Digital Resilience, Data Security, Compliance, and Artificial Intelligence.

• The event featured highly engaging discussions with longtime and potential customers, highlighting Shadowbase’s resilience and the evolving needs around ransomware and data architectures.

• Attendees valued networking opportunities, Education Day sessions, and conversations on emerging AI applications and regulatory-driven data protection strategies.

Paul Holenstein presenting on day two of CTUG.

Gravic Presents on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience at eBITUG

• Ken Scudder, Paden Holenstein, and Paul Holenstein presented on HPE Shadowbase Digital Resilience for HPE NonStop Systems, covering Business Continuity, Data and Application Integration, Data Validation, Ransomware Protection, and Compliance with DORA.

• The event included advanced training on immutability compliance, discussions with partner guest speakers, and the awarding of the Shadowbase Hall of Fame to Rick Stather.

• eBITUG featured strong community engagement, inspiring keynotes, networking, historic Dublin tours, and a memorable gala dinner with Irish music and dance.

Ken Scudder presents the “Shadowbase Hall of Fame” Award to Rick Stather.

Gravic at the HPE NonStop Technology & Business Conference (TBC) 2025

• Kenneth Scudder and Paden Holenstein led sessions on Shadowbase, including Ensuring High Availability and Digital Resilience in a Ransomware World and Unleash the Power of Your Trapped Data, highlighting strategies for safeguarding mission-critical data, breaking down silos, and leveraging AI and cloud.

• The conference featured community-building sessions like New to NonStop: Join Us!, partner showcases such as Resilience Redefined for Thailand’s banking sector, and awards recognizing 30 years of sustained Shadowbase excellence.

• Additional sessions focused on business continuity, ransomware recovery, and data consistency (TMF), with strong engagement, networking, and hands-on education throughout the four-day event.

Scott Randall (left) receives a Shadowbase Hall-of-Fame (HoF) award from Ken Scudder (right) for FIS

Our happy cowboys and cowgirls at TBC

Gravic Presented at BITUG Little SIG on HPE Shadowbase Solutions

• Paden Holenstein presented on HPE Shadowbase, covering Data and Application Integration, Digital Resilience, and the product roadmap at BITUG Little SIG in London.

• The presentation emphasized strategies to ensure high availability and protect mission-critical data against growing malware and ransomware threats.

• Attendees explored best practices for data recovery, connectivity frameworks, and high-availability capabilities for HPE NonStop systems.

Paden Holenstein presents on HPE Shadowbase DIAI, Digital Resilience, and Product Roadmap at BITUG Little SIG 2025.

There are two utilities included in Shadowbase for Nonstop that we want to highlight.

• Lock Listing Tool (SBLSLOCK): This tool is used to summarize all the locks on a specific file or SQL/MP table. It also lists all the partitions, alternate key files/indexes, and associated locks for the specified file or table. It can be very helpful to identify all the participants in the same transaction or locking operation. For example, here’s how it looks when showing lock information for a specific file called KSPART:
  

  Lock Listing Tool (SBLSLOCK)

• Transaction Listing Tool (SBLSTRAN): This tool is used to list all the transactions on a system that are currently monitored by TMF. In an optional brief mode, the program will only display the timestamp of the oldest transaction on a system, which is useful for planned cut-over/fail-over scenarios. It is also often useful for getting a good picture of all TMF transaction activity on a system. For example, here’s what the output looks like when there are three active transactions on the system:

Transaction Listing Tool (SBLSTRAN)

Shadowbase Professional Services

Since our Spring newsletter, we have concluded a large proof-of-concept (POC) in Europe. This POC also resulted in the development of a new Shadowbase feature for our Business Continuity offering (more on this in the next newsletter). We have also completed a massive POC in Japan (22k TPS!) and are currently concluding one in the US. All are in the finance industry.

In addition, we completed several Shadowbase upgrades in conjunction with HPE platform refreshes.

We also embarked on establishing a close working relationship with both HPE Services and HPE Education to assist with developing Shadowbase services and the delivery of these services by HPE Services, with refreshed training for Shadowbase to be delivered by HPE Education.

We are also working diligently on simplified frameworks and templates to make Shadowbase customer POCs, trials, and implementations easier for our customers.

We completed training sessions with a partner in Europe to help provide better support to their Shadowbase customers. We also completed training in preparation for a new POC to do a heterogeneous data integration implementation for a BASE24 application.

We also have several initiatives moving forward in Asia and the Middle East related to BASE24 implementations to replace existing replication solutions with Shadowbase. If your current replication solution is suffering from data locking issues, data integrity or consistency issues, or any other form of annoying replication malady, please contact us as Shadowbase in 2025 has relived these pain points for many customers that previously used other solutions.

Upcoming Releases (Coming Soon!)

Shadowbase Version 7.010 for HPE NonStop J and L-series Features

• Shadowbase Zero Data Loss (ZDL) support for bidirectional replication
• SBMXSERV, previously available as an add-on user exit, is now directly configurable as a part of core Shadowbase with enhanced functionality (allows preserving SYSKEYs and provides other MX capabilities for MP tables during replication, eliminating the need to configure OSS or ODBC/MX)
• Support and best practices for using Shadowbase to replicate IBM MQ environments in business continuity active/passive architectures
• Enhancements to the Shadowbase Queue Manager (QMGR), including a new QDATAREPLAY command, which allows for adjusting the replication point at the Queue Manager level
• User Exit enhancements, including direct support for C++ user exits, as well as the ability to include User Exits via DLLs.
• And much more!

Shadowbase Version 6.820 for Other Servers Features

• Additional enhancements to the ODBC Array-based processing mode, including support for:
  • Expanded rollout to the suite of databases and operating systems supported by Shadowbase
  • Additional options for INSERT and UPDATE statement conversions (so-called “fuzzy replication” enhancements)
  • Enhanced error handling options, including use of SHAD_SQL_ERROR_INVALID_NUM and SHAD_SQL_ERROR_MAPTO
• Simplified configuration of installation locations

SQL Compare Version 6.900

• Supports heterogeneous compare between HPE NonStop SQL/MP and SQL/MX databases and the following platforms and databases:
  • Windows – SQL Server
  • RHEL – Oracle

Hewlett Packard Enterprise globally sells and supports Shadowbase solutions under the name Shadowbase Solutions for HPE Nonstop and Other Server Software

HPE chose Shadowbase as its strategic, go-forward, data replication solution for Nonstop and Other Server environments. For more information, please contact your local HPE account representative or visit our website.

For Shadowbase support, HPE Shadowbase customers should contact the GNSC; otherwise, please use your normal support contact information supplied in your customer agreement.

Always feel free to reach out to me and the entire Shadowbase Team to discuss whatever is on your mind.

With kind regards,

Paul J. Holenstein
Executive Vice President
Gravic, Inc.

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