Connectivity SAP, Host to LAN and UNIX/Linux Worlds apart no more

Transcription

1 Connectivity SAP, Host to LAN and UNIX/Linux Worlds apart no more

2 The essentials of imaging The essentials of imaging Connectivity SAP, Host to LAN and UNIX/Linux Professional printing straight from SAP connectivity s answer to this problem has been to develop SAP R/3 device type definitions for its monochrome output devices so they can communicate with the SAP R/3 system. Each device type provides SAP R/3 with all the paper handling functions for the respective output device. Since the devices are listed in the SAP device database, users can determine where a document is printed and from which cassette (paper size and quality) and output tray (kind of output). So users enjoy access to all the sophisticated finishing functions these output devices offer, e.g. hole punching, double-sided printing, different kinds of folding, etc. The SAP customer website contains instructions on where to find SAP device types and for which products they are available. Then all you need to do to implement this SAP R/3 solution is install the respective device type definition into your SAP system a job your programmers or service technicians can easily carry out. All the respective device types can be downloaded from the website: (click through Business Solutions and ERP Printing to find the device type you need). Printing: RBarc+ Recommended solution for barcode printing Developed by Suchy MIPS, RBarc+ is a platformindependent barcode generator that combines the advantage of low cost with very high performance up to 200 pages per minute and 20 barcodes per page. RBarc+ is an add-on program for SAP R/3, programmed in ABAP/4, that as a server solution requires no additional hardware and provides all clients with barcode capability from a single installation. RBarc+ allows you to print at least 30 different bar codes (incl. 2-D and OMR) from SAP R/3 applications on any PCL printer. RBarc+ bar codes can be freely scaled, positioned and rotated in 90 steps. RBarc+ includes easy-to-use functions for optimizing barcodes so that top-quality Class A or B barcodes can be generated at high speed during the printing process. Device type information SAP script Form Data Stapling Sorting Electronic Forms Source Data Formatting Document Output text format Booklet creation Hole punching Print data generation ABAP lists ABAP program List processor (lines, pages, headers, footers) Spool list format Spool data Spool work process Digital output device Z-fold SAP graphics Barcode Data Graphics generation PostScript RBarc+ Sophisticated printing and finishing options accessible to all SAP users Supported devices listed in SAP s device database (for details please ask your sales representative) Devices supported: all b/w copier-printer Easy download of device types from website

3 Unique host-based solution: GP PrintSuite for IBM iseries or AS/400 GP PrintSuite is a unique solution for connecting output devices to an IBM iseries or AS/400 either directly via an Ethernet or TokenRing card or indirectly through a PC s parallel port (with a 5250 printer emulation program). The advantage is that users do not need any expensive software such as IBM Print Services Facility (AFP) to take advantage of the many sophisticated features of s output devices, e.g. duplex printing and direct selection of input options and output bins. Another attractive feature of the GP PrintSuite software is that traditional wide AS/400 formats can be automatically scaled down to fit A4 or Letter-format paper. Defining output devices on an iseries or AS/400 is made extremely easy through the use of so-called Wizards, which require virtually no technical skills. A user-friendly pop-up Printer Management Program also facilitates everyday operation of output devices on an iseries or AS/400. GP PrintSuite is a host printing solution that combines the benefit of correct, consistent printouts with low installation costs. You just connect your devices directly to your network with no need for any special boxes to make things work and GP PrintSuite takes care of the rest. Backed by s extensive resources and the support of GP-DATA A/S, one of the oldest IBM AS/400 business partners in the market, you can be confident of all-in connectivity and cost effectivity with GP PrintSuite. After all, by connecting output devices to a host system through GP PrintSuite, you enjoy a cost of ownership that is considerably lower than with other system or network printers. IBM iseries or AS/400 Multiple print jobs Virtual Machine Printer Manager Objects Objects Objects Tool Box Host print transformation process SCS PCL Multiple print jobs MicroPress Cluster Printing output systems setup CD Wizard Installs objects Multiple print jobs PCL RIP Sorting Fast and easy link-up Inexpensive printer-management solution that requires little technical know-how Tailored support for b/w copier-printers (for details please ask your sales representative) Configuration Wizards

