ACOM Debuts Document, Check, and Label Design Tool

by Dan Burger

Companies looking to reduce costs by eliminating preprinted forms always face designing those forms internally, which makes the design tool an important aspect in the decision-making process. That's why ACOM Solutions developed a new WYSIWYG, 32-bit, GUI-based form, check, and label-design tool. The new design tool is PC-resident, running on all current versions of Microsoft Windows. It exchanges document designs and modifications interactively with the iSeries and AS/400, through an innovative, bidirectional Java-based file-transfer utility.

ACOM calls the new iSeries-specific tool EZDesigner/400. It replaces a 16-bit GUI design tool that dates back to the company's original product, EZPrint/400.

The most useful feature of EZDesigner/400 is the bidirectional file transfer that allows more than the transfer of documents designed on a PC to move to the iSeries. It also allows changes to the form to be made on the iSeries, and those changes to be reflected on the PC side, which is not always the case with other design tools.

Along with the 32-bit interface, which brings modern-day performance to the application, EZDesigner/400 has made it easier to do on-screen designing that includes the configuration of elements such as logos, signatures, barcodes, and subforms. Among the capabilities inherent in the new tool is keyboard functionality that allows users to cut, copy, and paste the elements that are integral to the form-design process.

The tool also includes a split-screen mapping feature that allows spool file data to be displayed on one screen, and the in-progress document design to be displayed on the other screen. The benefit is that spool file data can be dragged and dropped into the document during the design phase (direct mapping), then that data can be uploaded and merged into the final document. An on-screen preview allows the designer to see completed documents. The forms designer at your company will also appreciate PCL printer-supported fonts and word-wrapping for text elements.

EZDesigner/400 was created to work with ACOM's popular forms software, EZeDocs/400, and payroll software, EZPayManager/400. However, it also functions as a stand-alone design tool.

Organizations have many options for delivering their data electronically or as paper-based documents and checks, says ACOM's James R. Scott, vice president and general manager of the iSeries division. The flexibility, Scott says, allows management to "configure the optimum blend of document and payment production and delivery for their specific operations. Even where management opts to remain in a pure paper environment, significant savings stem from elimination of preprinted forms, associated equipment, and the redeployment of personnel."

ACOM's software delivers documents via paper copies, fax, and e-mail. It also provides archiving capabilities to store data and to permit it to be viewed and recovered as formatted documents.

The forms software, EZeDocs/400, enables users to design electronic form and label templates by using either the GUI design tool (dragging and dropping the various elements) or positioning the elements using X/Y coordinates in a green-screen environment. The templates are uploaded to the iSeries using the Java-based file-transfer utility. The templates can also be downloaded to EZDesigner/400 in the same way when editing or modification is required. Whenever a document- or check-printing job is ordered, data is merged into a stored template and spooled out for delivery as a completed document or label.

The payroll software, EZPayManager/400, operates in a similar manner, allowing users to generate payroll, accounts payable, and other payments either as MICR laser checks on blank security check stock or as electronic payments over the banking industry's Automated Clearing House network.

EZDesigner/400 is available immediately. If packaged with EZeDocs/400 it has a base price of $1,995. If sold as a free-standing design tool, the price is $2,495. Site licenses are also available. ACOM customers who have the previous version of the design tool will receive substantial discounts as an incentive to purchase the new tool, company officials say. It is necessary to be running OS/400 V4R4 or later to use EZDesigner/400.

For more information on ACOM and its back-office, process-management products, go to www.acom.com.

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