BIOS: Technology Means Business

IBM has unveiled two new software products that can provide a wider range of print options for mainframe clients. They incorporate virtualisation technologies to automatically, and securely transform and transmit print-ready jobs from a server running the z/OS operating system.

These technologies are designed to deliver a new level of automation that is 'critical' to clients who want more flexibility in where they want to print to help meet business recovery or outsourcing needs. The goal, of course, it to help reduce output costs, increase productivity, and improve document security.

This is the latest extension of IBM's efforts to help meet the rising demand by businesses to collaborate more efficiently. Collaborative processing means using technologies like virtualisation, open standards and service-oriented architecture to share information real-time inside a business and helping to enable companies to work seamlessly together.

'Clients are looking for automated solutions that can bring more flexibility to their print environment,' said Karen Fukuma, vice president, production solutions, IBM Printing Systems Division. 'We've worked closely with clients to develop software that can increase their print alternatives with the potential for lower costs, reduced operator intervention and greater choice of where to print.'

IBM Print Services Facility (PSF) for z/OS version 4 and IBM Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux Version 1, Release 2 include components that can convert the most widely used data formats into Advanced Function Presentation (AFP), packaging them into a portable, print-ready file for delivery to a production print site practically anywhere in the world.

New capabilities included in PSF for z/OS are designed to automatically create and transmit error-free, print-ready files, helping to save time and money for both the sending and receiving print sites. This automated process promises to reduce from days to hours the time it takes to prepare print files and associated resources for transfer between locations. Based on Linux and IBM BladeCenter servers, Infoprint Transform Manager delivers Web-based capabilities to convert print data streams into an industry-standard, reliable and secure AFP environment.

PSF version 4 runs on z/OS V1R4 or later, and z/OS.e V1R4 or later releases. The new AFP Download Plus feature of PSF automates the process of preparing print jobs on z/OS for production printing at another site. In addition to creating a print-ready file for delivery, it can provide increased security through automatic file encryption to protect against unauthorised access to the print data and resources. IBM Print Services Facility (PSF) for z/OS version 4 is scheduled to be generally available on 25 November.

IBM Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux Version 1, Release 2 works in tandem with IBM Infoprint Manager, Infoprint Server for z/OS, and an AFP architecture to boost efficiency and help lower operating costs. The enhanced IBM Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux is designed to integrate seamlessly with Infoprint Manager for Windows or AIX 5L - and now Infoprint Server for z/OS - to handle data and image intensive transforms.

Infoprint Transform Manager allows print jobs to be spread across multiple processors or blade servers, so processing power can grow as needs grow. IBM Infoprint Transform Manager for Linux Version 1, Release 2 is scheduled to be generally available on 16 December.