02
Sat, Nov
2 New Articles

H-P Products Enhances Forms, Saves Money, and Streamlines the Process Using TLA Forms

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

TLA Forms creates forms using data from existing IBM i spool files.

 

H-P Products, Inc., located in Louisville, Ohio, is the premier manufacturer of central vacuums and tubing-related products. The company has established itself as an internationally recognized operation enlisting the highest standards and technology for quality production of its productslike using a 4000-watt, 6-axis CNC laser to produce the most precise, high-quality tubes on the market. But when it came to generating customer quotes, statements, and invoices for their customers, the technology wasn't quite so high-tech.

 

H-P, like many companies, uses IBM i application software to generate spool files (printer files) to create their forms. The spool files are sent to tractor-fed printers loaded with preprinted form stock, which cost the company about $3,500 a year. While $3,500 may not seem an exorbitant number, employees spent time managing the inventory, making sure the right forms were ordered and available when necessary, and correcting jams in the printer. Checks were preprinted with check numbers, account numbers, and signatures, which made for a real security concern. Tractor feed–type printers were kept and maintained specifically for the purpose of printing these forms and checks, which continued to pile on the costs.

 

H-P is a long-time user of TL Ashford's Barcode400 labeling software to create and print bar code labels. When Steve Jones, Sr. Programmer, at H-P contacted TL Ashford with a question about his Barcode400 labeling software, he learned of TLA Forms. TLA Forms is a tool to create forms using data from existing IBM i spool files. The data from the spool file can be placed on the form as text, bar codes, and images, all in full color. Lines, boxes, and ellipses can be added to complete the design. TLA Forms then watches for a spool file to be produced, and when one is, the software outputs the enhanced form as a PDF document, which is archived to the IFS, emailed, or printed.

 

Jones downloaded the free, 30-day trial version of the TLA Forms software and worked with the TL Ashford technical support team to learn how to create the forms. "Once you see how it works, it's not hard at all," Steve said. "We can take the invoice number directly from our spool file and put it anywhere on the form." Within two days, seven existing forms, A/R statements, pack slips, quotes to customers, customer statements, shipping manifests, invoices, and checks using MICR fonts were converted into much better-looking versions. Some of their customers want the invoice emailed, and some prefer it to be printed and mailed. Inside the TLA Forms designer, an SQL statement was configured to access data from an IBM i file that would determine if the form was to be emailed or printed and to what addresses and printers the form will be sent. "I'm amazed at how powerful this product is," Jones added.

 

H-P added the TLAFORMDQ data queue to the output queues where the original spool files were being produced. TLA Forms reads the data queue, captures the spool file data, and generates the form with the data. No programming.

 

And how do the new forms look? "Customers have actually called to tell us our invoices look so much better," Jones said. H-P can now use standard HP (the printer company) and compatible-type printers and regular paperno more tractor-fed printers or preprinted stock!

 

Soon, picking slips are slated to be converted to make them more readable for the people filling orders in the warehouse. "For as powerful as this thing [TLA Forms] is, the price is more than fair. Plus it's hard to put a price on the support I've received," Jones concluded.

TL Ashford is the industry leader in Barcode Labeling Technology, and has been for over 31 years. With technical support unequaled in the industry, TL Ashford strives to meet our goal of 100% customer satisfaction. TL Ashford develops world class Barcode Labeling software for the IBM i (Power Systems, AS/400) to meet ever-changing market demands associated with the bar code industry. Our headquarters and entire sales and technical support staff are located in the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region just a few miles from downtown Cincinnati.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: