Category: ISERIES PDF

Create iSeries XML the Easy Way with CoolSpools

Posted on December 20, 2013at 3:27 pm

Work in an IBM AS/400, System i or iSeries environment? Need to create XML files to import into web applications? Forget entering all the data manually – now it’s easier than ever…

IBM iSeries experts Ariadne Software have developed CoolSpools, a powerful, flexible spool file converter. Anyone running an iSeries is sure to find CoolSpools software incredibly useful – especially if you require XML files.

You see, CoolSpools can generate a wide range of file formats by converting your iSeries spool files. You can convert spool to PDF, Excel and – crucially – XML.

Here are just five reasons to consider using CoolSpools to produce XML from your iSeries…

Less risk of human error

Using CoolSpools to create XML minimises the risk of data being entered incorrectly. The data is taken directly from your spool files, which CoolSpools converts and outputs as XML. There’s no chance of human error – it’s all done for you using CoolSpools software.

Save time programming applications

As well as ensuring the integrity of your data, importing data using XML generated using CoolSpools software saves time. Why have interface files or new applications, when you can export from your spool files using XML and import the data into your applications?

CoolSpools software is easy to use

CoolSpools is so easy to use, you’ll soon become a master of converting spool files to XML, Excel, PDF and a whole host of other useful file formats.

CoolSpools software is flexible

It may be easy to learn, but CoolSpools is not just a mere simple spool file converter. You have control over what data you convert into XML from your spool files, ensuring you get all the data you need.

Ariadne Software offers comprehensive support for CoolSpools

Need help, assistance or updates for your CoolSpools software? Ariadne Software’s support page is always available at http://www.coolspools.com/Support.htm, with more in-depth tech support just an email or phone call away.

So why not start creating XML the simple, accurate and fast way using the CoolSpools spool file converter?

And remember, CoolSpools does so much more than convert spool to XML. You can also create iSeries PDFs, Excel, TIFFs, text files, HTML and other file formats. CoolSpools gives you total control over what you include, what you leave out, and to whom you email your converted iSeries documents.

Find out more about CoolSpools software – including their spool file converter, email management, database software and administration solutions – at http://www.coolspools.com/.

Beginner’s Guide to AS/400 XML & How CoolSpools Can Convert it For You

Posted on December 10, 2013at 11:20 am

If you work in an IBM AS/400, System i or iSeries environment, did you know it’s possible to convert data from your spool files into a variety of file formats? The easy way to do this is by using a spool file converter, such as CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/). This clever piece of software takes data direct from your System i spool files and converts into to file formats such as XML.

But why would you want to produce XML? The experts behind CoolSpools, Ariadne Software, explain:

First up – what is XML?

An abbreviation of “Extensible Markup Language”, XML is a format that presents information in a way that can be understood both by human readers and by machines.

What can I use XML for?

There are many uses for XML documents. They can be used to exchange data over the internet, to populate content management systems, for web development, database development… the uses are almost endless.

How do I produce XML documents?

If you’re running an IBM AS/400 server, the easiest way to populate XML documents with the data you need is by using a spool file converter and database tool such as CoolSpools software.

Sounds difficult!

Not with CoolSpools software. It’s designed to do all the hard work – the data extraction, the spool file conversion, the formatting… what you’ll get is AS/400 data that is ready to be imported into your CMS, web application or whatever else you need.

Why is using CoolSpools spool file converter better than manually creating interface files?

Many reasons! The data is coming direct and automatically from your AS/400 – so there’s no need to worry about human error leading to incorrect data. And converting AS/400 data automatically to XML is much, much faster than manually processing it, so you’ll save time too.

So what else can CoolSpools software do?

Too many things to mention here! As well as converting AS/400 data to XML, you can also convert spool files to PDF (and even insert images), convert spool files to Excel (and apply conditional formatting), convert spool files to HTML (ideal for web developers) plus a whole host of other popular file formats. CoolSpools can even email your outputted files to the recipients you specify – everything’s taken care of for you.

Find out more about how CoolSpools software can help you produce accurate, fast XML at http://www.coolspools.com/.

System i File Conversion Simplified With CoolSpools Software

Posted on November 25, 2013at 11:20 am

There are many great reasons to use file conversion software in order to make your working life easier, and to make mundane tasks take much less time. If you work with an IBM System i, AS/400 or iSeries server, there are several System i file conversion solutions to choose from – but perhaps the most impressive and fully-featured is CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/).

Developed by a team of IBM AS/400 experts at Ariadne Software, CoolSpools is the ideal solution when it comes to System i file conversion.

CoolSpools is a powerful spool file converter

CoolSpools software is, at its heart, a System i spool file converter. CoolSpools offers you an easy, hassle-free way of converting and presenting the data in your spool files in a format that can be easily distributed and understood.

CoolSpools coverts to a wide range of file formats

No matter what format you need to present your information in, CoolSpools can handle it. From AS/400 Excel files for financial reports to XML to populate your website, from PDF documents to HTML, CoolSpools is sure to have a file format to suit your System i file conversion needs.

Formatting however you need it with CoolSpools

CoolSpools is no mere spool file converter! As well as performing System i file conversion on your spool files, it can also format the output in a variety of ways. Splitting, merging, formatting, inserting images, conditional formatting in Excel… all can be handled by CoolSpools software, saving time and effort on your part.

