Category: COOLSPOOLS
CoolSpools Version 8 Survey
Posted on February 14, 2020at 2:03 pm
Ariadne Software are pleased to announce that we are planning a major release of the CoolSpools product.
CoolSpools has grown substantially since it was launched as an AS/400 spool file conversion tool twenty years ago. The product now offers rich IBM i functionality including email distribution and database conversion capabilities. The last major release was in 2015, and we are keen to update CoolSpools with even more great features.
We welcome the input of our customers in setting the future direction of the CoolSpools product. If you would like to participate in a survey on potential features for CoolSpools Version 8 then please email sales@ariadnesoftware.co.uk
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Securing your files with Password Protection
Posted on December 05, 2018at 1:13 pm
You are probably aware that CoolSpools provides a suite of commands to convert from a secure IBM i (AS400, iSeries) SpoolFile, Query or database table to a multitude of file formats, but did you know that it also provides a mechanism to secure those files with password protection?
The CoolSpools PDF conversion commands CVTSPLPDF, CVTDBFPDF and MRGPDF all include parameters to password protect the generated PDF file using Adobe Acrobat functionality, and a new CoolSpools command LCKXLS allows you to leverage native MS Excel functionality to password protect any XLS or XLSX file stored on the IFS or a network folder accessible to the secure IBM i server.
Any other file types that do not natively support password protection, such as plain text files, can also be secured by compressing them into a password protected ZIP file using the CoolSpools command ZIPDTA.
For additional security, all of these commands provide the option to specify an encrypted password, so that the password value visible within your CL program source is not the actual password value needed to open the file.
To take full advantage of these features we recommend installing All Options of CoolSpools Version 7. Existing CoolSpools sites should apply the latest Version 7 fix pack to make use of the new Excel password protection command.
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CoolSpools Case Study – DUO, Netherlands
Posted on July 14, 2016at 9:27 am
Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) is the executive arm of the Netherlands national government for education. DUO finances and informs participants in education and educational institutions and organises examinations.
DUO uses CoolSpools for sending emails from IBM i partitions because prior to release 7.1 there was no native tool that would let you send emails with IFS based attachments. Most of the attachments are .zip files and .pdf files – the .zip files are created by DUO’s own software, the .pdf files via standard CPYSPLF functionality. The emails with attachments are used for both internal and external communications.
Ivar Eizenga – DUO’s IBM Power Infrastructure Manager says “Implementation using CoolSpools was pretty simple and working with CoolSpools and the support team has been brilliant so far. We’re currently moving our systems from Power7 to Power8 and we received all the extended licenses for our side-by-side operation without any major hassle, which in this time and age is kind of unique”.
CoolSpools Case Study – DiVal Safety Equipment
Posted on June 13, 2016at 8:45 am
Spool to PDF conversions help DiVal Safety Equipment, a large, US based distributor of safety and industrial products. They own and operate several offices and warehouses throughout the Eastern, Central & Southern United States.
How does DiVal use CoolSpools?
DiVal have hundreds of automated spool to PDF conversions for such things as emailing invoices, statements, purchase orders, acknowledgements, etc. and they are also starting to use CoolSpools to archive day-end reports which have historically been bound and stored.
CoolSpools is used by DiVal to convert (to PDF) and email artwork held on the IFS for their silk screening, needlework and tool repair processes and their team have written a CL with a prompt for a query name/library and email address, so that any member of staff who uses Query/400 can send & receive worksheets via email.
To achieve a workflow solution DiVal use RPG XML to create HTML which is put into the SNDCMN or CVT command so their customer gets an email with a “response” link, an attachment of the PDF document to be approved, buttons to Approve, Approve with Change or Decline, and a text box for comments. They are also able to embed a logo header and footer into the email using HTML pointing to a web server.
Paul McMahon of Dival Safety Equipment says “Having previously used IBM’s SNDDST with stand-alone PDF and Excel converters CoolSpools is day and night as to flexibility and ease of use, plus it’s more reliable. If you ask me to describe the CoolSpools product and support team it’s easy because I’ve said it to lots of people. They are absolutely hands down the best I’ve worked with. From guiding me through maps and template creation, to figuring out (and fixing) why certain Query/400 results error out, to help with attaching and embedding files and gifs for enhancing the display of emails. Every time I think I’m pushing the envelope, the CoolSpools folks have a suggestion or solution!”
CoolSpools Case Study – Bogod and Co (Bernina)
Posted on May 16, 2016at 9:00 am
Established in 1895, Bogod and Co Ltd are importers and distributors of sewing machines and the UK representative of the high-end Bernina sewing machines of Switzerland and the iconic Singer sewing machines.
Bogod & Co originally used CoolSpools to create PDF files from AS400 Spool files using the splitting function. Over the years their use of the product suite has increased and now they use CoolSpools to:
– Include graphics on outputs to create invoices and stationery that are used for customer communications and internal archiving.
– Email PDF’s.
– Generate Excel spreadsheets and html for business reporting
– Create and email Excel for sending information to suppliers e.g. purchase orders.
