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IBM United States
Software Announcement 202-133 June 4, 2002 IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries V5.2 Transforms Your Output into an e-business Advantage
At a GlanceInfoprint Server for iSeries V5R2:
For ordering, contact: Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: AE001). OverviewIn the old days — before e-business — it was sufficient to print documents and distribute the hardcopy. This is no longer enough. Today, it is necessary to distribute documents immediately in electronic format in the desired datastream to the desired destination. This is "e-output". Infoprint® Server for iSeries V5R2 has an enhanced "e-output" facility that includes customized e-mail and allows users to include multiple attachments in an e-mail and specify carbon copies, blind carbon copies, or "reply to" in the e-mail. This e-mail function can be used with virtually any iSeries mail server.
Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 provides an output management system
that enables conversion of any standard iSeries print file — Advanced
Function Presentation™ (AFP™), Intelligent Printer Data Stream™
(IPDS™), SNA Character Set (SCS), and even OfficeVision/400™ (OV/400)
— into PDF. This PDF support has been enhanced for better performance.
If you use basic fonts, you now have the option of choosing standard
outline fonts, which yields a smaller, more-efficient PDF file. Also,
you can now place index tags at group boundaries, resulting in enhanced
navigation through the PDF file. Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2
is a separately orderable program for OS/400® V5R2. Infoprint Server
focuses on the network, extending the considerable capabilities of the
IBM Key PrerequisitesInfoprint Server for iSeries runs on any iSeries system that supports OS/400 V5R2. It requires the PASE environment if the ASCII to AFP transform is used. The PASE environment is required only to convert PCL, PostScript, and PDF to AFP. If you are not transforming ASCII (PCL, PostScript, and PDF) to AFP, the PASE environment is not required. The image transforms (TIFF, GIF, and JPEG to AFP) require a PC running Windows® 95 or 98, Windows 2000 or Windows NT® with Service Pack 4.
DescriptionWhat Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 Can Do for You: A separately orderable program for OS/400 V5R2, Infoprint Server focuses on the network, extending the considerable capabilities of the iSeries beyond printing to include the management and dissemination of output. As business applications are re-engineered into e-business applications, the output of those applications might need to change and flow electronically to the end-users of that output. For enterprise printing requirements, Infoprint Server for iSeries delivers improved efficiency, improved reliability, and lower overall printing costs. It does this by applying iSeries printing management and iSeries-attached printers to the task of handling all of the essential printing generated across the network. What's New in Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2: Infoprint Server V5R2 provides these enhancements:
How Infoprint Server Fits in with OS/400 Printing: Infoprint Server significantly expands the possibilities of print and electronic output in an iSeries environment, integrating new capabilities within the existing print framework. Here's how: The existing output subsystem is generally print-centric. Any OS/400 application that creates print uses a printer file to provide job-level control information as the data is written to the output queue. DDS keywords can be used to define how application and static information is placed on each page. With these instructions, the application places print data (a spooled file) on an OS/400 output queue. The print data on the queue is usually either SNA Character Set (SCS) for simple line-mode output or AFP with graphics. With AFP print data, there are frequently embedded references to external print resources, such as fonts, overlays, and page segments. Once the print data resides on the OS/400 output queue, there are three drivers that can route the print data to a printer. The driver is automatically selected based on the type of target printer. Base OS/400 print management includes the driver for printing to SCS printers. Host Print Transform is the driver for ASCII printers, principally PCL printers. When a PCL printer is selected by the print writer, the print file (either SCS or AFP) is passed to Host Print Transform. Host Print Transform then transforms the print data into ASCII and sends it to the printer. When an IPDS printer is started, Print Services Facility™ (PSF) for OS/400 is automatically invoked and interactively manages the entire printing process with the printer. When PSF for OS/400 manages AFP print data, it ensures that any external resources required, such as fonts, overlays, and images, are in printer memory when needed. With OS/400 V3R2 and V3R7, two additional types of external resources appeared on the scene: page definitions and form definitions. These resources are a standard part of the AFP architecture and enable the pages to be formatted independently of the application program. Infoprint Designer for iSeries is a fully graphical output composition system that uses these resources to design new applications or re-engineer existing ones. Infoprint Server opens up this print architecture in two ways, by projecting OS/400 output to the network, and by incorporating the network into the OS/400 print functions. Infoprint Server has five functional components:
