Print Solutions from Atac

Newsletter for Asia-Pacific Region

First Quarter, 2004

Atac Pty Ltd

Australasian Distributor for Barr & Emtex

In this issue - How can we help you?
  • Barr Release 4 Beta Features

  • Emtex VIP - Output Manager of Choice

  • Barr Backup vs. Disaster Recovery Hardware

  • Did you know . . . ?

  • Q & A

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk (Australia/NZ)
or call +61 3 9521-8070

 

 

 

 

Barr Release 4 Beta Features

Barr is pleased to announce many new valuable enhancements to the Barr Enterprise Print Server (BEPS).

In addition to receiving Xerox data (Line Data (DJDE) and Metacode) from many sources (mainframes, AS/400s, TCP/IP hosts, and network users) and printing to channel-attached printers, BEPS now allows you to view in WYSIWYG mode, reprint page by page and split the data.

Our AFP solution was enhanced to transform mixed-mode data to any Windows GDI printer format and allow splitting of jobs.

Also, when using the BEPS to send data from one site to another, you can be assured that the transmission will be secure and fast with the new encryption and compression features.

Check out these NEW modules currently in testing and already released as Beta versions this quarter.  Contact Atac for more information on participating in the limited release program.

BARR/TOOLS for Xerox allows you to view and reprint your Xerox Line Data (DJDE) and Metacode files.  This module -

  • drives your Xerox printers at the fastest rated speed with print stream normalization by transforming line data into Xerox Metacode and converting all relative Metacode position commands to absolute.

  • allows you to reprint a single page or page range and restart printing from anywhere in the job.

Compression and Encryption Features

The Barr Enterprise Print Server (BEPS) now supports compression and encryption to enhance and secure your data transmission between two BEPS computers.  BEPS generally uses AES (Rijndael), a fast, robust encryption algorithm, with data compression and decompression.  Compressing data before encryption eliminates redundant data and improves the robustness of the encryption.

BARR/COMPOSE AFP enables the Barr Enterprise Print Server and BARR/PRINT AFP to process line data and mixed-mode data using AFP pagedef composition.  BARR/PRINT AFP can print to any Windows printer, including PostScript, PCL, and PDF devices.  The combination of BARR/COMPOSE AFP and BARR/PRINT AFP enables sites to completely replace a mainframe PSF.  This module -

  • reduces software and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for Print Services Facility (PSF) on the host.

  • converts line data or mixed-mode data AFP streams into fully composed AFP data streams using genuine IBM licensed ACIF technology.

  • eliminates the need to change JCL.

  • enables sites using the Barr Enterprise Print Server to easily gain cost effective end-to-end support for AFP printing.

  • offloads pagedef processing from the host to the PC for CPU savings.

  • accepts line print data sets with the following types of carriage control - no carriage control, machine, ANSI/ASA EBCDIC and ANSI/ASA ASCII.

BARR/PRINT SPLITTER is a module of BEPS that sends a large print file to multiple printers.  By dividing large print jobs between multiple printers you can print big jobs more quickly, maximize your existing printers, and prevent a single printer failure from stopping the production of your print job.  BARR/PRINT SPLITTER -

  • supports ASCII, EBCDIC, Xerox (LCDS and Metacode) and AFP.

  • optimizes printer throughput and usage by enabling a group of printers to print as one.

  • produces the report faster by printing a report on multiple printers.

  • splits any print job that supports reprint ranges and has a valid page count.

  • supports duplex and simplex datasets.

  • provides a fail-safe backup in the event any of the printers in the group goes down.

  • allows easy configuration of printer groups and split ranges.

Emtex VIP - Output Manager of Choice

Emtex VIP is an open, industrial strength, output management solution that incorporates flexible print stream transformation, centralized resource management and output device independence. It frees users from proprietary print streams and vendors, allowing them to tailor a solution to meet their own output needs. 

Emtex VIP Provides:

  • production printer management.

  • electronic document delivery.

  • real-time transformation of AFP, Xerox, PDF, PCL and Postscript PDL's into AFP, Xerox, Postscript, PCL, IPDS, TIFF, XML, PDF or IJPDS.

  • centralized control.

  • value-added document enhancement.

Base Emtex VIP System consists of:

  • VIP Executive - core system.

  • VIP Browser - enabling jobs to be viewed either before, during or after printing.

  • VIP Connect PC - offering automatic submission of jobs transferred via FTP, lpr & Disk.

  • VIP Accounting - centralized accounting for billing and auditing purposes.

  • VIP Resource Database Module - enabling centralized resource management.

Optional modules or upgrades include:

  • VIP ARM (Automated Reprint Manager) - full, automated reprint to any printer within an ADF.

  • VIP Development Station - permitting applications to be tested and proofed offline.

  • VIP Connect MVS/VSE - connect to MVS or VSE in a similar manner to "MVS Download".

  • VIP Hot Standby Licence - in case of hardware failure, a full backup system of VIP.

  • VIP Indexing Reprint Module - reprint jobs via text indices (account number, name etc.).

  • VIP DRS (Disaster Recovery System) - offline/back-up/disaster recovery printing facility.

  • VIP DOM (Distributed Output Manager) - output of production documents across the Enterprise.

VIP runs on the following platforms:

Microsoft Windows 2000 & Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

Barr Backup vs. Disaster Recovery Hardware

Barr Systems allows customers to purchase either Backup or Disaster Recovery hardware at greatly reduced pricing.  What is the difference and why have Backup or D.R. systems?

