PRO AFP to PCL
Overview
Features & Benefits
Product Specifications
System Requirements
Overview
PRO AFP to PCL provides a smooth migration path for AFP printer customers who want to move their applications to distributed Desktop and LAN printers without making costly application changes.
PRO AFP to PCL dynamically converts Advanced Function Presentation (MODCA-P, AFPDS and AFP Category 5) documents to PCL for printing on Desktop, LAN and high speed PCL printers. PCL documents can also be sent to a file for database storage or archival.
With its sophisticated tailoring capabilities, PRO AFP to PCL can support unique applications and configurations. Custom fonts and logos are dynamically transformed to PCL, providing superior image fidelity.
With PRO AFP to PCL, PCL documents appear the same on Desktop and LAN printers as they do on AFP printers. AFP features, including IOCA, GOCA and BCOCA, are supported.
PRO AFP to PCL allows the same printer(s) to be used for printing both AFP and PCL output. Because of that, the usefulness of those printers to your organization is extended and their value is increased.
PRO AFP to PCL runs on a multitude of platforms including AIX, z/OS, Unix, Linux and Windows.
PRO AFP to PCL is optimized for production-speed and performance with low resource usage and fast execution.
PRO AFP to PCL supports an unlimited number of printers in any network configuration. Support is provided for edge-to-edge printing (on PCL printers that support edge-to-edge printing), paper tray mapping, multiple copy printing and all AFP black and white printing functionality.
Multiple Uses
PRO AFP to PCL can be used for applications such as:
- Printing AFP (MODCA-P, AFPDS and AFP Category 5) output on Desktop or LAN printers
- Migrating output from centralized print centers into a "distribute and print" operation
- Allowing installations with PCL printers to fully support AFP print loads
- Transferring AFP centralized print applications onto network-centric printers
- Workload balancing
- Viewing
- Disaster recovery
- Reprinting spoiled or lost pages
The Best Approach
PRO AFP to PCL is the best approach, because it provides the following:
- No need to rewrite applications
- Outstanding performance combined with exceptional quality
- Object to object conversion delivering optimized print files
- Ability to use a single printer for printing both PCL and AFP files
- Streamlined, non-duplicated printing format infrastructure
- Compact PCL files optimized for Desktop and high-speed production printing
- A choice of platforms that includes MVS, Unix, AIX and Windows
- The least cost combined with the best architecture
- The ability to include options for document re-engineering, data mining and indexing
Multiple Platforms
PRO AFP to PCL runs on the following platforms:
- Windows XP, NT, ME, 2000, 2003, Vista
- AIX
- Solaris
- Linux
- HP-UX
- z/OS
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 gives you 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 that need support around the clock, our Premium Support Plan provides full 24 X 7 coverage.
PRO Options Provide Excellent Value
The following powerful options can be used with PRO AFP to PCL in the same production pass:
PRO Indexer
PRO Document Enhancer
PRO Concatenator
PRO Splitter
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Eliminate Costly Application Changes
Move your AFP applications to distributed Desktop and LAN printers without making costly changes to the native print application.
Retain Superior Image Fidelity
With PRO AFP to PCL, PCL fonts appear the same on Desktop and LAN printers as they do on AFP printers. Custom fonts and logos are dynamically transformed to PCL, providing superior image fidelity.
Speed up the Transform Process
PRO AFP to PCL provides the fastest conversion available in the market, reducing run times and streamlining operations.
Leverage Extended Features of AFP Printers
PRO AFP to PCL supports the extended features of AFP printers like collated copies, overlays and various paper sizes including 11 by 17 inches, Letter, Legal, A4 and custom. This allows clients to get the maximum value from their existing printing technology.
Expand Value of PCL-compatible Printers
Because PRO AFP to PCL allows your high-quality PCL printers to be used for printing your AFP files, the usefulness of those PCL printers to your organization is expanded and their value is increased.
With Platform Independence, Get Savings & PRO AFP to PCL Benefits Fast
PRO AFP to PCL runs on many platforms, including Unix, AIX, Solaris, z/OS and Windows. The ability to create new versions of your documents on your choice of platforms, without expensive and time consuming process changes, saves you money and allows you to reap the benefits of PRO AFP to PCL without delay.
Optimize the Conversion and Management of PCL Output and Get Savings
Simultaneously with PRO AFP to PCL conversion, the optional PRO Indexer plug-in can extract text for separate archival, create index files, XML files, or database commands, mark document breakpoints and generate file names using the contents of the original documents, such as account number, customer name or statement date. This can greatly simplify the process of managing the converted files and bring financial savings.
Reengineer Your Documents without Changing Print Applications
With the optional PRO Document Enhancer plug-in, you can reengineer your documents while they are being converted to PCL, to meet changing needs. Pages, text fields, form fields, hyperlinks, bar codes and OMR marks can be added, modified or suppressed, eliminating the need for costly changes to the native application program. You can convert 2-up applications to 1-up for printing on cut-sheet printers.
