Versatile AFP/ IPDS/ AFPDS and SCS output environments.
Within the commencing days of IBM networks, IBM designed the "Systems Network Architecture" called SNA , which often required not only proprietary protocol implementations for connectivity, but also specific network cards. Additionally IBM offered the PSF software package to run IPDS printers using the AFP format on all of the platforms: OS/390 (mainframe), RS/6000 (AIX), AS/400 and OS/2. This high-end technology revealed itself as durable, cost efficient and is coupled with the capacity of handling a large volume of documents.
KNOWLEDGE NOTE: WHAT IS IPDS?
"Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) is an IBM (InfoPrint Solution) application architecture host-to-printer data stream for advanced function presentation subsystems. It provides an attachment-independent interface for controlling and managing all-points-addressable (APA) printers that allows the presentation of pages containing an architecturally unlimited mixture of different data types, including text, image, graphics, bar code, and object container. It is used by a variety of InfoPrint and OEM print servers that drive all-points-addressable (APA) page printers. Generally these printers are at the medium to high end of the print speed and volume spectrum. The IPDS architecture allows for both spooled data and print job management to flow bidirectionally between the print server (or print driver) and the Printer Controller."source wikipedia: IPDS
HOW CRT CAN HELP?
Using the technologies available at CRT, there is no need to buy an IPDS printer or supplemental equipment for the printer; the solution will direclty process the IPDS stream or will spools the mainframe/mid-range AFP files to any windows or network printer. Businesses can easily link IPDS printers to TCP/IP network printers along with documents exactly where they are required.
Our offering of AFP/ IPDS solutions delivers enhanced flexibility with the processing of each single job -document -page but also it can be used for the presentment of informations that are usually secured within the mainframe, AS/400, or even AIX environments. You can opt to print to file or split the job in single indexed documents for archiving purposes, it saves the transformed AFP/IPDS output to a data archive. This allows AFP print data innitially designed for centralized mainframe printers being utilised together with a wide range of archiving systems, viewing stations or the world wide web. Apart from the benefits this technology guarantees, the Intelligent Printer Data Stream or IPDS can converge along with the printer equipment and the IPDS conversion software as an effective document presentation solution, independently from any devices or applications.
HIGHLIGHTS
Transformation of IPDS, AFP, AFPDS, and SCS to other formats.
Multiple ports listening for print requests concurrently.
Support for various output devices.
AFP/ IPDS/ AFPDS and SCS to searchable PDF's.
Print to file for archiving including -batch splitting, sorting and indexing.
Function-based administration.
Upgrade your IPDS printers using lower cost PCL or Postscript printers.
Consolidate several IPDS printers without any serverside alterations.
Your standard LAN printing may proceed as before, but additionally you can print AFP/ IPDS output over TCP/IP coming from IBM Mainframe systems, AS/400-iSeries as well as AIX systems to get printed on regular laser printers. CRT provides solutions to replace or drive SNA as well as TCP/IP-connected IPDS devices, providing businesses with a flexible option to centralized channel-attached printers.