IBM United States
Software Announcement 201-122
April 23, 2001

Infoprint Server for iSeries: Create, Manage, and Deliver Your e-business Output Easier and Faster

ENUS201-122.PDF (30KB)

At a Glance

Infoprint Server for iSeries is a new licensed program designed to manage your e-business output more effectively. It supports fast, flexible electronic distribution of digital output through the use of data stream transforms, new output delivery methods, and a data indexing and bundling utility. With Infoprint Server you can:

Produce Portable Document Format (PDF) output from iSeries applications to enable them for Web presentation, e-mail, or PDF printing
Automatically e-mail iSeries output files, including segmentation of files, to a distribution list
Print the output from LAN and Web-based applications on Intelligent Printer Data Stream™ (IPDS™) printers
Index and segment application output files, and bundle AFP resources with the data so that it can be used with Web browsers and archival systems
Extend new application-independent formatting of output (iSeries page definitions) for viewing, server-to-server transfer, and printing

For ordering, contact:

Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: AE001).

Overview

The evolution of IBM iSeries to support network-driven technologies and e-business applications dramatically increased the need for electronic output formats. Traditional printed forms, reports, and documents are being replaced with electronic presentation via fax, archival, e-mail, and Web servers. Infoprint^® Server for iSeries is at the heart of this transformation, providing new, integrated capabilities to help you:

Improve access to application output to speed up business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions
Reduce cycle time by making information available faster
Reduce costs by replacing costly printed output with electronic formats

Infoprint Server is an electronic output management system that enables you to:

Convert standard iSeries print files into Portable Document Format (PDF)
Automatically send application output to customers and suppliers as e-mail via the conversion to PDF
Transform PCL, PostScript Level 3, and PDF print files into Advanced Function Presentation (AFP™) for printing on fast, reliable AFP printers
Convert standard internet image formats — graphical image format (GIF), Tag Image File Format (TIFF), and Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) format — into iSeries (AFPDS) image format for use in iSeries applications
Segment an iSeries output file into logical groups and create individual PDF files for each group
Index AFPDS print files for fast, easy access with OnDemand, ContentConnect™ or other Web browsers and archival systems

Key Prerequisites

Infoprint Server for iSeries runs on any AS/400^® or IBM iSeries Model 600 or higher. It requires the PASE environment. The image transforms (TIFF, GIF, and JPEG to AFP) require a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows NT™ with Service Pack 4.

Planned Availability Date

May 25, 2001

Description

What is Infoprint Server for iSeries?

Infoprint Server for iSeries is a new licensed program product designed to support:

Printing and print management in a networked environment
New network printing and presentation formats
Transforms required for electronic distribution and presentation of digital information
Interactive e-business applications

Infoprint Server Transforms

Data stream transforms in Infoprint Server let you get output in the format you need, whether it is for printing, archiving, fax, e-mail, or presentation on the Web. These transforms give you the ability to:

Transform PCL5e, PostScript Level 3, or PDF 1.2 into AFP. These data stream transforms let you take output from PC-based or Web-based applications and print them on your fast, reliable AFP printers. LAN-based print users can now share a departmental AFP printer and eliminate the need for large numbers of single-user PC printers. Print consolidation can streamline your operations for overall reduced cost.
Support the output of popular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications, such as JD Edwards, Peoplesoft, SAP R3, and others. Most ERP applications running on iSeries and other servers produce their print output in common ASCII formats — PCL, PostScript, and PDF. These formats are suitable for printing short reports on PC printers. But for applications that require production printing at speeds higher than 20 — 30 pages per minute, with integrated OS/400^® print management and error recovery, AFP printers are a better solution. The PCL, PostScript, and PDF to AFPDS transforms in Infoprint Server give you production printing capability for these and other applications.
Convert SCS, IPDS, and AFPDS output into PDF. Portable Document Format has become the standard for document interchange among systems, and for presentation of documents on the Web. Now you can produce PDF directly from your iSeries applications. The PDF output is in text format (not images, as some transforms produce), so it can be used with search and navigation facilities in Web browsers and archival systems.
Convert standard internet image file formats — GIF, TIFF, and JPEG into native iSeries AFPDS format. This lets you use images from Web-based applications in your iSeries AFP applications.
Convert line data, or line data mixed with AFP controls, into AFP output. AFP is an architected, device-independent data stream that can be printed or viewed on iSeries, or interchanged with other platforms for printing, viewing, and archiving.
Encapsulate the AFP resources used with a job, such as formatting templates, electronic forms and images, with the data for portability. This capability automatically retrieves and packages the AFP resources for a print job with the print file, enabling it to be transferred to another system for printing or viewing, or stored in an archival system for retrieval. When the file is viewed with a Web browser, an archival system like Content Manager OnDemand, or with the AFP Viewer in Client Access, it will look exactly like the printed document.
The following table summarizes the Infoprint Server Transforms:

