Category: SPOOL FILE TO PDF
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!”
Posted on November 03, 2015at 11:45 am
Communication in the modern world – converting iSeries files to xml
Communication has always been key to development, strategy, progress and indeed survival, but in the modern world individuals and organisations alike often suffer from communication overload. That is why it is increasingly important that information is filtered and delivered to the recipient in a meaningful and relevant way. Converting important data from your iSeries system to be shared across intranets, the world wide web and elsewhere requires a flexible file format. CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) has been developed to facilitate the conversion of iSeries spool files and database files to XML and a variety of formats including Excel, CSV, HTML, TXT, RTF and fully searchable PDFs.
Why xml?
XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML is a flexible, open and powerful way to help you exchange information among diverse platforms and applications, geographic boundaries and businesses. XML is widely touted as a key component in the solution to the problem of information exchange between applications and within BtoB environments. XML is simple, extensible and, best of all, nonproprietary.
In order for your applications to work with XML content, you need an XML parser. An XML parser is a set of APIs that assist in the creation, navigation (retrieval) or modification of XML document content. CoolSpools removes the need of a parser to create XML from your data from spool files and database files.
CoolSpools Spool Converter and Database
The CoolSpools Spool Converter and Database products have been installed across the globe, providing our customers with a simple and reliable system to convert data from their iSeries spool files and database files. CoolSpools runs only on IBM iSeries servers, without the need of a PC.
To see what they think of our CoolSpools software solutions take a look at our testimonial section on our website, where you will find a selection of genuine comments from a range of our customers /Testimonials.htm. You can download CoolSpools for a no-obligation 30-day free trial from /cooldown.php
For further information on how you could implement the CoolSpools software to convert your iSeries files to into xml format then email sales@ariadnesoftware.co.uk or phone and speak to one of our experts directly on + 44 (0)1625 547962.
Do you wish you could convert your spooled files to PDF files?
Posted on February 16, 2015at 2:01 pm
Well, the good news is that you can! CoolSpools was developed primarily to convert all system i series and AS400 series spooled files into a variety of more manageable and usable file formats, including PDF.
Wave goodbye to the mountain of paper…
There are still many organisations worldwide where vast amounts of reports are produced and printed out on printers and then manually analysed and distributed to the appropriate staff. However, with the CoolSpools Spool Converter solution, you can automatically generate reports to PDF files and distribute them electronically or publish them in the cloud.
Bespoke PDF files that save time and money
You might currently extract separate sections of the data created on your system to send to different departments or individuals. This can be handled within CoolSpools as we have devised a system which allows you to select which lines or pages to include or exclude and which people you wish to receive each section of information. The CoolSpools Spool Converter will do it all for you on a weekly or monthly or annual basis depending on your business requirements. All you have to do it set it up and instruct it what to send and to whom and it will run all by itself (making you look even more efficient!).
Spool Conversion, Security and more besides…
However, the CoolSpools Spool Converter does more than just spool conversion. It provides easy to use flexible functionality to enhance the converted output. Apart from producing bespoke reports, the Spool Converter also enables the originator to password protect and encrypt the outputted PDF files, as well as adding restrictions to the PDF and including digital signatures to authenticate the report and show it has not been tampered with.
Nothing to lose and everything to gain…
So, in summary, the CoolSpools Spool Converter will definitely save your business time and costs whilst reducing its impact on the environment by saving paper. It will facilitate efficiency and transparency across your organisation and help your business to meet targets and analyse your operation in a more efficient manner. So what have you got to lose? Give us a call today and find out how CoolSpools can facilitate your information dissemination on + 44 (0)1625 547962 or email sales@ariadne.co.uk.
Do you need to convert complex iSeries data into manageable PDF files?
Posted on November 24, 2014at 3:26 pm
Are you regularly faced with a mass of raw data, which needs interpretation, sorting and then filtering to the appropriate audiences?
Do you wish that you could easily pull together reports using different selections of the company data so you could send out regional or departmental specific information?
CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) is an exciting and ingenious piece of software, developed by Ariadne, which does just these tasks and more besides. The days of wading through reams of paper to understand figures and data are officially over. Now your analysts can spend their time analysing the information instead of sorting it, just like you employed them to do!
Reports for external Stakeholders
When producing reports for external stakeholders such as suppliers, investors, shareholders or customers, it is important to uphold the company image and philosophy. CoolSpools allows you to create reports in a PDF format from your iSeries data source, selecting only the relevant spool files that you need to show to each specific target audience. The CoolSpools software also allows you to add graphics, logos and images to your PDF report for that final professional touch.
File security
Often reports based on operational data can be sensitive and therefore need security protection. The CoolSpools PDF file conversion software enables the user to fully secure the information held within by adding password protection, encrypting and digital signatures. Access can therefore be restricted to only authorised personnel. The digital signature option allows files to be authenticated showing the receiver that the report is genuine and has not been tampered with since it was created. For further piece of mind the CoolSpools software has received ISO accreditation – ISO 19005 PDF/A document archiving standard.
Interactive Reports
In addition to creating a secure and targeted PDF file from the iSeries data, CoolSpools also allows you to make your PDF report interactive, with fully searchable pages. This ensures that the report is even more user/reader friendly and allows the recipient to quickly home in on the information which is most important to them.
Would you like to introduce CoolSpools PDF conversion for your iSeries data?
For further information and to watch a video which explains more about the CoolSpools software, visit our website http://www.coolspools.com/ or contact us for a chat about how CoolSpools can facilitate your information dissemination on + 44 (0)1625 547962 or 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
5 benefits of converting a spooled file to PDF
Posted on May 23, 2014at 12:17 pm
Spool files can be converted into a variety of different formats meaning you can choose the right format for your purpose. Files can be converted to Excel, XML and most importantly PDF’S. There are a number of reasons why converting a spool file to PDF will benefit you and your company – here are a few:
It’s safe and secure
When a PDF file is converted you have the ability to password protect and encrypt it so that any information you wish to stay secure can only be opened by an authorised person. You can also create a digital signature in order for you to guarantee the file has not been tampered with in any way. The final security feature is that you can put restrictions on what can be changed so that no important information gets rewritten or erased.
Freedom in what you can convert
Some may think that when converting a spool file to PDF that you don’t have a choice in what pages are converted, that would be wrong. The Spool converter allows you to select lines or pages by ‘dropping’ certain parts of the document. It also allows you to send different parts of the document to different people so that everybody does not see all information that they have no need to to see.
Not just your ordinary text document
Instead of being an ordinary document with no visual content the spool converter allows you to carry over graphics and images so you have the opportunity to include company logo’s or watermarks in to maintain symmetry throughout your work, therefore additional software is no longer needed to make your document more visually appealing.
Can keep all your work together
Keeping your work together is important for the organisation of your company and that’s why Coolspools has got it covered for you. In order to make it easier for you to keep everything safe and collective you can create a report or document pack which contains a set of related documents from different spool files.
Easy to navigate
Your work needs to be easy to navigate around as many people may not want to search a whole document to find a snippet of information. Coolspools Spool converter has the ability to create a set of bookmarks from the content of your document to use for an index or set of outlines to make it easier and more efficient for people to view larger documents.
If you want to learn more about converting a Spool file to PDF, and how our software can help you, then look at the Coolspools website at http://www.coolspools.com/spool-converter/.
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/.
The Power of iSeries PDFs (And The Easy Way to Create Them)
Posted on March 05, 2014at 12:18 pm
One of the most commonly-used document formats in business is the PDF. It’s flexible, easy to distribute and easy to create.
And if you work in an IBM iSeries, System i or AS/400 environment, creating PDFs has got even easier! All thanks to CoolSpools spool file converter.
Developed by well-established global iSeries experts Ariadne Software, CoolSpools takes data straight from your spool files and converts to a wide range of file formats – including iSeries PDF.
Here’s what makes PDF such a useful file format – and how CoolSpools provides a simple, reliable way of creating them from your iSeries spool files…
PDFs can be styled and formatted easily
You have total control over the appearance of a PDF. Fonts, colors, styles, images – all can be tailored to suit your specific needs.
And CoolSpools makes it all so easy. When converting your spool files to iSeries PDFs, you can specify fonts, text colors, and insert images in JPEG or GIF format. Simple!
PDFs can be password protected
Your PDFs could contain delicate, confidential, sensitive information that you wouldn’t want to be seen by the wrong eyes. If so, password protection is essential.
And if you use CoolSpools spool file converter to produce your iSeries PDFs, they can be encrypted and password protected for your peace of mind.
PDFs can be locked and watermarked
To ensure the security and integrity of the information conveyed in your documents, you can make them read-only, and add a digital signature to ensure their authenticity.
And yep – you guessed it – CoolSpools software makes this simple! Your converted iSeries PDF can be locked to prevent recipients from editing, and a digital signature can be used to ensure your recipient knows it hasn’t been tampered with.
PDFs can be bookmarked or split into multiple files
If the information from your iSeries spool files results in PDFs that are many, many pages long, there are two simple ways to make your PDFs easier to navigate: bookmarking and indexing, or splitting the main document into several smaller ones.
CoolSpools software gives you both of these options for your iSeries PDFs. It can generate bookmarks and indexes, making large documents easy to digest. Or if you just want to give each recipient the section of your iSeries PDF that’s relevant to them, you can split your document into multiple iSeries PDFs based on criteria you specify.
Distributing PDFs is easy
PDFs are easy to distribute via email. But making sure the right recipients get the right PDFs is something that takes time if done manually.
CoolSpools software can even automate this process! Your iSeries PDFs can be emailed to multiple recipients, ensuring everyone gets the information they need, right at their fingertips.
Find out more about CoolSpools spool file converter, and its powerful iSeries PDF creation and management functionality, at http://www.coolspools.com/.