4 Space-saving device-based solutions: AXIS 5570e and 670e s partnership with AXIS Communications, a group at the forefront of developing easy and affordable network appliance solutions, has produced two sophisticated print solutions for IBM mainframe, IBM iseries, AS/400, S/390 or mixed network environments (NetWare, UNIX, Windows and Apple). The AXIS 5570e copier Print Server is an Ethernet, parallel- and USB-connection solution, the AXIS 670e Print Server a TokenRing, parallel- and serial-connection solution. Both are plug-and-play boxes that come with built-in support for the numerous sophisticated printing and finishing options offered by the output devices, e.g. stapling, hole punching, folding and duplex printing. Using an intuitive browser interface, any networked user can thus enjoy the flexibility and power of a output device. The AXIS print servers are certainly cost-effective. By connecting output devices to the host system via these print servers, users benefit from a significantly lower total cost of ownership than is possible with other system or network printers. Yet cost effectiveness does not come at the expense of speed. These AXIS servers are actually among the world s fastest, e.g. 1.5 MB/sec. when printing plain TCP/IP throughput from a UNIX system. These device-based print servers are not just sophisticated, they are also very convenient. No application changes, host-based conversion software or intermediate servers are required. Bi-directional communication between the output devices and IBM host is assured and the user enjoys true end-to-end management and control along with the ability to monitor all print jobs. Plug-and-play Ethernet or TokenRing solution for host-to-lan and mixed environments High-speed, cost-effective print servers Comprehensive support (even AppleTalk, NetWare and Internet Printing Protocols) Tailored support for b/w copier/ printers (for details please ask your sales representative) IBM terminal IBM controller IBM printer Booklet creation IBM host system UNIX NetWare OS/2 Win NT Ethernet AXIS 5570e copier print controller Hole punching Sorting Win NT NetWare Token Ring Stapling AXIS 670e OS/2 UNIX Z-fold

5 No Blues about Big Blue The market Banking, finance, insurance, transport, manufacturing and retail giants around the world are dependent on applications running on IBM mainframe and midrange host systems. This is where most of the world s data resides. Although many companies have adopted PC-based applications, corporate information bases have stayed with IBM host computers. Typically, such companies have branches and departments connected to an IBM host computer for database services while PCs and LANs are used locally. But the problems of connecting output devices to IBM mainframes or iseries/as400s are well-known: incompatible printer languages and protocol conversion difficulties. The challenge has always been to convert the host data stream with its IBM-specific coding and printer control commands that expect IBM-type device and document control into protocols and data stream understood by typical network printers. Host- or device-based protocol conversion? The conversion of print data from IBM data streams and protocols to network printing standards can be done by additional software at the host or at the output device itself, e.g. by a box attached to the device. can offer you host- or device-based connectivity, and there are good arguments for choosing either solution. To help you decide what s best for your business, we have listed the pros and cons of each approach. Host-based protocol conversion Pros Printer connected to the host through the network no need for intermediate hardware or server Output device controlled directly from host spool system Device features directly selected from application Cons All conversion done at host so host slows down if there s a heavy print load Significant increase in print data handled by spool system and network Host environment needs modification can be a problem in mainframe environments Device-based protocol conversion Pros Direct connection between host and output device/box Host released from conversion tasks No modification of host environment necessary, no increase in network traffic Cons Reduced functionality possible Limited feedback to host on output device problems One box required for each output device

6 Our goal is to ensure the compatibility of Professional UNIX and Linux printing all output devices in the required environment. So you enjoy the benefits of first-class connectivity. connectivity An increasingly popular, IPP-based printing system known as Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) now runs on all major UNIX and Linux environments. Device-specific features or functions such as input trays or finishing options can be provided by adding so-called PPDs (PostScript Printer Description files) to the CUPS environment. Besides CUPS, other printing systems such as FlexPrint and other popular applications also make use of PPDs for printing configuration. has thoroughly tested its PPD files to ensure they work with these printing systems and now has PPDs for PostScript versions of all its monochrome printer controllers for use in UNIX and Linux environments. As a result, the rich set of features provided by these output devices is now easily available to users. Features can be selected through CUPS or whichever other PPD-based printing system is installed and output configured to suit the respective device s capabilities. This user-friendly solution is enhanced by an extended version of s web-based network management utility, PageScope, which is now available to facilitate the IT manager s administration of all MIB-compatible network printers in these environments. PageScope visualizes all the features and functions of the networked devices, e.g. paper trays, mailbins, finishing, etc., as well as their status and settings to make administration of these devices quick and easy. Professional applications UNIX/Linux server Booklet creation Office software GUI, eg. ESP PrintPro Financial software CUPS PPD Hole punching ERP software ecommerce software Application print data PPD FlexPrint LPR/LPD GUI Print job Z-fold Other professional applications Driver PPD LPR/LPD Linux SunSolaris SGI-IRIX IBM-AIX HP-UX Business Solutions Europe GmbH Europaallee Langenhagen. Germany Tel.: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) Output devices and finishing functions listed in user s windows Easy-to-change user settings Web-based network management utility: PageScope Devices supported: all post script devices