Tag Archives: IBM

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.

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.

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.

Migrating to OS V6R1 or V7

Posted on May 01, 2013at 7:47 am

IBM is withdrawing support for version V5R4 of the operating system on September 30 this year, and it will be no surprise to users that V5R4 will have been available longer than any other IBM i OS release, because the upgrade to V6R1 or above involves an object conversion.

If you are migrating to V6R1 or IBM i V7 of the operating systems prior to the deadline later this year, we have included the information you will need regarding versions, conversion and licence keys below:

V6R1-Ready Version

You do not need a special version of our software to run on either OS/400 V6R1M0 or OS/400 V7R1M0 (IBM i 6.1 or 7.1). However if you are running CoolSpools version 5 or earlier then you will need to be at the latest fix/PTF level, for further information please see:

http://www.ariadnesoftware.co.uk/FAQ0023.htm

Object Conversion

Like all programs created on an earlier version of OS/400, you will, of course, need to ensure that CoolSpools programs are subjected to object conversion as part of your upgrade to V6R1M0 or V7R1M0 from a release prior to V6R1M0.

You can either use the STROBJCVN command against our product libraries or, if you are restoring objects to a new system, use the option to carry out conversion on the restore operation (RSTOBJ … FRCOBJCVN(*YES) etc.).

See the IBM Information centre for further details:

http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/iseries/v6r1m0/index.jsp?topic=/rzahc/rzahcprogramconversions.htm

Licence Keys

You should only need new license keys when the serial number and/or LPAR of your system changes as part of a hardware swap or upgrade. So, if all you’re doing is upgrading the operating system, no new license key should be needed.

However, it does happen occasionally that customers find they are told their license keys have expired after an OS/400 upgrade. We believe that 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 that happens to you, 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), just contact our support team at support@ariadnesoftware.co.uk and ask for a reminder.

Good luck with your upgrade!

IBMi25 year anniversary

Posted on April 29, 2013at 7:53 am

We would like to congratulate IBM on their 25th anniversary

It started as a simple idea: create an application system for midsized business.” First in a series of videos to celebrate the 25th anniversary of IBM i. Features insights from IBMers Frank Soltis, AS/400 Chief Architect, and Steve Will, IBM i Chief Architect, on how integration and investment protection were the foundation for the industry’s most successful midrange system.
IBMi25 first video @ http://bit.ly/142PWuN