Category: System i
It’s Time to Upgrade Your Best-Kept Secret: IBM i
Posted on November 18, 2019at 4:15 pm
IBM just released a new version of IBM i 7.4 — with some significant new capabilities.
This white paper describes the unique nature of the IBM i platform in a world of otherwise thin, kernel-based operating systems. It also discusses why organizations that are running their operations on IBM i can benefit from upgrading to IBM i 7.4, whereas businesses that currently do not have IBM i in their data centre could benefit from introducing the platform into their environment.
Peter Rutten, IDC
September 2019
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Sending emails to Office 365 from applications using IBM i 7.1?
Posted on August 27, 2019at 11:03 am
What’s the problem?
Microsoft plans to discontinue the support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) versions 1.0 & 1.1 in Office 365 and Office 365 GCC as of June 2020.
This means that starting in June 2020, any commercial clients, devices or services that connect to Office 365 using TLS 1.0 and 1.1 will not succeed.
Microsoft recommend that all client-server and browser-server combinations use TLS 1.2 (or a later version) to maintain connection to Office 365 services.
However, TLS 1.2 is only supported from IBM i 7.2:
Check if your hardware supports 7.2 here:
https://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssm1platformibmi
How can we fix it?
To fix the problem you can upgrade your IBM i release to 7.2 or above or alternatively you can implement CoolSpools software SMTP.
CoolSpools has its own SMTP engine to communicate directly with the target email system to deliver emails. This allows us to address the many shortcomings of the IBM SMTP method, namely:
- We think it’s easier to set up and manage.
- We believe the diagnostic and logging information provided is much improved.
- We can now take charge of the entire process of sending an email from beginning
to end and give you the ability to tell very easily whether a particular email has
been successfully sent or not, and if not, why not.
The CoolSpools software email module has an API available to send emails straight from your AS400 (IBM i) applications. It supports multiple attachments and can send data extracts and alert messages. Plus there are also facilities for saving and resending emails.
CoolSpools email is part of the ‘All Options’ bundle which besides email includes modules for Spool Converter, Database and Spool administration. There is a special offer on until October 31st 2019 for new ‘All Options’ licences and those looking to upgrade to ‘All Options’ licences, please visit for more information http://www.coolspools.com/pricing/
Further information about CoolSpools email can be found here http://www.coolspools.com/email/
Contact us now for a demo of CoolSpools software Email using TLS 1.2 and authenticating with Office 365.
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IBM Power Systems – Spectre and Meltdown
Posted on February 08, 2018at 11:26 am
On January 9, IBM confirmed that Spectre and Meltdown does affect IBM POWER Systems servers.
These new vulnerabilities are further reason for ensuring your System i server is running a supported OS release with the latest PTFs installed. The latest official word on this from IBM can be found at:
https://www.ibm.com/blogs/psirt/potential-impact-processors-power-family/
and details regarding the PTFs can be found on IBM’s Security Bulletin.
To ensure you are notified of future security alerts such as this you can subscribe to IBM’s Security Bulletins.
Information regarding compatible OS release levels and Coolspools versions can be found here:
http://www.coolspools.com/faq-supported-versions/
Occasionally during an OS/400 upgrade customers find their CoolSpools license keys have expired. We believe that this happens if a scratch install is done or if library QUSRSYS (where OS/400 stores its license keys) gets overwritten or restored as part of the upgrade. If this happens you just need to re-enter your original license keys by re-running the ADDLICKEY command you were sent when you first purchased the license.
If you no longer have a note of your license key(s), please contact our support team via our Help Desk portal and ask for a reminder.
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”.
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.
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
System i Excel – A need not a want
Posted on May 23, 2014at 12:36 pm
IBM system i Excel, is a cost-effective management tool kit offered by Coolspools. It gives you knowledge just when it is needed. It quickly distributes information from System i Excel into a variety of different formats including Excel, XML and PDF’s. Coolspools runs solely on the System i and it does not need a PC in order to produce Excel files.
This scenario can also be reversed as CoolSpools is able to convert Excel spreadsheets into database files so that the contents of the Excel spreadsheet can be extracted and written to a file in a standard “outfile” format therefore information can be easily processed by your applications.
If you would like a second opinion about whether Coolspools is the tool to use or our software is the right solution for your needs, then take a look at our website (http://www.coolspools.com/) or see below two testimonials that show what our customers think:
“I have used (CoolSpools) for about 3 years and … this package works extremely well. Support is outstanding, and … you get outstanding value for money.”
“We have purchased your software to archive our invoices. It has been working perfectly for over a year now with no maintenance whatsoever. I do not have to keep “fixing” it or taking a look at it, and I like that. Once I installed it, and got it to do what I want it to do, I basically forgot about it. It’s like the Energizer bunny, it keep going and going and going … Simply put, CoolSpools is really cool.”