Infoprint Server Functional Elements
Benefits of Using Infoprint Server Users and applications in the typical iSeries enterprise environment can take full advantage of Infoprint Server's many benefits, including: Create Electronic Output: In order to stay competitive, companies need to cut costs and decrease cycle time by creating electronic output instead of all paper creation and distribution. The PDF subsystem component of Infoprint Server lets you create PDF output from any file that can be input to PSF for OS/400. The PDF file can be e-mailed to one or more recipients, stored for later use on the Web, stored for archival purposes, or sent to a PDF printer. The PDF subsystem can also add indexing tags to logically divide a document into sub-documents such as customer statements, or physically divide a document into separate files. A logically divided file is easily navigated with a viewer. If the document is physically divided, each file can be sent to a different e-mail address, retrieved, or printed individually, which replaces the need for a manual "burst and bind" process. Better Access to IPDS Printers: In today's network environments, workstation users are often limited to personal and LAN printers. Infoprint Server lets any user in the network send print jobs in a wide range of formats from OS/400 and LAN clients to IPDS printers attached to OS/400. Handle Print Jobs Effectively: Infoprint Server increases the types of jobs you can print through your OS/400. Because print jobs are managed by the OS/400 spool, they are secure and recoverable. OS/400 accounting information for print jobs is logged automatically. Detect and Transform Job Data Streams: Image Print Transform, a component of OS/400, automatically detects the data stream for PCL, PDF, and PostScript jobs that LAN clients submit. Transform Manager then uses the appropriate transform to convert the data stream for printing on an IPDS printer. Support Common Printer Languages: Infoprint Server provides support for those output languages common in both iSeries and network environments, including SCS, AFP, line data, PostScript, PCL, and PDF. Infoprint Server protects your investment in printing applications and hardware while providing the extensions critical to re-engineer printing and output business functions. Create AFP Output from Images on Windows: Infoprint Server lets you convert the most common image formats (GIF, TIFF, and JPEG) to AFP. This simplifies graphics maintenance by letting you use the same graphics in your OS/400 documents, workstation documents, and Web presentation. External Formatting Flexibility: Many applications ported to OS/400 output line data. Through the Create AFP Data command, Infoprint Server gives you more ways to use this output without modifying the application. It lets you view the line data before printing, packages the data with the resources needed for printing, and lets you print it on PCL printers. This benefit lets you use Infoprint Designer to easily specify document and report page formatting while maintaining the flexibility of viewing and printing your output almost anywhere. Easier Navigation of Large Files: As businesses increase electronic file use, it becomes necessary to be able to quickly navigate those files. For example, an application might create customer statements. Infoprint server gives you the ability to index the statement file so that customer service representatives can quickly find and view a customer's statement. It can also package the statements with their resources. This lets customer service representatives view the statement on their workstations in the same format as the customer's copy. This also makes archiving more manageable because it lets you to retrieve an individual statement when you need it. The PDF subsystem lets you use the indexing information to break a large file into smaller files, such as customer statements, then store, e-mail, or print the smaller files.
Print to PDF Printers:
When IPDS printers are not required, businesses need access to ASCII
printers. Without Infoprint Server, OS/400 supports printing iSeries
output on PCL printers. A new generation of printers, such as the IBM
Infoprint 21, IBM Infoprint 45, and IBM Infoprint 70 support printing PDF
directly. Infoprint Server lets you print to these printers. This can
increase performance over printing to PCL printers because the PDF output
is not converted to an image before printing, while PCL data is.
