IBM Infoprint Server and Infoprint Transforms for z/OS

Release 8 of Infoprint Server includes the following:

• Support for remote data transformation with the use of Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux. Transform multiple data formats to AFP with a new command that permits transformation prior to printing.
• Data encryption for data sent by Infoprint Server to printers and print servers that support Internet Protocol security (IPsec). This capability, using z/OS Communications Server's IP Security function, can support data confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
• Support for job attribute specification using JCL. For jobs submitted to Infoprint Server using JCL and IP PrintWay extended mode, one or more job attributes, even those without corresponding JCL parameters, can be specified.
• IP PrintWay support for the HP™ Printer Job Language (PJL) protocol. In conjunction with IP PrintWay extended mode and the direct sockets protocol, Infoprint Server enables tracking of the number of pages that the printer reported were printed on printers that support HP PJL. This enhancement permits recording of the number of pages printed successfully for each document to enable more accurate accounting, automatic print restarts after errors from the beginning of the print job or from the last page that printed successfully, and cancellation of a print job from the printer console if the printer supports this function.
• New Infoprint Central functions for authorized users:
• Display additional status information for a TCP/IP-connected printer using a direct SNMP query to the printer device. You can determine whether the printer is online, the level of toner, and the level of paper in the printer's input trays. This information can help you determine why a printer is not printing.
• Turn a TCP/IP-connected printer online and offline and reset the printer. Printers that are unintentionally left offline can be restarted without involvement by the printer key operator.
• Trace the connection from z/OS to a TCP/IP-connected printer using "traceroute" when a ping to the printer is unsuccessful. Network connectivity problems can be pinpointed to enable faster problem resolution.
• Find out which user(s) performed a certain action on a print job, printer, or NetSpool LU. For example, the message log for a print job that was deleted from the JES spool contains a message with the user ID of the person who deleted the print job.

In addition to the new Infoprint Server functions, IBM has replaced the Infoprint Server Transforms product (5697-F51) with separate products that provide updates and enhanced function to the withdrawn product.

Infoprint Transforms to AFP includes the following conversion programs:

• HP PCL to AFP - now supports PCL6
• Adobe PostScript to AFP - supports PostScript Language Level 3
• Adobe PDF to AFP - converts PDF 1.4 documents
• SAP R3 to AFP

Infoprint Transform for AFP to PCL - produces PCL6

Infoprint Transform for AFP to PostScript - produces PostScript Language Level 3

Infoprint Transform for AFP to PDF - produces PDF 1.4

All of the above transforms from AFP to other data formats have been enhanced to more fully support Release 8 features and functions in the AFP architecture. Some of these enhancements include:

• Enhanced N-UP formatting
• Conversion of Record Format and XML page definitions
• New barcode symbologies, including 2D barcodes
• Enhanced FS45 support for full color AFP image
• Conversion of PDF and GIF image in object containers
• Enhanced support for JPEG images
• Auto-rotation of PDF images for landscape vs. portrait
• Conversion of AFP indexing and linking into PDF document links (bookmarks) and links to external sources such as an Internet address

The AFP to PDF transform can also encrypt data while transforming to prevent unauthorized use of documents. Performance enhancements for AFP to PDF can significantly reduce CPU utilization and memory use. Converted PDF output can also be linearized for faster presentation on Web pages and portals.

IBM Infoprint Coaxial Printer Support V2.1 for z/OS (5655-N62) provides support for printing to coaxial printers with Infoprint Server.

Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux (5639-P51) permits remote data transformation of the following file formats to AFP on an Intel Linux platform.

• Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) 1.5
• Adobe PostScript Language Level 3
• HP Printer Control Language (PCL) 6
• Graphics interchange format (GIF)
• Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) file information format (JFIF)
• Tagged image file format (TIFF)