– Create order status xml AS400 reports for customers, for example John Lewis Director Stephen Bogod says “CoolSpools is very function rich and meets essential business requirements. It’s very well designed for integration with AS400 applications. Working with the CoolSpools team has been an excellent experience. The support team are just as helpful as the product developer in offering advice on how to use the product. They provide regular and responsive software updates and developments to address particular glitches or requirements – these updates are exceptionally valuable. In one example the CoolSpools team helped fix an issue we were having importing excel data into our AS400 for delivery reports from suppliers. The support we receive from the CoolSpools team is very impressive – they really do go above and beyond!”
CoolSpools Converts i Series files to XML
Posted on February 16, 2015at 2:32 pm
XML files (eXtensible Markup Language) are now widely used to share information with many different types of computer systems, in a format which is usable on all of them. Many web services use XML, because it is a flexible and open method of exchanging data between a diverse range of applications. CoolSpools ( http://www.coolspools.com/) can facilitate the conversion of your data from i Series technology into XML, without you having to get involved in the detailed programming or different technology.
Business as usual
As a non-proprietary language, XML is available in the public domain and is ideal for producing queries, reports and database extracts, whether you need to send these to customers, across businesses to trading partners or internally to staff. The brains behind CoolSpools have produced a software suite to facilitate information and data transfer from i Series systems to XML files and others besides. The advantage of using CoolSpools to help set up your file transfer to XML is that you know you are in safe hands and you can just carry on as normal whilst we set it all up for you.
XML – a standard for exchanging data
The back to back exchange of data between companies is key to the growth and success of businesses today. The ability to automatically place orders with suppliers, to check and confirm 3rd party stock and to receive next day delivery is what we expect as standard. At CoolSpools we understand the importance of sharing information and we provide packages specifically designed to facilitate the distribution of your System i data. So wherever you need to send your information, whether it is internal or external to your business, CoolSpools can handle it.
Impatience & high demand for information across the nation
We all live in a world increasingly dominated by social media, fly on the wall documentaries, texts, hashtag, Twitter and so on; where the culture is to expect everything to be immediate. In this environment we forget how slow information distribution used to be. By using CoolSpools you can ensure your stakeholders need not remember either!
Give us a call today and find out how Cool Spools can facilitate your XML file conversion on + 44 (0)1625 547962 or email sales@ariadne.co.uk.
CoolSpools – help save the environment, time and costs.
Posted on November 24, 2014at 3:31 pm
Surely these are common objectives for most global companies these days. At Ariadne, the well-established software expert, we have developed a piece of software that achieves all three of these aims in one. CoolSpools is a specialist product which converts IBM iSeries data into spreadsheets, emails and other more manageable and usable files.
How does it help to save the environment?
Historically data taken from iSeries databases has been printed out and circulated as a hard copy. Using the CoolSpools software appropriate information can be sorted, filtered and distributed all electronically by email or by allowing key personnel to access files directly from the server, so saving printing and paper. This obviously helps organisations reduce their paper usage whilst also saving time, both of which means cost savings too.
CoolSpools Converts iSeries Data to Excel Spreadsheets
Once you have the BASE element of the CoolSpools software, you can select from a variety of options to suit your business requirements. The Spool Converter option allows the user to convert spool files to Excel and other formats. Also the Email option enables multiple attachments to be emailed including Excel files. Converting your iSeries data from your database into one or several Excel spreadsheets then allows you or your analyst or perhaps your sales managers or operations director to interpret the data and use this crucial information to direct the business going forward. The Spool Converter has the functionality to produce internal reports which can be split reports in the form of multiple Excel spreadsheets.
Professional Looking Spreadsheets
No more green screen outputs as CoolSpools allows you to manipulate the converted Excel spreadsheets even including selecting fonts, colours and shading to ensure the style of the document is in keeping with the company format.
Simple to Set Up
With so much great functionality you might be concerned that all this takes a lot of setting up. Let us put your mind at rest, as it really is very simple, there is no complex set up – in fact it just requires one single command.
So if you would like to save time and money by distributing, archiving and publishing your data and reports electronically using information from your IBM iSeries database, then contact us for a chat about how CoolSpools can work for you on + 44 (0)1625 547962 or simply email sales@ariadnesoftware.co.uk.
AS/400 Data Management with CoolSpools Software
Posted on August 29, 2014at 1:26 pm
Your business relies on the accurate communication of data and information. If you’re using an IBM System i (AS/400 or iSeries) environment, your spool files can provide all the accurate data you need – but manipulating the data into the right format can be a painstaking, time-consuming task.
But help is at hand. Developed by the experts at Ariadne Software, CoolSpools is a powerful, simple and reliable System i file conversion tool. CoolSpools software can convert AS/400 spool files to Excel, PDF and XML.
Here are just a few of the many AS/400 CoolSpools document creation features:
- Inserting images into System i PDFs is easy with CoolSpools. Simply tell CoolSpools where to insert the JPEG or GIF format images as it converts your spool to PDF.
- When converting spool to Excel or PDF, tell CoolSpools the points at which the files need to be split – such as region name or invoice number. CoolSpools will split System i Excel output into separate files for you, saved in separate folders. Or it’ll split your converted System i PDFs into several documents, and can even email them to multiple email addresses.
