Category: AS400
Producing Business Documents: What to Avoid & Spool Converter Help
Posted on July 19, 2013at 12:47 pm
Whether presenting to the board, communicating across the company or trying to impress potential new clients or partners, it’s important to present documents with clear, accurate information.
A great way to ensure the accuracy of your documents is to produce them from spool files using a spool file converter, and if you work with an IBM as400 (System I, iSeries) server, perhaps the most powerful spool file converter on the market is CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/).
Here are four potential pitfalls when producing documents for business – and how CoolSpools software can help you avoid them.
1. Inaccurate or out-of-date data
In fast-moving business environments, information is constantly changing. Offer inaccurate of outdated information and not only could it be personally embarrassing to you – it could also come with a huge cost to your business
Because CoolSpools uses data taken directly from your System i spool file, its veracity is guaranteed. Your iSeries PDF, Excel file or XML extract will have the same info as your iSeries spool file, preventing potential human errors.
2. Irrelevant information is included
Overloading your recipients with information must be avoided. If the reader can’t find the information that’s relevant to them, they may just stop looking for it. Remember, not everyone needs everything!
With CoolSpools software, it’s easy to covert spool to PDF or Excel and then split the output into multiple documents, based on criteria you specify. CoolSpools can even email the split System i Excel files and PDFs to multiple email addresses – so everyone gets the info they need, and nothing more.
3. Multiple documents where one will do
A similar issue is caused by sending too many documents to you recipients. How will they know which to read first – and will they bother with the subsequent ones?
A great – and unique – feature of CoolSpools is that you can convert your as400 spool to Excel or PDF then append the converted document to existing Excel spreadsheets or PDFs – even if they weren’t created by CoolSpools.
4. Your documents look off-putting – or off-brand
Boring looking documents are likely to go unread. And if your marketing department are sticklers for brand identity, you’ll have to ensure all corporate logos are present and correct.
This is easy with CoolSpools software. It can insert JPEGs or GIFs into your System i PDF documents for you – so your documents won’t just be accurate and relevant, they’ll also look great and on-brand too.
About CoolSpools software
Developed by IT experts Ariadne Software, CoolSpools provides a simple, reliable spool file converter for IBM as400, iSeries and System i. Whether you need to convert spool to AS/400 PDF, Excel or XML, you’ll find it simple and reliable.
Find out more about CoolSpools software at http://www.coolspools.com/.
System i Information Management Made Easy
Posted on July 11, 2013at 12:46 pm
Are you getting the most from your System i environment? Is your data managed, extracted and communicated in the most efficient manner? Or do you feel like your System i databases and spool files could be working harder for you?
If so, the CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) software suite could be just what you need, as we provide system i information management.
Developed by IBM as400 experts Ariadne, CoolSpools is the complete System i information management solution. With CoolSpools you can manage emails, administer spool files, and convert database and spool extracts to System i PDF, Excel, XML, HTML and many other formats.
Here’s an overview of the four powerful packages on offer from CoolSpools – and how they could help you make the most of your System i environment…
Database extracts to suit you
Extracting information from your System i database into Excel, HTML or XML is so much easier thanks to CoolSpools Database. All as400 database files are supported, and if used in conjunction with CoolSpools Spool Converter it can even extract data from your database into PDFs.
Spool file administration
Get full control over your System i spool files with this powerful administration software. With automated conversion, distribution and management tools, the ability to work with online AS/400 spool files, plus the option to run the same command against multiple iSeries spools, you’ll have unprecedented, unparalleled control over your System i spool files.
Convert spool to Excel, PDF and more…
Perhaps the most impressive of CoolSpools’ tools is its spool file converter. Convert spool to Excel, PDF or XML. Split your as400 Excel files or PDFs into multiple documents – or append them to existing documents. Insert conditional formatting into System i Excel files, or images into your iSeries PDFs. There’s so much it can do – and it’s so easy to use.
Flexible email management tools
Once you’ve converted your System i spool file to your required format, such as iSeries PDF or Excel, you’ll want to ensure the right people receive the right files, and at the right time. Here’s where CoolSpools’ email management software comes in. The software is highly customisable, allowing for up to 32 attachments, and emails can be sent via the command line or from programs via API.
Each of the four pieces of CoolSpools software can be purchased individually, but buy them together and not only will you have a complete as400 informational management suite at your fingertips, you’ll also make huge savings.
