PrintEx is an application to extend the printing options of IBM Mainframes. The fact that many business processes
which generate large print volumes are still based on IBM or compatible mainframe systems makes it neccessary to
extend the printing facilities in those systems to account for new technologies. XPS Software has developed a cost
effective host based server system to allow administrators comfortable but wide-ranging controls of output data
generated in various IBM mainframe based applications. You can think of PrintEx as a kind of host-based printer
driver. Within the PrintEx administration you can define an unlimited number of printers whose output will be
processed by PrintEx. Each printer can be assigned a model which governs things such as character replacement or
interpretation of certain character strings.
PrintEx processes print data either from VTAM printers or from JES/Power and processes that data according to the
assigned printer model. EBCDIC data can be translated into the desired code page and exit programs can be executed
to manipulate the print data (eg. for specific printer types). The resulting output can then be distributed to a
range of physical or virtual printers or output devices. Output to physical printers can be via TCP/IP (LPR/LPD
or direct sockets) or via SNA.
Additionally, the output can be attached to an eMail as a .pdf file. A virtual output
facility enables VTAM printer output to be diverted to JES or Power respectively allowing applications within CICS
or IMS to address the spool directly without the need for changes in application programs. Additionally, print
outputs can be 'spooled' into PrintEx's hierarchical file system.
An option to PrintEx is the ThinPrint Server Engine Host, developed in cooperation with ThinPrint GmbH, Berlin.
This system uses a patented procedure for optimized convertion, administration and transmission of print output
on IBM host machines.
Moreover PrintEx allows the further processing of AFP documents generated on a host system as pdf-files.