Input                                             Output
Datastream                                        Datastream
 
GIF                                               AFPDS
JPEG                                              AFPDS
PDF                                               AFPDS
PostScript                                        AFPDS
TIFF                                              AFPDS
AFPDS                                             PCL
AFPDS                                             PDF
IPDS                                              PDF
SCS                                               PDF

Note: The current cross-platform name for AFPDS is Mixed Object: Data Content Architecture-Presentation (MO:DCA-P).

Automatic e-mail Distribution of iSeries Output

The ability to automatically distribute iSeries application output via e-mail instead of printing helps you reengineer existing applications for e-business. iSeries print files can be segmented for distribution to individual recipients using DDS keywords. PDF and e-mail controls in the PSF configuration object, and information in an e-mail user exit, determine how the PDF files are converted and addressed. The resulting PDF files are then automatically sent using the SNDDST command. It is as simple as that to turn an existing print application into an e-print application.

Segmenting and Indexing Output for Navigation and Retrieval

Implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications is a key component of today's business strategies. Most customer service applications are based on information stored in an archival/retrieval system. Having instantaneous access to each customer's information is critical to the success of these applications. The new DDS commands STRPAGGRP and ENDPAGGRP let you segment a print file into groups that represent the information unique to each customer. (More information on the STRPAGGRP and ENDPAGGRP commands can be found in the DDS Reference Manual .) The new Infoprint Server command, CRTAFPDTA, lets you index line data files by whatever criteria are key to locating the document in the archive (customer name or account number, for example). Once the data is indexed and stored in the archive it is enabled for fast retrieval and navigation. (More information on the CRTAFPDTA command will be included in the Command Language Reference Manual .)

Euro Currency

This program is not impacted by euro currency.

Product Positioning

OS/400 V5R1 and the new Infoprint Server for iSeries together provide a wide range of new capabilities to address the print and electronic communication requirements of e-business and network applications.

Reference Information

For more information about IBM iSeries OS/400 V5R1 refer to Software Announcement 201-112 , dated April 23, 2001. For more information about IBM iSeries V5R1 LPs and LPOs refer to Software Announcement 201-113 , dated April 23, 2001. For more information about IBM iSeries V5R1 terms and conditions, ordering instructions, and prices refer to Software Announcement 201-114 , dated April 23, 2001.

Trademarks

: iSeries, AFP, ContentConnect, Intelligent Printer Data Stream, IPDS, and the e-business logo are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
: Infoprint, AS/400, and OS/400 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
: Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
: Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Offering Information

Product information will be available on day of announcement through Offering Information (OITOOL) at:

http://www.ibm.com/wwoi

Publications

No hardcopy publications are shipped with this program. All publications are available in softcopy with the program.

The following publications will be available on the IBM Web site at:

http://www.ibm.com

by May 25, 2001.

                                                  Order
Title                                             Number
 
Infoprint(R) Server for iSeries                   G544-5774
 Introduction and Planning Guide
 
Infoprint Server for iSeries                      G544-5775
 User's Guide

Technical Information

Specified Operating Environment

Hardware Requirements

An AS/400^® or iSeries Server with the PASE environment (Model 600 or later) is required. The TIFF, GIF, and JPEG to AFPDS transforms require a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows NT™ with Service Pack 4.

Software Requirements

Infoprint Server runs on OS/400^® V5R1, or later releases.

Performance Considerations: The rate at which print files can be transferred varies significantly depending upon the objects being transformed and the transform parameters. It is not usually possible to predict the rate at which a file will be transformed by simply looking at the documents to be transformed. The rate of transform can be expected to be less than high-speed printing rates for most files, especially at high resolution. Transform rate for simple-to-transform objects, such as text, may reach high-speed printing rates when transforming at low resolution.