Accessibility by People with DisabilitiesInfoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 has the following capabilities for vision-impaired users:
Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 has the following capabilities for users with mobility impairments or limited hand use:
Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation ActInfoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 is capable as of August 16, 2002, when used in accordance with IBM's associated documentation, of satisfying the applicable requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, provided that any assistive technology used with the product properly interoperates with it. Product PositioningOS/400 V5R2 and 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. These capabilities enable iSeries customers to reengineer the flow of document and report-based communications within their enterprise. Infoprint Server delivers the output of e-business. Reference InformationFor more information about:
Trademarks
Offering InformationProduct information will be available on day of announcement through Offering Information (OITOOL) at: PublicationsNo hardcopy publications are shipped with this program. All publications are available in softcopy with the program. The following publications are available from the IBM Printing Systems Division Web page at:
Order
Title Number
Infoprint(R) Server for iSeries G544-5774
Introduction and Planning Guide
Infoprint Server for iSeries User's Guide G544-5775
Technical InformationSpecified Operating EnvironmentHardware RequirementsInfoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 runs on these iSeries systems:
Model 150
Model 170
Model 250
Model 270
Model 6xx/Sxx
Model 7xx
Model 8xx
The PASE environment requires an AS/400® or IBM Software RequirementsIn order to run Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2, you need OS/400® V5R2 or higher. A PSF for OS/400 license is not required. To print the PDF output from the PDF subsystem requires Acrobat Reader 5.0. You can download it free from the Adobe Web site: The Font Downloader feature of Infoprint Server requires a PC running Infoprint Manager for Windows® (5639-N49) with the DBCS Font Downloader feature, or an AIX® system running Infoprint Manager for AIX (5765-E42) with the DBCS Font Downloader feature. In order to use the ASCII to AFP™ transform, you need OS/400 V5R2 or higher with the PASE feature installed. The image transforms (GIF, JPEG, and TIFF to AFP) require a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows NT® with service pack 4 installed. Compatibility: Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 is upwardly compatible with Infoprint Server for iSeries V5R1. 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 InformationDirect Customer Support: Direct customer support is provided by IBM Operational Support Services — Support Line. This fee service enhances customers' productivity by providing voice and electronic access into the IBM support organization. IBM Operational Support Services — Support Line will help answer questions pertaining to usage, and suspected software defects for eligible products. Installation and technical support is provided by Global Services. For more information call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968). Installation and technical support is provided by Printing Systems Division Professional Services for a fee. Services that can be provided include:
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 V5R2 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:
Security, Auditability, and ControlInfoprint Server for iSeries V5R2 uses the security and auditability features of the OS/400 V5R2 operating system. The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities. Terms and ConditionsLicensing: IBM International Program License Agreement. Proofs of Entitlement (PoE) are required for all authorized use. Program Services: Available until September 30, 2004. Money-Back Guarantee: If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the program, return it within 30 days from the invoice date, to the party (either IBM or its reseller) from whom you acquired it, for a refund. This applies only to your first acquisition of the program. Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: No Volume Orders (IVO): Yes, contact your IBM representative. Passport Advantage Applies: No Software Maintenance Applies: No For Operating System software, the revised IBM Operational Support Services — Support Line offering will provide support for those operating systems and associated products that are not available with the newly announced Software Maintenance offering. This will ensure total support coverage for your enterprise needs, including IBM and selected non-IBM products. For complete lists of products supported under both the current and revised Support Line offering, refer to our Web site at: For additional information on the revised IBM Operational Support Services refer to Software Announcement 601-023 , dated July 10, 2001. IBM Operational Support Services — Support Line: Yes AIX/UNIX® Upgrade Protection Applies: No Entitled Upgrade for Current AIX/UNIX Upgrade Protection Licensees: No iSeries Software Subscription Applies: Yes Educational Allowance Available: Yes, 15% education allowance applies to qualified education institution customers. PricesPrices: Refer to Software Announcement 202-162 , dated June 4, 2002. Variable Charges: The applicable processor-based one-time charge will be based on the group of the designated machine on which the program is licensed for use. For movement to a machine in a higher group, an upgrade charge equal to the difference in the then current charges between the two groups will apply. For movement to a machine in a lower group, there will be no adjustment or refund of charges paid. Customer Financing: IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified commercial and government customers and Business Partners to assist them in acquiring IT solutions. Offerings, rates, terms, and availability can vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization or visit the Web at: Use the "Select a Country" Menu, to find a contact in your location (or country). Order Now
Use Priority/Reference Code: AE001
Phone: 800-IBM-CALL
Fax: 800-2IBM-FAX
Internet: ibm_direct@vnet.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.
Trademarks
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iSeries output architecture