So what are you waiting for? Take control of your System i environment with CoolSpools software and you won’t believe you ever managed without it.
System i Document Creation: Problems Solved
Posted on June 26, 2013at 4:10 pm
When communicating information throughout your business, there are several factors to consider. Accuracy is, of course, a given. You want to ensure the right people are given the right information, without being distracted or confused by extraneous details. And you’ll need to ensure its well-presented and easy to digest.
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 with spool file converter software – and if you’re using an IBM System i (e.g. AS/400 or iSeries) environment, CoolSpools software makes it all so easy.
Developed by well-established IT experts Ariadne , CoolSpools is a powerful, simple and reliable System i file conversion tool. CoolSpools software can convert AS/400 spool filea to Excel, PDF and XML.
Here are just a few of the many AS/400 document creation problems that become a thing of the past with CoolSpools…
PROBLEM: You need to produce documents including several images, such as a company logo, diagrams, forms or perhaps even photography. Inserting and formatting the images within your documents is a time-consuming process you’d rather avoid.
HOW COOLSPOOLS CAN HELP: Inserting images into System i PDFs is a doddle with CoolSpools. Simply tell CoolSpools where to insert the JPEG or GIF format images as it converts your spool to PDF.
PROBLEM: You’re producing a report for multiple recipients, but each recipient must only receive the part of the report that’s relevant to them. For example you may require invoices for multiple clients, or sales reports for managers covering different areas.
HOW COOLSPOOLS CAN HELP: 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.
PROBLEM: Your spool files contain a large amount of data you intend to use to populate your website. You need an easy way to import the data without manually re-entering it.
HOW COOLSPOOLS CAN HELP: 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.
These are just a handful of the ways the CoolSpools software can help you produce clear, accurate and visually-attractive documents from your AS/400 data extracts. Find out more about what CoolSpools could do for you, and the reason it’s already a global success, at www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk.
5 Great Reasons to Choose CoolSpools Software
Posted on June 26, 2013at 4:07 pm
Converting System i Spool Files:
If you use your IBM System i (or AS/400 or iSeries) spool files to populate documents or feed web applications, you’ll know there are a number of spool file converters on the market, each making bold claims about how it’s the most powerful, most fully-featured or easiest to use.
With this in mind, you may take our claim that CoolSpools really IS the most powerful, most fully-featured, easiest to use System i spool file converter with a pinch of salt.
But wait. Hear us out.
Created by well-established global IT solutions providers Ariadne Software, there’s a compelling case to be made that CoolSpools software really is the best there is. So here are five compelling reasons why CoolSpools is the number 1 IBM System i file conversion solution:
REASON 1: CoolSpools can convert your AS/400 data extract to a multitude of file formats
There are so many different reasons why you may wish to convert your AS/400 data extract. You might want to convert spool to Excel for invoices or sales reports. You might want to convert spool to PDF for briefing documents. You may want to produce AS/400 XML to populate web applications. CoolSpools can handle all of the above – as well as converting spools to text, CSV, HTML, RTF or TIFF.
REASON 2: CoolSpools software does not require a PC to convert from spools
With CoolSpools, all of your spool file conversion is handled in System i – but you can, of course, access your converted iSeries PDF, XML and Excel files via a PC if you wish.
REASON 3: CoolSpools can deal with many different iSeries spool file formats
Whether your spool files are *SCS, *AFPDS, *IPDS, *USERASCII, *LINE or *AFPDSLINE format, CoolSpools can easily convert them into the file format you need.
REASON 4: Comprehensive System i file conversion features
There’s so much CoolSpools can do with your converted spool files – and it’s all so simple. Whether you need to split your iSeries PDF or Excel file into multiple documents (and email them to multiple recipients), drop unwanted sections from your converted files, insert JPEGs of GIFs, or password protect your converted System i PDF, CoolSpools makes it simple.
REASON 5: Powerful features unique to CoolSpools
CoolSpools can also perform tasks that no other System i file conversion solution can handle. For example, with CoolSpools you can append your converted iSeries Excel or PDF file to an existing document – even if it wasn’t created using CoolSpools. As far as we’re aware, no other AS/400 file conversion tool can do this.
If we’ve convinced you that CoolSpools is the ultimate IBM System i file conversion solution, or you’d like to find out more about what it can do for you, visit www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk.
How Spool File Converters Can Help Your Business
Posted on June 01, 2013at 12:02 pm
Is your business using AS/400 (System i) to its full potential?