Transforms are very process-intensive, and will use as much processor power as is available to them. Transforming rates will be proportional to the amount of processing power made available. Transforming at high-speed production volumes may be more appropriate on small, dedicated AIX^® servers from a cost-performance point of view.

Planning Information

Direct Customer Support: Direct customer support is provided by iSeries (AS/400) Support Line. This fee service enhances customers' productivity by providing voice and electronic access into the IBM support organization. iSeries Support Line will help answer questions pertaining to usage, and suspected software defects for eligible products.

Installation and technical support is provided by Printing Systems Division Professional Services for a fee. Services that can be provided include:

Training on the features and functions, and installation assistance
Training and installation assistance for AFP™ to include:
- OS/400 DDS and PSF commands
- New AFP architecture for formatting line data with page definitions using self-identifying record formats
Training and implementation of print data stream transforms
Training and implementation assistance re-directing OS/400 print data using PDF and e-mail

For more information call 303-924-6700, or send an e-mail to:

psmail@us.ibm.com.

Packaging: Infoprint Server for iSeries is pre-loaded on the OS/400 V5R1 keyed, stamped media. When the product is ordered, a key will be supplied in the OS/400 program package to enable use of the product. The package will also include:

IBM International Program License Agreement in multi language booklet and its License Information in multiple languages.

Security, Auditability, and Control

Infoprint Server uses the security and auditability features of the iSeries.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.

Ordering Information

Infoprint Server for iSeries is a server product which runs on OS/400.

                           Processor
                           Based
                           OTC               Medium
                           Feature   Group   Feature
Description                Number    Number  Number   Medium
 
Program Number  5722-IP1
 
Infoprint Server/400                         5809     pre-loaded
 Per group P05 install     0494      P05
 Per group P10 install     0495      P10
 Per group P20 install     0496      P20
 Per group P30 install     0497      P30
 Per group P40 install     0498      P40
 Per group P50 install     0499      P50
 Upgrade P05 to P10        0500      P10
 Upgrade P05 to P20        0501      P20
 Upgrade P05 to P30        0502      P30
 Upgrade P05 to P40        0503      P40
 Upgrade P05 to P50        0504      P50
 Upgrade P10 to P20        0505      P20
 Upgrade P10 to P30        0506      P30
 Upgrade P10 to P40        0507      P40
 Upgrade P10 to P50        0508      P50
 Upgrade P20 to P30        0509      P30
 Upgrade P20 to P40        0510      P40
 Upgrade P20 to P50        0511      P50
 Upgrade P30 to P40        0512      P40
 Upgrade P30 to P50        0513      P50
 Upgrade P40 to P50        0514      P50
 
 Expedite --                                 3446
  Customer Expense

                                                  Feature
Description                                       Number
 
Program Number:  5722-IP1
 
Special Delivery Features
 
Preload Software Product                          3434
Ship Media Only                                   3470
Ship Documentation Only                           3471
 
Language Features
 
English U/L SBCS Primary                          2924
English U/C DBCS Primary                          2938
English U/L DBCS Primary                          2984

Terms and Conditions

Licensing: IBM International Program License Agreement. Proofs of Entitlement (PoEs) are required for all authorized use.

Limited Warranty: Yes

Program Services: Available until May 31, 2003.

Money-Back Guarantee: Two-month, money-back guarantee

Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: No

Volume Orders (IVO): Yes, contact your IBM representative.

Passport Advantage Applies: No

Passport Advantage Subscription Applies: No

Support Line: Yes

AIX/UNIX^® Upgrade Protection Applies: No

Entitled Upgrade for Current AIX/UNIX Upgrade Protection Licensees: No

AS/400 Software Subscription Applies: Yes

Variable Charges Apply: Yes

Educational Allowance Available: Yes, 15% education allowance applies to qualified education institution customers.

Prices

Contact your IBM representative for charges information for this announcement.

Order Now

 Use Priority/Reference Code: AE001
 
 Phone:     800-IBM-CALL
 Fax:       800-2IBM-FAX
 Internet:  ibm_direct@us.ibm.com
 Mail:      IBM Atlanta Sales Center
            Dept. AE001
            P.O. Box 2690
            Atlanta, GA  30301-2690

You can also contact your local IBM Business Partner or IBM representative. To identify them, call 800-IBM-4YOU.

Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.