- CoolSpools’ powerful spool file converter can automatically generate XML from your spool files for your web applications to access. This saves time on reprogramming the data, and as it’s coming from your spool files, the accuracy and integrity of your data is assured.
If you would like to read more about our CoolSpools solutions then visit our website http://www.coolspools.com/ or read some example reviews below to find out what our customers think.
“We use CoolSpools and are really pleased. It performs above and beyond. It has saved us 20% of our total paper bill”
Kenneth Mohn, Programmer, Large US Dairy
“Your support is the best. If you ever need a reference on your product (Coolspools) or your support, I would be happy to give it. If all support was as fast and good as yours, life would be so much easier.”
Jim Horn, CATCO, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
How to Convert Spool to Excel with CoolSpools
Posted on April 30, 2014at 12:53 pm
A great way of creating Excel documents with data from an IBM AS/400, iSeries or System i environment is by using a spool file converter. But if this is something you’ve never done before, where do you start when converting spool files to Excel?
The answer: CoolSpools, from IBM experts Ariadne Software. Their range of AS/400 solutions includes a powerful spool file converter that can output to a wide range of popular file formats, including Excel.
But why convert spool files to Excel?
There are lots of great reasons to convert spool files to Excel. Perhaps the most important is this: because the information is coming directly from your AS/400 you can rest assured that it’s accurate and up to date. There’s no chance of human error and the
Is it difficult to convert spool to Excel?
Not with CoolSpools spool file converter. Extracting the data from your spool file and converting it into Excel is a simple procedure – and you have a great deal of control over it. It’s so easy to learn, and should you have any issues, you can find a wealth of helpful information at http://www.CoolSpools.com/support.
Is converting spool files to Excel a time-consuming task?
Again, not with CoolSpools! You can convert spool files to Excel quickly and automatically, giving you the information you need, in the format you require, whenever you need it. What could be simpler?
After I convert spool files to Excel, will formatting the exported files be a laborious task?
By now, you can probably guess that the answer is “not with CoolSpools”! The powerful CoolSpools spool file converter doesn’t just convert spool to Excel – it can also carry out a whole host of management and formatting procedures.
Such as?
You can split one file into many. Append your new Excel sheet to an existing workbook. Format the output, including conditional formatting such as colour coding. And ensure the right people get the right info by controlling email distribution of your Excel spreadsheets. All this can be managed using CoolSpools software.
What other file formats can I convert to?
CoolSpools doesn’t just convert spool files to Excel. You can also convert spool files to PDF, XML, TIFF, text files, CSV, HTML and RTF. It could well be the most powerful and flexible AS/400 spool file converter on the market today.
Find out more about how to convert spool to Excel with CoolSpools software at http://www.coolspools.com/.
Benefits of Using CoolSpools Software to Produce Excel Spreadsheets
Posted on April 30, 2014at 12:47 pm
One of the fastest and most reliable ways of creating Excel spreadsheets from System i, iSeries or AS/400 spool files is by using a spool file converter. And one of the best, most powerful ways of converting spool files to Excel is with CoolSpools software. Here are seven reasons why…
1. Accurate Excel documents with up-to-date info
Convert spool files to Excel using CoolSpools software and you’re creating new spreadsheets the quickest, most convenient, most reliable way. And as the data comes direct from your spool files, it’s guaranteed to be up-to-date – and there’s no chance of human error.
2. As many – or as few – Excel files as you need
One single Excel file containing an entire spool file dump would be unwieldy and difficult for users follow. Splitting the output into multiple Excel files manually would be a time-consuming, tedious task. So let CoolSpools spool file converter do it all for you! Or maybe you have the opposite problem: you have an existing Excel spreadsheet, and you need to add a new worksheet created by converting spool to Excel. No problem! CoolSpools software can append the output as a new sheet within your existing Excel spreadsheet.
3. Filenames that make sense
CoolSpools spool file converter doesn’t give your converted AS/400 Excel documents meaningless nonsense as filenames. You can define the filenames so they mean something to you. It’ll make it easier to find the file you want, as well as saving the time it’d take to rename your files manually.
4. All the info you need, none of the info you don’t
Pages and lines can be dropped quickly and easily. Just define the parameters of what you need to exclude (for example cells with specific values) and they’ll be removed from your AS/400 Excel documents right away.
5. Create Excel files as attractive as they are accurate
Presentation matters, both in terms of looking professional and producing easy-to-read materials. Colors, fonts, shading and borders can help – and all this can be done to your AS/400 Excel spreadsheets by CoolSpools. It can even handle conditional formatting for color-coding.
6. Excel can be created without a PC!
CoolSpools spool file converter can handle all of the above tasks without you ever having to log into a PC – it does everything within the AS/400, System i or iSeries environment.
7. Get Excel output from your database files
Extract data from your database files and convert it to Excel spreadsheets, CoolSpools software has this covered too, with the CoolSpools Database package. This software also boasts the same powerful formatting tools you’ll find with CoolSpools spool file converter.
Find out more about making Excel file creation easier than ever with CoolSpools software: visit http://www.coolspools.com/.