Backup system

Barr’s Backup policy is for customers to have one set of Backup hardware onsite for purposes of quickly replacing faulty hardware.

One Backup adapter of each type in production can be purchased per location that has a production package.

Backup hardware is sold at greatly reduced cost as there is no software license included.

Backup hardware can only be used in production if the primary production unit is down for any reason.

However, Backup hardware can be used in an unlimited fashion for testing purposes.

There are no recurring maintenance costs.

Backup systems are usually right next to (or under/above) the production unit.  If the primary unit fails for any reason, operators can simply swap keyboard/mouse/video/printer cables and start the backup unit.  They’re back up and running immediately, leaving the primary unit’s repair to the next business hours window.

D.R. system

Products may also be purchased for Disaster Recovery.

Typically they will be placed at a site away from the production site, where all printers and services are duplicated in case of a Disaster at the production site.

D.R. systems are sold at 50% discount on the product (hardware and software).

An Annual Service Agreement (ASA) is charged at normal production system ASA price.

Occasional functionality testing is permitted to ensure functional operation.

Contact David Kirk or Peter Wright for more information on Backup or Disaster Recovery systems today!

Did you know . . . ?

  • Xerox LCDS and Metacode can be repackaged by Barr, and sent to Docuprint EPS and Docutech 2000 Series production publishers via TCP/IP.  Exact fidelity and rated/full speed is achieved for every job.  Now online jobs can be sent to your EPS printers at 100Mbps!  Barr's EPS module can perform this functionality.

  • Management of SPOOL or RETAIN files has been enhanced considerably.  You can right-click any column to shrink your file list to only files which match a chosen column attribute.  "Custom filters" allow you to restrict the current view to any date range and/or attribute mask immediately.  Now you can find that job, in a list of thousands, in mere seconds.  Available in SPOOL/NT version 3.x and later.

  • NJE now continuously tries to connect instead of timing out after four attempts.  This is now the same functionality as with RJE/NT, where the communications link is tried regularly until a connection is obtained.  This feature enhances NJE's ability to re-connect when in unattended mode, and further hardens Barr's error handling and recovery processes.

  • Barr Systems was incorporated in 1978 (over 25 years ago now) and is currently headquartered in Gainesville, Florida.  To date, Barr Systems employs more than 110 industry professionals, who serve an international customer-base that has installed more than 40,000 products!

Q & A

Q.  Which file systems should be used for the Spool and Retain directories?

A.  Barr Enterprise Print Server can use either the FAT or the NTFS File System.  Barr recommends using an NTFS file system for the Spool and Retain folders because of the 2-GB size limitation when using the FAT file system and for the extra security.

Q.  Will my Barr PCI channel adapters run in a computer with 64-bit PCI slots?

A.  New computers now ship with 64-bit PCI slots rather than 32-bit PCI slots.  All Barr PCI adapters have 32-bit PCI edge connectors.  The newer 64-bit PCI slots are generally compatible with 3.3 volt 32-bit PCI adapters.  All Barr PCI adapters, including BARR/SYNC, CHANNEL IN, CHANNEL OUT and CHANNEL INTELLIGENCE adapters Revision 2.0 or higher are 3.3 volt compatible PCI adapters and should work in 64-bit PCI slots.  To determine if your Barr adapter is a 3.3 volt PCI adapter, remove and examine the BARR PCI adapter's edge connector.  PCI adapters that are 3.3 volt compatible will have two notches in the PCI edge connector.  Older 5 volt PCI adapters will have only one notch in the edge connector and will not fit into a newer 64-bit PCI slot.

Q Which header fields are populated when files are transmitted using BARR/PRINT to EPS?

A.  Barr Print to EPS sends the following header fields to the printer:

  • NJHGJNAM (Job Name) will default to the Job's name.

  • NJHGORGN (Org Node) will default to "Barr Host" if the header does not contain data.

  • NDHGRMT (Dest Device) will default to "Queue" if the header does not contain data.

  • NJHGORGR (Org User) will default to "Barr User" if the header does not contain data.

Q. How do I send test jobs to a Xerox EPS printer using command-line LPR?

A. A common troubleshooting technique is to use command line LPR to send test jobs to a Xerox EPS printer.  The Xerox EPS printer has a predefined print server name and a predefined queue name, both of which are needed to complete this task.  According to pages 1-2 of the Xerox technical manual, Xerox Docuprint Enterprise Printing System - Using the LPR Utilities for DOS and UNIX, the predefined print server name is printsrv and the predefined default queue name is proofqueue.  For example, use the following syntax to use LPR for sending a common text file, such as bootlog.txt, to an EPS printer:

LPR -S printsrv -P proofqueue C:\BOOTLOG.TXT

The hostname and IP address for the DocuSP controller need to be defined in the HOSTS file on the DocuSp controller of the EPS printer.  Queue names and print server names are case sensitive, but file names are not.

Q. Who is/are Atac?

A. Atac is the Barr and Emtex Distributor for Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia.  With over twelve years experience in the market, we support systems running 24x7x365 from Christchurch to Tokyo and Perth to Mumbai, in most of the largest print shops in the region.

Our customers include banks, print bureaux, financial institutions and petro-chemical companies as well as printer and mainframe vendors.  Outsourcing organisations and facilities management companies make extensive use of Atac’s expertise.

Atac is privately owned, with an extensive technical background stretching back over thirty years of continuously profitable operation.

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