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PRO WorkFlow Server |
The PRO WorkFlow Server is a queue manager that automates process execution while concurrently routing the output data files to directories, printers and web sites.
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Automate print stream conversion
PRO WorkFlow Server
Overview
Features & Benefits
Product Specifications
System Requirements
Overview
PRO WorkFlow Server is a queue manager that automates process execution while concurrently routing the output data files to directories, printers and web sites.
Data or print files are submitted to PRO WorkFlow Server, and then are known as jobs. Jobs are selected from Input Queues, automatically processing according to the instructions for that Queue and then routed to another queue or Output Destination.
Output Destinations can be printers, disk files or FTP servers.
Support is provided for multiple input print file formats, target formats, printers and environments where there are different execution parameters for different applications as well as other special integration requirements.
PRO WorkFlow Server is a cross-platform multi-threading system, which can process any number of processes concurrently. This makes it scalable from small to larger environments.
PRO WorkFlow Server is designed to work with any of the PRO suite of products. These software products can convert print files from one format to another, extract data from print files, split files into subdocument files, index print files and convert files into PDFs.
PRO WorkFlow Server can also support other tasks, scripts and programs which may manipulate or convert the input files. These are called Transform Processes or just Processes.
How It Works
Files are placed into Input Queues by copying them to a directory which is available to PRO WorkFlow Server.
When PRO WorkFlow Server finds a file in a watched directory, it is added to the Input Queue.
When a Transform Process becomes available, the specified conversion module is called.
When the transform has successfully completed, the output is routed to the appropriate printer, folder or FTP server.
If an error occurs during a transform, then the input file and the log files associated with it are placed in an error directory for further analysis.
Intuitive Graphical User Interface
PRO WorkFlow Server contains a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows a user to easily see the status of jobs in the system.
Route Legacy Applications through One System
Each Input Queue can have its own job options that will apply to all files processed from that directory.
There can be an unlimited number of watched directories, which will allow you to route all your legacy applications through one system for transformation.
Split Statements and Route to Website, Database or Archive
using PRO WorkFlow Server in combination with PRO Meta Normalization and Indexing Facility and PRO Meta to PDF, metacode from a mainframe can be split into thousands of statements and the output transformed into individual PDF files and automatically routed to a website, database or archive.
Run on Multiple Platforms
PRO WorkFlow Server runs on a multitude of platforms including Windows, AIX, Solaris and Linux. This ensures that you have a choice of platforms.
Superlative Support
Crawford Technologies believes in providing
superlative support for all our products. We offer telephone
hotline support for problem reporting and product inquiries as
well as FAX and e-mail support. Our online Knowledgebase provides
access to our incident reports and change logs 24 by 7. Our
extensive front line experience and in-depth product knowledge
allow us to respond quickly with solutions.
For organizations who need support around the clock, our Premium Support Plan provides full 24 X 7 support.
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Features & Benefits
Automate Conversion and Save Money
PRO WorkFlow Server automates the conversion of print output, while at the same time maintaining flexibility, fidelity and performance at a fraction of the cost of similar systems.
Automated Directory Watch Capability
PRO WorkFlow Server provides an automated directory watch capability that manages the conversion of documents. Input is selected from watched directories; automatically converted to other formats such as PostScript, AFP, Xerox Metacode and LCDS , PCL or PDF and routed to the appropriate directory, printer or FTP server. This saves you significant time.
Multiple Printers and Environments Supported
Support is provided for multiple printers and environments where there are different START commands for different applications. This gives you the utmost in flexibility.
Legacy Applications Routed through One System
With PRO WorkFlow Server, there can be an unlimited number of watched directories, which will allow you to route all your legacy applications through one system for transformation. This can save you money because you need not buy multiple systems for each data type.
Passthrough Queues
PRO WorkFlow Server has a Passthrough capability so that it can be used as a print server to manage all your print output.
Output Routed to Either Directory, Printer or FTP Server
When PRO WorkFlow Server finds a file for transformation and routing in a watched directory, the specified conversion module is called and the output is routed to the appropriate file, printer or FTP server. This gives you the utmost in flexibility.
Statements Split and Automatically Route to Website, Database or Archive
Using PRO WorkFlow Server in combination with PRO Meta Normalization and Indexing Facility and PRO Meta to PDF, Xerox metacode from a mainframe can be easily split into thousands of statements. The output can then be transformed into individual PDF files and automatically routed to a website, database or archive. This is an easy way to split files and transform them to PDF for web presentation.
AFP Support
With the PRO AFP products installed, PRO WorkFlow Server can manage conversion and splitting of AFP files.
Seamless Integration with the Xerox DocuPrint or DocuSP Controller
PRO WorkFlow Server can reside on Unix or Windows-based printer controllers such as the Xerox DocuPrint or DocuSP Controller.
Files can be sent from a Host system to PRO WorkFlow Server running on the controller where they are automatically converted to PostScript or PCL and then automatically routed to any number of printers.
Lights Out Operation
PRO WorkFlow Server provides lights out operation with its automated directory watch capability that manages the conversion and routing of documents. This saves you time because your documents are automatically transformed and sent to the appropriate output without your intervention.
Intuitive Graphical User Interface
With PRO WorkFlow Server, an operator can easily monitor the conversionand printing task.
The user can hold and release jobs and queues and move jobs from one queue to another.
Platform Independence
PRO WorkFlow Server runs on a multitude of platforms including Windows, AIX, Solaris, Linux and HP-UX. This ensures that you have a choice of platforms.
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Product Specifications
Output Formats
PRO WorkFlow Server allows applications to be converted from and to any supported format, including Xerox metacode, PostScript, AFP, PCL, ASCII, XML or PDF for output to a printer, a folder or an FTP server.
Transform Control Options
PRO WorkFlow Server has been designed to be a very powerful tool. It has an extensive set of control options which can be used to adapt to many different environments and uses.
Retain Queues
Queues can be configured with a retention directory.
The input files will then be placed in the retain directory in case they are needed later.
Retain File Management
Retain Queues can have a retention period and size set so that the files are kept for a specified period.
The CTARCMAN Management program can be configured to automatically manage these files.
Supported Transforms
PRO WorkFlow Server is designed to work with any of the PRO suite of products.
These software products can convert print files from one format to another, extract data from print files, split files into subdocument files, index print files and convert files into PDFs.
PRO WorkFlow Server can also support other tasks, scripts and programs which may manipulate or convert the input files. These are called Transform Processes or just Processes.
PRO WorkFlow Server supports the following transforms:
PRO AFP to PDF
PRO AFP to PS
PRO AFP to Metacode
PRO Meta to AFP
PRO Meta to PCL
PRO Meta to PDF
PRO Meta to PS
PRO Meta Normalization and Indexing Facility
PRO PS to AFP
PRO PS to Metacode
PRO PCL to AFP
PRO Print File Concatenate (pfcat)
PRO Print File Reformatter (rcopy)
Any conforming process including VBScript processes
Intuitive Graphical User Interface
PRO WorkFlow Server contains a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows a user to easily see the status of jobs in the system. The user can see a list of the jobs in the Input Queue, and examine and change their attributes.
The user can see a list of files that are currently being converted and monitor their progress. As well, the user can also see a list of the files which have already been processed and look at the log files created by these transforms.
Graphical User Interface-Style Configuration file
The PRO WorkFlow Server Configurator makes it easy to configure the PRO WorkFlow Server.
Input Queue Configuration
Each Input Queue can be configured by the Work Selection List.
The Work Selection List is a text file that specifies the criteria for selecting work from a watched directory, the PRO conversion configuration options and the parameters to be used when routing the converted output files.
Run on Multiple Platforms
PRO WorkFlow Server runs on the following platforms:
Windows XP, NT, 2000, 2003, ME
AIX
Solaris
Linux
Mainframe Integration
PRO WorkFlow Server can be integrated with IBM mainframe spool queues through several options:
- PRO WorkFlow JES Spool Extraction can select output form the JES queues and send these datasets to PRO WorkFlow Server for conversion, printing and distribution.
- BARR Bus & Tag channel adapters can be used to convert the PRO WorkFlow Server system to a mainframe for print file capture.
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System Requirements
Software Prerequisites
Operating System
PRO WorkFlow Server runs on the following operating systems:
Windows
Windows XP, NT, 2000, ME, 2003
AIX
AIX, versions 4.2, 4.3 and 5.x
Unix
Solaris, versions 2.6 and up
Linux Red Hat
Linux SUSE
Hardware Prerequisites
Computer
PRO WorkFlow Server requires a computer capable of running the software described above.
Network
The host can be connected to the system using any attachment methodology that allows data to be sent from the host to the printer or to an FTP server without translation. This includes TCP/IP, and other LAN/WAN links.
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Copyright © 1999-2008 Crawford Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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