n News From the Lab
n Answers to Your Questions
n SpoolFlex Training Schedule
n Recent Additions to the DRV Family of Customers

Current version 4.9.3 was released on February 25, 2011.
Enhancement List See what's new in the latest version.
Update Instructions Follow these instructions to upgrade your SpoolFlex/FormFlex software.

Are you planning to upgrade your IBM operating system? As long as your DRV FlexTools are version 4.0 or higher, then your software is compatible with IBM OS V5R1 through V5R4, V6R1, and V7R1. If your DRV FlexTools are an earlier version, then you will need to update your software here.

IBM OS Compatibility
Our customer service team reports that we are seeing a lot of system upgrades, some of which involve a whole new system (serial number), or upgrades that change model number, processor and partition. When any of these values change, you will need to contact DRV for a new security code. If you are transferring the software to another system, you will need to complete a license transfer. If you would like to run the software on a new system as well as the old for backup, you can contact us to purchase an additional license.

If you are upgrading your IBM operating system, there is no need to do anything. As long as your DRV FlexTools are version 4.0 or higher, then your software is compatible with IBM OS V4R5 through V6.1 (even V7.1). As an IBM Business partner, DRV participates in an early access program which lets us compile our software for current and future releases even before they are released to the public. If you are upgrading to V6.1 there is a command you may want to run that will compile the entire DRVSFLEX library after the upgrade:
STROBJCVN LIB(DRVSFLEX)
This conversion will take some time to run, so if possible run during off hours. If you do not run this conversion, each object will be converted on the fly and may take longer the first time you use it, but it will work.

If you are planning to upgrade your IBM operating system, and your DRV FlexTools are an earlier version than version 4.0, then you will need to update your software here.

DRV FlexTool License Transfers
If you are upgrading your system or moving to a new box and need to transfer your software license, please e-mail or call DRV Customer Support at 866-378-336 to a license transfer agreement.

As long as you have an active maintenance agreement, there is no charge to transfer your license but you must complete and fax back a signed license transfer agreement which states that you are transferring your software license to another box and will remove the software from the original box within 30 days. If you need to run the software in parallel testing on both boxes for longer period, DRV offers software rental licensing.

New Enhancement News: FormFlex & SpoolFlex

• FormFlex now supports pulling from different drawers for each copy (up to 4) when outputting multiple copies so you can use different paper stock for each copy.
• FormFlex TEXT object now supports vertical repetitions and spacing to repeat the same text down a page.
• FormFlex enhanced the DB FIELD object to enable conditioning of other objects based on the field value.
• SpoolFlex can now specify a specific User Id to which exception spooled files are assigned during a Report Distribution.
• SpoolFlex can now specify a specific User Id to which exception spooled files are assigned during a Report Distribution.
• SpoolFlex enhancement provides the capability to convert some IPDS spooled files from Manage Spooled Files. (Please note: Not all IPDS SPLFs can be converted.).

Did You Know...
Watson, the computer that competed on the quiz show Jeopardy! in February, is an IBM power system. Watson beat Brad Rutter, the biggest all-time money winner on Jeopardy!, and Ken Jennings, the record holder for the longest championship streak. Watson received the first prize of $1 million, which IBM divided between two charities. Watson received the Jeopardy! clues as electronic texts and answered with a voice that was synthesized from recordings of actor Jeff Woodman.

Did You Know…
According to AIIM, “Offices are at last using less paper. Although still growing in 27% of organizations, in 39% paper usage is finally starting to fall. However, the strongest drivers for scanning and capture are not savings on paper storage space but improved searchability and knowledge sharing, followed by productivity improvements in document-centric business processes.”

Something to Think About
With the addition of the Apple iPad to other mobile devices, such as smart phones, it’s possible to have access to critical information 24x7 from anywhere. Rather than filing your paper reports in file cabinets, if they are saved electronically via SpoolFlex and FormFlex, it’s like carrying those file cabinets with you all of the time. Wouldn’t it be great to have access to critical reports and spreadsheets from your IBM Power i systems no matter where you are?

Q: I have an existing preprinted form that is currently a four-part form. The first two pages are white, the third is yellow, and the forth is pink. I am converting this form to FormFlex, but would still like to print the copies on similar colors of paper. Is this possible?
A: Yes. You can do this by sending the different copies to different printer drawers. When editing the Form Header, select for More Options. Select the new SPLF Attributes PDF Output Attributes. Now you can designate each source drawer depending on the copy. Make sure you set collating to *NO is you want "all copies/colors of page 1" to print before moving on to the 2nd page.

Q: I am designing a new form in FormFlex. I would like to make the header area and the footer area look really nice, but for all of the detail lines, I would just like to move over all of the lines as is. Is there a simple way to do this?
A: Yes. When defining the fields in your Spooled Data Map (SDM), map the detail lines as one large block. Then when editing your form, create a Spool Data – Move object and move the detail text as a whole block. If the block is too wide or too long for your new form, you can want to change the font size and LPI.

Q: Can SpoolFlex format Excel spreadsheets with color highlighting in cells or rows based on some variables on the spooled page?
A: Yes. When you create an output definition, there are a wide variety of color options for both the text and cell background by row and by individual cell. You can access the color analysis under “More Options”.

Q: I’m creating an Excel definition for a report, and it just isn’t looking the way I want it. Can I call DRV for help?
A: You sure can. We’re happy to give out tips and tricks to help you finish your definition, but if it’s really a complex report, we may ask you to send us your spool filed so we can see how the spooled file is structured and can advise on how the definition should be set up. If it’s confidential, we can sign a non disclosure with your company, and can even scramble the data if necessary.

Would you like to see your question answered in the DRV monthly e-newsletter? Submit it here.

DRV is committed to helping you get the most out of your software investment. If you purchased the SpoolFlex one-year unlimited training subscription please join us in an upcoming training session. You can view and register for upcoming training sessions by visiting the training page on our website. You will be prompted to enter your username and password which are issued at the time of purchase. If you don't have a username and password please contact tech support. If you did not purchase training, or your subscription has expired and you would like to get your team some additional training, contact your account manager for more information.

n DJ Powers Company
n Grede
n Hazard Construction Company
n Riviera Hotel & Casino

SpoolFlex automates the delivery of reports electronically to eliminate printing and manual distribution. SpoolFlex AS400 Excel and PDF conversion gets data where users need it, without hardware, and at the speed of light.

FormFlex native System i software lets you replace pre-printed forms with electronic laser forms and checks that print on inexpensive HP-compatible laser printers using plain cut-sheet paper. It also allows you to copy them to PDF to automatically e-mail, fax, and archive to network file servers for company-wide on-demand access. No PC hardware or custom programming is required.

ReportFlex allows you to reformat reports into easy-to-read, easy-to-manage reports without any programming. Its features include combining multiple lines into single record, changing column headings, inserting lines, and inserting page breaks.

MessageFlex monitors for system and program messages and sends notifications via e-mail, text message, or instant message when these messages appear, providing you with proactive system management to avert disaster before it happens.

Call for a FREE demonstration or visit our website.

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