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Print
Solutions from Atac
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Newsletter for
Asia-Pacific Region
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First Quarter, 2004 |
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Atac
Pty Ltd
Australasian
Distributor for Barr & Emtex |
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In this
issue - |
How can we
help you? |
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Barr Release 4 Beta Features
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Emtex VIP - Output Manager of Choice
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Barr Backup vs. Disaster Recovery Hardware
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Did you know . . . ?
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Q & A
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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
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Barr Release 4 Beta Features |
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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 -
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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.
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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 -
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reduces software and
maintenance costs by eliminating the need for Print Services
Facility (PSF) on the host.
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converts line data
or mixed-mode data AFP streams into fully composed AFP data streams
using genuine IBM licensed ACIF technology.
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eliminates the need
to change JCL.
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enables sites using
the Barr Enterprise Print Server to easily gain cost effective
end-to-end support for AFP printing.
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offloads pagedef
processing from the host to the PC for CPU savings.
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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 -
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supports ASCII,
EBCDIC, Xerox (LCDS and Metacode) and AFP.
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optimizes printer
throughput and usage by enabling a group of printers to print as
one.
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produces the report
faster by printing a report on multiple printers.
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splits any print job
that supports reprint ranges and has a valid page count.
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supports duplex and
simplex datasets.
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provides a fail-safe
backup in the event any of the printers in the group goes down.
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allows easy
configuration of printer groups and split ranges.
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Emtex VIP - Output Manager of
Choice |
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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:
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production printer management.
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electronic document delivery.
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real-time transformation of AFP, Xerox, PDF, PCL and Postscript
PDL's into AFP, Xerox, Postscript, PCL, IPDS, TIFF, XML, PDF or
IJPDS.
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centralized control.
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value-added document enhancement.
Base Emtex VIP System consists of:
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VIP Executive - core system.
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VIP Browser - enabling jobs to be viewed either before, during or
after printing.
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VIP Connect PC - offering automatic submission of jobs transferred
via FTP, lpr & Disk.
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VIP Accounting - centralized accounting for billing and auditing
purposes.
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VIP Resource Database Module - enabling centralized resource
management.
Optional modules or upgrades include:
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VIP ARM (Automated Reprint Manager) - full, automated reprint to any
printer within an ADF.
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VIP Development Station - permitting applications to be tested and
proofed offline.
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VIP Connect MVS/VSE - connect to MVS or VSE in a similar manner to "MVS
Download".
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VIP Hot Standby Licence - in case of hardware failure, a full backup
system of VIP.
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VIP Indexing Reprint Module - reprint jobs via text indices (account
number, name etc.).
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VIP DRS (Disaster Recovery System) - offline/back-up/disaster
recovery printing facility.
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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 |
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Barr Backup vs. Disaster
Recovery Hardware |
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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! |
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Did you know . . . ? |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Q & A |
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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:
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NJHGJNAM (Job Name) will default to the Job's name.
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NJHGORGN (Org Node) will default to "Barr Host" if the header does not
contain data.
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NDHGRMT (Dest Device) will default to "Queue" if the header does not
contain data.
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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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