Tag Archives: AS400 Solutions

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:

1. We think it’s easier to set up and manage.
2. We believe the diagnostic and logging information provided is much improved.
3. 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 31^st 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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Securing your files with Password Protection

Posted on December 05, 2018at 1:13 pm

You are probably aware that CoolSpools provides a suite of commands to convert from a secure IBM i (AS400, iSeries) SpoolFile, Query or database table to a multitude of file formats, but did you know that it also provides a mechanism to secure those files with password protection?

The CoolSpools PDF conversion commands CVTSPLPDF, CVTDBFPDF and MRGPDF all include parameters to password protect the generated PDF file using Adobe Acrobat functionality, and a new CoolSpools command LCKXLS allows you to leverage native MS Excel functionality to password protect any XLS or XLSX file stored on the IFS or a network folder accessible to the secure IBM i server.

Any other file types that do not natively support password protection, such as plain text files, can also be secured by compressing them into a password protected ZIP file using the CoolSpools command ZIPDTA.

For additional security, all of these commands provide the option to specify an encrypted password, so that the password value visible within your CL program source is not the actual password value needed to open the file.

To take full advantage of these features we recommend installing All Options of CoolSpools Version 7.  Existing CoolSpools sites should apply the latest Version 7 fix pack to make use of the new Excel password protection command.

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New CoolSpools FTP command

Posted on December 05, 2018at 1:09 pm

The aim of CoolSpools is to enable IBM System i (AS400, iSeries) users to produce the right information, at the right time, and, just as importantly, in the right format.

CoolSpools for IBM System i converts spool files and database files to PDF, Excel, CSV, XML, HTML and other formats, enabling you to move away from paper-based documents and save time and money by distributing information automatically in electronic formats.

Ariadne have always periodically enhanced the existing CoolSpools functionality and added new commands, which are released using the CoolSpools PTF/Fix process. We have a recently released a new ‘FTPPUT’ command in our base module which simplifies the FTPing of files from the IBM System i.

The new FTP command can be used to transfer any file from the IBM System i and is not restricted to files created by CoolSpools. It makes FTP file transfers easier for users because it is not dependent on programming skills.

Using FTPPUT you can now include the file transfer as part of a multiple step process. For example, in one sequence you can create an Excel file by merging multiple spool files into one, apply password protection to the spreadsheet and then FTP the resulting file to another server.

To take full advantage of this new command we recommend installing All Options of CoolSpools Version 7.  Existing CoolSpools sites should apply the latest Version 7 fix pack to make use of the new FTP command.

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!”

Download Case Study

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.

A Smarter Way To Create PDFs In An AS400 Environment

Posted on November 01, 2013at 11:58 am

Creating PDFs in IBM AS400 doesn’t need to be a pain – not with a spool file converter.

CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) is perhaps the most powerful on the market – here’s how it can speed up your AS400 PDF creation… 

With CoolSpools software… you can automatically convert your spool file to PDF, or multiple PDF’s, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

Without a spool file converter… splitting Spool files to create separate PDF’s can be frustrating. You have to find the right place to split the document and save out each split PDF individually. Zzzzzzz.

With CoolSpools software… if you specify where each PDF should be split (such as a change in invoice number or client name) then CoolSpools will automatically split your spool file and convert it into separate PDFs for you. Easy.

Without a spool file converter… inserting images into report layouts is another time-consuming task, and these days you need company logos, images and photographs in your reports, it’s something you simply must do. Unless…

With CoolSpools software… save your images as JPEGs or GIFs, and tell CoolSpools where they need to go, and the software will insert the image for you. That’s a lot less fuss to make your AS400 reports look as great as they read.

Without a spool file converter… merging PDFs is yet another boring manual task (are you getting the idea?)

With CoolSpools software… when converting spool to PDF you can also merge the new AS400 PDF with an existing PDF document – even if it wasn’t created using CoolSpools.

Without a spool file converter… removing unwanted pages is a hassle. Find the page, delete the page, find the page, delete the page, find the page (repeat ad nauseum).

With CoolSpools software… removing unwanted pages is a cinch! Tell CoolSpools which pages to remove, whether by page number or by looking for a particular word or phrase, and BAM! They’re gone.

Without a spool file converter… you have to email each client their PDF individually if you want them to receive different information.

With CoolSpools software… you can email different converted spool files or parts of spool files to different recipients. Your clients, manager or whomever you’re producing documents for will receive PDFs with all of the info they need – and none of the info they don’t.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Not only does CoolSpools offer unparalleled power and flexibility when converting spool to PDF, it can also convert spool to Excel, XML and several other popular file formats. Learn more now at http://www.coolspools.com/ and start creating as400 PDFs the smarter way.

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.

AS400 Solutions: Spool File Distribution Made Easy With CoolSpools

Posted on August 28, 2013at 8:22 am

If you work within an IBM AS400 Solutions (or System i or iSeries) environment, are you really making the most of your spool files? 

By using a spool file converter, it’s possible to convert your AS400 spools to a wide variety of document formats, for a myriad of uses. You can convert spool to System i PDF, Excel, XML and several other useful file formats.

From leading global AS400 experts Ariadne Software, CoolSpools (http://www.coolspools.com/) is a flexible, powerful, easy-to-use spool file converter. Compatible with AS400, iSeries and System i, CoolSpools software makes converting your spool files a breeze – saving you time and money, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of your data.

Here’s how you can use CoolSpools software to output to the right file format you need – and the impressive features you can take advantage of as you do it.

Create and manage AS400 PDFs

CoolSpools software does more than produce simple PDFs from your spool files. It can create multiple PDFs split by criteria you state (such as invoice number). Append your converted AS400 PDF to any existing PDF (even one that wasn’t created using CoolSpools software). Drop unwanted pages from your PDF. Add password protection and lock editing. Include images such as forms, logos or watermarks. Whatever you need from your PDF, CoolSpools provides the ideal AS400 solution to all your PDF creation needs.

AS400 Excel files tailored to suit you

Need to convert spool to Excel? CoolSpools has this covered too. As with PDFs, CoolSpools can split your converted AS400 Excel files into multiple documents, and it can append the converted Excel worksheet to existing documents – a feature no other System i software currently offers. Unwanted information can be excluded from your AS400 Excel document, and there are great formatting tools, too. Styles such as colours, fonts, shading and borders can be added, and conditional formatting can also be incorporated into your converted Excel file.

Convert spool file output to AS400 XML the easy way

CoolSpools spool file converter is also a powerful AS400 solution for XML creation. The software takes your iSeries spool file and converts to XML, which can then be imported into applications as you desire – saving time on reprogramming and re-entering data.

These are just a few of the powerful IBM System i, iSeries solutions and AS400 solutions offered by CoolSpools software. To find out more about CoolSpools spool file converter – and their AS400 solutions for managing spool files, databases and email – visit http://www.coolspools.com/.

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.