Could you be making better use of your data extracts? Maybe you’re wasting time performing tasks that could be automated – and as we all know, wasted time is wasted money.
Spool file conversion software can make life much easier for you. And the most powerful AS/400 spool file converter on the market is CoolSpools, produced by well-established global System i experts Ariadne Software (www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk).
Here’s a quick look at what CoolSpools could do for you…
What is a spool file converter?
Simple! A spool file converter is a piece of software that takes your spooled System i files and coverts them from a hard-to-understand data extract into an easy-to-read document, in the format of your choice e.g. spool file to PDF.
What formats can CoolSpools export to?
With CoolSpools software, you can perform System i file conversion to a number of popular formats. Want to convert spool to Excel? Consider it done. Convert spool to PDF? Not a problem. Export your AS/400 data extract to XML? Piece of cake! CoolSpools’ reliable software makes it all so simple.
How much control do I have over the converted files?
Plenty. If you need conditional formatting and color-coding in your System i Excel files, that can be automated. Need images, text formatting and other style features in your iSeries PDFs? CoolSpools can do it. Want to split your System i PDF into multiple documents? Tell CoolSpools where to split, and it’ll split it for you. CoolSpools can also merge the System i PDF and Excel files it creates with your existing documents – even if they weren’t created in CoolSpools.
Sounds impressive. But how does a spool file converter help my business?
By creating documents direct from your AS/400 data extract, the accuracy and integrity of your data is assured. By automating the document production process, you’re saving time – and therefore you’re saving money. And the incredible levels of flexibility and customization offered by CoolSpools means that you can get the information you need, in the format you need, whenever you need it.
Output the latest sales figures to an AS/400 Excel spreadsheet. Produce an attractive AS/400 PDF to present to clients, complete with company branding. Import iSeries XML into web applications rather than manually entering data. You can do all this – and much more – with the easy-to-use CoolSpools software.
This is really just scratching the surface of how CoolSpools’ powerful information management software will boost your productivity. Find out more at www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk.
Accuracy and Presentation: Both Easy with AS/400 Spool File Conversion
Posted on May 23, 2013at 12:00 pm
When compiling reports, documents and presentations, it goes without saying that accuracy is imperative. If your reported stats and data are flawed, not only could it lead to professional embarrassment, you could also be responsible for bad business decisions – with potentially costly consequences.
If your business uses an IBM System i (AS/400) environment, there are powerful System i file conversion tools that can take your AS/400 spool and convert it to several different formats. Using such a spool file converter, accurate data is assured.
But don’t forget – as well as accuracy, great presentation is essential. And it’s here where Ariadne Software and CoolSpools shine.
Ariadne (www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk) are well-established global experts in all things System i. Their CoolSpools software offers a simple and reliable way of converting AS/400 spools to PDF, AS/400 Excel, AS/400 XML and more. Here’s why presentation matters – and how CoolSpools gets it right.
Documents that aren’t easy to read don’t get read
Businesspeople are busy. They need information quickly, accurately and in a way that they can digest fast. If your converted spools need a degree in cryptology to follow, they’ll be ignored. Manually manipulating the AS/400 output is one solution, but it’s incredibly time-consuming.
With CoolSpools, you have complete control over the formatting. Need to convert spool to Excel? No problem – and you can easily add styles and conditional formatting to make your System i Excel files easy to follow. Want to convert AS/400 to PDF? Easy! And you can create an index to make your document so easy to follow. You can also split your System i PDF or Excel files into multiple documents, combine them with existing documents, and tell CoolSpools what to leave out and what to leave in – making sure the recipient gets all the info they need, and only the info they need.
Stay on brand and retain your corporate identity
In today’s business world, branding is paramount. While it may be of little importance in your role, the marketing team will explode with rage if the documents you present don’t adhere to brand guidelines – especially they are to be circulated outside the business.
CoolSpools will ensure your converted spools won’t offend your brand police. If you covert spool to PDF, it’s so easy to incorporate images and logos in JPEG or GIF format, as well as ensuring you’re using the correct typefaces. Not only will the recipient of your iSeries PDF be impressed with the accuracy of information – they’ll also be delighted you’ve stayed on brand!
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to CoolSpools, the complete information management system for IBM System i.
For more information on how you can convert spool to PDF, AS/400 Excel or iSeries XML using CoolSpools’ simple spool file conversion software, and the many other wonderful features CoolSpools can offer you, visit www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk.