Category: SYSTEM I EXCEL

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.

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.

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.

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

Posted on January 27, 2014at 10:31 am

System i File Conversion: Making it Easy With CoolSpools Software

IBM’s System i, AS/400 and iSeries servers are powerful, flexible and reliable. This you already know. But did you know you can make your System i environment work even harder for you? This can be done with the help of System i file conversion.

System i experts Ariadne Software have developed the CoolSpools range of products, designed to make it easier, quicker and more convenient to manage, access, convert and distribute information using System i. In addition to their spool file management and email applications, CoolSpools also offers two comprehensive System i file conversion packages: CoolSpools Spool File Converter and CoolSpools Database.

So what’s CoolSpools Spool File Converter?

The clue’s in the name! In a nutshell, CoolSpools Spool File Converter makes System i PDF file conversion so much faster. It takes your System i spool files and converts them to a wide range of useful file formats.

You could convert spool to PDF. Convert spool to Excel. Convert spool to XML. Text files, CSV, RTF, TIFF… a whole host of popular file formats can be converted.

But CoolSpools Spool File Converter does so much more than mere System i file conversion.

You can also split files. Merge files. Format files. Insert images into your PDFs. Even email the converted files to multiple recipients. And CoolSpools software makes it all so easy to do!

What about CoolSpools Database?

CoolSpools Database performs a different type of System i file conversion. Instead of converting your spool files, CoolSpools database converts System i database files to a variety of file formats, such as Excel, XML and plain text.

Why should I want to carry out System i file conversion?

Lots of reasons and lots of savings!

Taking data from your System i spool files or database files guarantees its accuracy and integrity.
It allows you to output System i files in a format that suits you, whether it’s PDFs for business reports, Excel to communicate sales figures, or XML to program System i applications.

This saves a huge amount of time and all of the printing & postage costs. Typically customers can save between £25,000 and £40,000 per year!

CoolSpools software is all about taking control of your System i data and presenting it how you need it, when you need it – all with minimal fuss.

Where can I find more about CoolSpools software and System i file conversion?

Easy! To learn more about CoolSpools’ powerful System i file conversion capabilities, plus their full suite of easy-to-use software for IBM AS/400, iSeries and System i, visit http://www.coolspools.com/spool-converter/.

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/.

Take the Pain Out Of System i Spool to Excel File Creation

Posted on October 20, 2013at 11:49 am

Don’t you wish someone would invent an easier way to automatically convert System i spool & database files into Excel documents, with the cells already formatted correctly, with the data appended to last month’s data and with the reports automatically emailed to your management team? Then here’s some great news – if you work in a System i environment, someone already has…

CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) software has been developed by experts in all things System i. One of its many useful features is System i to Excel file conversion. Here’s how it can help you…

What do you mean by “System i to Excel file conversion”?

Put simply: CoolSpools is a conversion tool that takes the data from your spool and database files and converts it into a variety of file formats. One of the functions CoolSpools can perform is System i Spool file to Excel conversion – taking the data from your spool files and converting spool to Excel.

But I’ll still have to spend hours formatting my data to make it readable.

Not at all. CoolSpools doesn’t just convert spool files and database files to Excel – it can also format the outputted Excel documents too. Colors, fonts, borders – you name it, CoolSpools software does it. It can even carry out conditional formatting.

That’s great. But I need to split out my master spool file into multiple different documents – and email them to multiple recipients. That’s such a chore.

Indeed it is. But not with CoolSpools. Tell CoolSpools where to split the document (perhaps at invoice number or customer name) and it’ll do it for you. No need to manually manipulate your Excel documents at all! It can even manage emailing your Excel documents to several recipients. Everyone gets everything they need – and nothing they don’t.

Amazing. But sometimes I have the opposite issue – I need to append new data to existing spreadsheets as new worksheets.

No problem – CoolSpools has this covered too.

Even with Excel documents that weren’t created using CoolSpools software?

Yes. And as far as we’re aware, no other System i spool file converter offers this incredibly useful functionality.

Sounds great… but is there anything else CoolSpools does other than carry out System i files to Excel conversion?

Indeed. CoolSpools can also convert spool files to PDF, XML and a whole host of other file formats. However you need to present your data, and whatever format you need, CoolSpools is sure to have a solution for you.

I’m sold! So, how do I order CoolSpools software?

Easy. Head to http://www.coolspools.com/ now to find out more about its System i Spool and Database file conversion and its many other flexible capabilities.

How to Reclaim Wasted Hours

Posted on September 19, 2013at 8:49 am

… with CoolSpools Spool File Converter

How much of your day is spent creating, formatting and distributing reports on the System i, AS/400 or iSeries? CoolSpools spool file converter can get back your valuable time…

Introducing CoolSpools spool file converter (http://www.coolspools.com/CoolSpoolsSpoolConverter.htm). Developed by industry experts Ariadne Software, CoolSpools is perhaps the most powerful System i spool file converter on the market.

Here’s how CoolSpools software can speed up your report distribution:

1. Data is taken directly from your System i spool files

Spend a large amount of time transferring data? Then stop – there’s a much better way! CoolSpools software takes your spool files and converts the output to Excel,  iSeries PDF, XML and many more popular file formats – automatically, no effort required.

2. Hassle-free formatting 

CoolSpools can automatically reformat your data for you – including color-coding and conditional formatting. You can also define which fonts are to be used – and even insert JPEGs or GIFs into your PDFs. There’s no need to slave over your keyboard ensuring your documents are correctly formatted – CoolSpools does it for you.

3. Split, join, and send your Excel files and PDFs 

Need to update documents by adding new sheets to Excel workbooks or new pages to existing PDFs e.g. quotes or invoices? Let CoolSpools do it for you! Need to remove unwanted pages? Tell CoolSpools what to remove, and it’s gone. Need to split your PDFs or Excel books into multiple documents, and send each to multiple recipients? Don’t do it manually – automate it all with CoolSpools.

4. Bookmark your System i PDFs 

Inserting bookmarks and indexing your PDFs makes reading documents much easier – but it’s always a chore. Not so with CoolSpools – it can generate indexes and outlines for you. Bookmarking your PDFs has never been easier!

5. More than just System i Spool conversion to Excel and PDFs… 

In addition to its powerful Iseries PDF and Excel creation, there’s so much more CoolSpools software can do with your spool files. CSV, HTML, text files, RTF, TIFF – CoolSpools can convert your System i spool files into all these formats, and automatically email the output to your users in a fraction of the time it would take for you to print & post or email the data manuall. It can be used in all kinds of things, including system i Excel.

So if you need to convert spool to PDF, Excel, XML or other popular file formats, by using CoolSpools spool file converter you’ll save time, be more productive and ensure everyone’s getting the info they need in a format they’ll understand.

Learn more about CoolSpools spool file converter at http://www.coolspools.com/spool-converter/.

17 Ways Spool File Converter Turbo-Boosts AS400 Systems

Posted on September 02, 2013at 8:24 am

When it comes to spool file conversion, CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) is one of the most powerful AS400 PDF solutions on the market. The Spool File Converter developed by IBM experts Ariadne Software, CoolSpools automatically manages, converts, and distributes documents created from AS400, System i or iSeries spools.

Here are 17 useful things CoolSpools software can do…

1. Convert spool to PDF

Creating PDFs just got a whole lot easier! Why manually create PDFs when CoolSpools can automate the process from your spool files?

2. Split converted AS400 PDFs into multiple files

Tell CoolSpools where to split your files –for example, when invoice numbers or customer names change – and it’ll split the output into multiple PDFs.

3. Join converted AS400 PDFs to existing documents

Want to create a report with data from multiple System i spool files? Or add pages to an existing PDF – even one that wasn’t created by CoolSpools? Not a problem.

4. Drop pages you don’t need from AS400 PDFs

Tell CoolSpools the page numbers or phrases to leave out, and it’ll remove them for you.

5. Insert images in converted PDF files

Forms, logos, watermarks, cute photos of kittens… as long as it’s a JPEG or GIF, CoolSpools can insert it into your PDF.

6. Password protect your AS400 PDFs

Keep prying eyes away from your sensitive data!

7. Bookmarks and indexes

Generate a set of bookmarks – great for navigating and indexing larger PDFs.

8. Convert spool to Excel

AS400 isn’t the only file format CoolSpools software can convert to – it can also output Excel.

9. Add converted AS400 Excel to existing documents as a new worksheet

Is CoolSpools the only AS400 spool file converter that can do this? We think so.

10. Split converted AS400 Excel output into multiple documents

Sales reports split by region? Accounts projections split by quarter? Tell CoolSpools where to split, and it splits!

11. Drop unwanted pages or lines from your AS400 Excel spreadsheet

Don’t bore readers with irrelevant information – let CoolSpools chop it out.

12. Format your AS400 Excel files

Color, fonts, shading, borders, conditional formatting – automated with CoolSpools.

13. Convert spool to XML

Spend less time programming XML into applications – let CoolSpools convert your spool output to XML for you.

14. Convert spool to even more file formats

XML, Excel and PDF not enough? You can also convert to CSV, HTML, RFT, TIFF, text and more…

15. Control filenames and output paths

You determine what the converted files are called, and where they’re saved.

16. Control who receives what

CoolSpools has powerful tools to help you email the right files to the right recipients – automatically.

17. Convert spool files without a PC

Everything’s done within your AS400, iSeries or System i environment, with no need for additional hardware.

When it comes to converting spool to XML, Excel or PDF, CoolSpools is the ultimate solution. Head to http://www.coolspools.com/ to learn even more about the power of CoolSpools software.