Ordering PTFs is one of those mundane, yet critical functions every iSeries shop must perform. From cumulative PTFs ordered on a periodic basis to emergency PTFs you need to fix an urgent OS/400 problem, PTFs are requisites to keeping your iSeries up and running.

Traditionally, PTFs were ordered either by calling IBM on the phone or by using the green-screen command Send PTF Order (SNDPTFORD). Since IBM is rapidly integrating all former green-screen/command-line functionality into the iSeries Navigator utility, it was only a matter of time before they allowed you to order PTFs directly from iSeries Navigator. You can now download an iPTF plug-in for iSeries Navigator from IBM and install it into your iSeries Navigator GUI. The steps involved, while by no means rocket science, are a bit involved. If you have never installed an iSeries Navigator plug-in before, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. To take some of the sting out of the process, industry expert Shannon O'Donnell shows you step by step in this video tutorial how to install the iPTF plug-in for iSeries Navigator.

Start by opening a browser and navigating to the URL you'll need for downloading the iPTF plug-in. Then, just open the video, and follow along.

Shannon O'Donnell is Director of New Technologies at Jano Justice Systems, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to many iSeries journals and online newsletters. Shannon can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Shannon O'Donnell has held a variety of positions, most of them as a consultant, in dozens of industries. This breadth of experience gives him insight into multiple aspects of how the AS/400 is used in the real world. Shannon continues to work as a consultant. He is an IBM Certified Professional--AS/400 RPG Programmer and the author of an industry-leading certification test for RPG IV programmers available from ReviewNet.net.