Automate for Efficient Processing
With PRO WorkFlow Server the process of selecting files for conversion, the management of the transform and handling of the output files can be fully automated. This simplifies the implementation and provides users with a consistent interface. It also can speed the course of getting PCL files to the printers and reduce the potential for errors.
Automate Mainframe Output Management with PRO JES Options
WorkFLow JES Spool Extraction Facility
Selects reports from z/OS JES2 and JES3 spools for automatic transformation and distribution.
WorkFlow JES to FTP
Selects output from z/OS JES2 and JES3 spools for transmission over FTP protocol to target FTP sites.
WorkFlow JES to TCPIP
Selects output from z/OS JES2 and JES3 spools for transmission to printers over LPR or sockets connections.
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Print Stream Support
PRO AFP to PCL is based on PRO AFP interpreter that supports all of the Advanced Function Presentation centralized printer capabilities including:
- MODCA-P
- AFPDS
- AFP Category 5
Resource Support
PRO AFP to Metacode contains support for an extensive array of AFP print resources including:
- AFP fonts
- IM1 images
- IOCA images
- Forms
- Page Segments
- Form definitions
- GOCA objects
- BCOCA standard barcodes
Flexible Resource Management
The key to the power and flexibility of PRO AFP to PCL is the way it manages print resources. As a default, PRO AFP to PCL dynamically converts AFP resources into PCL resources, as needed, thus optimizing and simplifying the implementation process.
Font Handling
PRO AFP to PCL offers superior, highly flexible font management. AFP fonts can either be automatically converted to PCL bitmap fonts or mapped to printer-resident PCL fonts.
Form Handling
AFP overlays are automatically converted to PCL macros and macro calls are embedded on pages that use them.
Image Handling
AFP Images are converted to compressed PCL images, which are embedded in the output PCL file. The user can optionally have PRO AFP to PCL store the converted PCL image in a library for future print jobs, thus increasing performance.
Transform Control Options
PRO AFP to PCL has been designed to be a powerful tool. It has an extensive set of control options, which can be used to adapt PRO AFP to PCL to many different environments and uses. Many options allow control over every facet of the transform process, making PRO AFP to PCL a fit for many different environments and needs. The PCL can be generic or it can be tailored to use features of specific printers.
PRO Indexing Option
The PRO Indexer option allows users to select and extract pertinent data from within the print-stream while a document is being processed. The generated Index files can be in a variety of formats including Comma Separated Variables (CSV), Fixed Length Records and a User Defined File Format. Any number of index keys can be extracted. After selection, fields can be manipulated as required before being written to the index file. The PRO Indexer can also be used to "scrape" all or selected fields of text and place it an index file or text file.
PRO Text option
The PRO Text option allows users to create text files from the AFP files, which contain all of the text from the original input file. In addition, this output file can identify the actual fonts used for each field. This text file can be used for display on 3270 screens without graphics capability. These files can also be used with software that cannot handle AFP formatted data.
PRO Document Enhancing option
The PRO Document Enhancer option allows the manipulation of fields to easily create modified, customized and enhanced documents without having to consume IT resources to make complex programming changes to business applications. Modifications that can be made to print applications include among others:
- Enabling and/or optimizing print output for automatic mail processing by a broad spectrum of postal automation solutions
- Adding or suppressing text fields, OMR marks, barcodes, control numbers or images to document pages
- Moving information around on pages
- Adding slip sheets or covers between documents for easy statement separation
- Repaginating multiple-up print files to 1-up
- Sequencing output pages or subdocuments based on the contents of an external file
- Sorting output pages or subdocuments based on the contents of fields within the print or control data
Audit Log
The Audit Log option allows users to log the details of the file conversion process. This can be used as a record of the contents of the AFP file. The user controls the contents of this log, which can contain fields from the print data, such as account numbers, policy numbers, invoice numbers, customer names and other useful tracking information.
Statistics Log
The Statistics Log feature allows users to log statistical information on the file conversion process. This includes a log of the parameters used, number of pages processed, conversion time, conversion speed, resources used and other information about the transform.
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PRO AFP to PCL can be installed and configured by the customer or Crawford Technologies professional services
consultants. For more information, contact us. System
requirements are as follows:
Software Prerequisites
PRO AFP to PCL runs on the following operating systems:
Windows XP, NT, ME, 2000, 2003, Vista
AIX, versions 4.2, 4.3 and 5.x
Solaris, versions 2.6 and up
Linux Red Hat
SUSE Linux
HP-UX – versions 10i, 11i
z/OS - all versions
Hardware Prerequisites
Computer
PRO AFP to PCL requires a computer capable of running the software described above.
Network
Printers can be connected to the system using any attachment methodology, which allows data to be sent from the host to the printer without translation.