Keep confidential data away from prying eyes

If security is an issue, there’s no need to worry with CoolSpools. After converting spool to PDF, CoolSpools software can even password protect the finished document. It can also add digital signatures to your document, so you and anyone else receiving the document will be able to tell if it’s been tampered with.

Distribution for your converted System i files

If you need to email different parts of your converted PDF or Excel file to multiple recipients, CoolSpools makes this easy. There are several methods available to you, depending on who you want your converted file to go to, and where your email addresses are stored.

No doubt about it. If you work in an IBM System i, AS/400 or iSeries environment, a spool file converter will make producing and editing documents so much easier. Using System i file conversion software such as CoolSpools ensures your data is accurate, well-presented and seen by all the right people.

Find out more about CoolSpools’ unparalleled System i file conversion functions, and how they can save you time and money, at http://www.coolspools.com/.

3 Everyday System i Tasks Made Easy

Posted on September 30, 2013at 8:52 am

If you work in an IBM System i, AS/400 or iSeries environment, there are many applications on the market than claim to make things easier and faster.

But are any of them as powerful as CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/)?

When it comes to converting spool to Excel, PDF, XML or many other popular file formats, few – if any – System i solutions on the market match the simplicity and versatility of CoolSpools software

Here are just three of the tasks involving System i Excel files, System i PDFs and XML that can be done quicker and easier using CoolSpools…

Task: Producing Excel Sales Reports 

Involves: Importing data into Excel. Applying any formatting. Splitting into multiple documents for sales territory or product type. Emailing different files to different recipients.

How CoolSpools software can help: CoolSpools takes the data straight from your System i spool files and converts it to Excel. But it does so much more than that! Your Excel files can be formatted for you, with color-coding and even conditional formatting. CoolSpools can even split your System i Excel files into multiple different files based on criteria you specify – then send your System i Excel files to multiple recipients.

Task: Producing PDF Quotes & distribute to recipients. 

Involves: Merging the relevant spool file data with company information such as logos and watermarks. Attaching business terms and conditions. Sending the PDFs by email.

How CoolSpools software can help: Again, the data is coming straight from your spool files, which the CoolSpools spool file converter outputs as a System i PDF – no manual entry needed. You don’t need to spend valuable time inserting and positioning images – if it’s a JPEG or GIF, the CoolSpools software can insert it into the PDF for you, plus it can merge or attach additional PDF’s. And once you tell CoolSpools software where to send the System i PDF files, consider them sent!

Task: Importing data into web applications.

Involves: Extracting the relevant data. Checking the veracity of the data. Creating XML for import.

How CoolSpools software can help: By taking care of everything! CoolSpools software can convert your spool file data to XML, ready to be imported into your web applications. You can be assured the data is correct, as it’s coming direct from your System i spools.

This is just a taste of how CoolSpools spool file converter can make your working life easier.

Whether you need Excel, PDF, XML, HTML, TIFF or CSV, CoolSpools can convert spool files to all these formats – and format the output however you desire.

So forget those mundane tasks – leave it all to CoolSpools. Find out more about this powerful System i spool file converter.

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.

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.

Is This The Most Powerful Spool File Converter Yet? Convert Your AS/400 Spooled Files With CoolSpools

Posted on April 24, 2013at 9:45 am

If you work within an AS/400 environment, wouldn’t it be great if you could take your spooled files and use them to communicate information across multiple channels? Wouldn’t you like to convert spool to PDF, or convert spool to Excel, and have the output files perfectly formatted and ready to go?

IBM experts’ Ariadne’s CoolSpools software (www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk) can provide your users with the right information, at the right time, in the right format. This powerful spool file converter can convert spool to Excel, iSeries PDF, iSeries XML and many other popular file formats. It provides a simple, reliable way to take an AS/400 data extract and turn it into end-user friendly documents whenever and however you need it.

But CoolSpools is no mere spool file converter. It offers powerful functionality that puts it way ahead of other AS/400 spool conversion tools. Here’s how it can help you transform the way you share information…

Split your spooled files into several documents

If you’re converting spool to Excel, for example for financial reports, you might want to split your System i Excel output files by date, region or product. Or perhaps you’d like to output AS/400 to PDF, but split into several System iPDF files. CoolSpools can split your AS/400 data extract into multiple documents – and each can be emailed to different recipients.

Merge and combine files

Maybe you need to merge several of your AS/400 PDF files into one document. You might want to append your converted AS/400 PDF to an existing PDF – one that wasn’t necessarily produced using CoolSpools. Or perhaps you’d like to add your newly-created AS/400 Excel file as a new worksheet in an existing Excel file. CoolSpools makes all of this simple – and as far as we’re aware, no other System i file conversion software offers you this functionality.

Format files however you like

After converting spool to Excel, you might need to format the document with color, borders, fonts or conditional formatting. CoolSpools can handle all of this, without having to reopen your Excel document to manually amend it. And after you convert spool to PDF, do you need to incorporate images such as corporate logos, watermarks or contact forms? CoolSpools has it covered.

Populate your website with AS/400 XML output

CoolSpools can do more than convert AS/400 spools for end user documentation. Its powerful iSeries XML conversion can output data that can be used to populate your website. No need to reprogram – just import the AS/400 XML direct.

So, do you need to convert spool to Excel? Convert spool to PDF? Or output XML? CoolSpools can do all of this and more – as well as formatting the output in a way that suits you.

And remember, CoolSpools software is created by Ariadne Software, well-established global experts in providing System i solutions – so you can trust it to be reliable as well as powerful.

Find out more at http://www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk.