RE: Generating PC file formats from AS/400 data

Mark,

If you'll excuse me punting my old employers - have you thought of using 
the ASNA solution where you can take data off the 400 to the PC (or NT 
Server) in their database called Acceler8DB.  You can then use one of a 
number of OCX's to convert into an Excel format.

It needs a bit of programming (can't you tell I'm not technical!!) on the 
PC, but this can be done in VB or C - you don't need to use their Visual 
RPG.
All the user has to do is hit a button and all the data download and 
transfer into Excel can be done under the covers.


Jamie Coles
Jcoles@origsoft.com


-----Original Message-----
From:   Mark Allen [SMTP:markallen@kellyskids.com]
Sent:   Wednesday, 09 August, 2000 14:14
To:     MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject:        RE: Generating PC file formats from AS/400 data

 << File: ATT00003.htm >> I am doing this already in creating the CSV file 
on the AS/400 and emailing
it to the user.  My issue is that we have a large % of
not-so-computer-literate users (and that's another completely different
issue) who have no idea of what to do with a CSV file, how to format once
they do manage to open in Excel, Lotus, etc.  Specifically what I am 
looking
for is a solution that will take an AS/400 PF and convert it on the AS/400
into a specified format Excel, Lotus, Works, etc. so it can be emailed
(again from the AS/400).

Thanks to all who have responded so far, given me some ideas, food for
thought, will let everyone (no I didn't say Y'all THIS time) know what I
finally end up doing.

Mark Allen
IS Manager
Kelly's Kids
markallen@kellyskids.com

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com
[mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On Behalf Of Jim Franz
  Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 10:08 PM
  To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
  Subject: Re: Generating PC file formats from AS/400 data


  I have a similar process, needing to output AS400 data to pc users
(customers). We standardized on .csv which is easily readable by Excel &
Access. My RPG writes a flat file in QTEMP, with column headings in first
record, followed by records of data. Make the column headings equal to the
max length of data in each field. Then CPYTOIMPF cmd will take the AS400
native file and create a .csv in a directory named by cust id. Then I 
either
FTP it to the user (you can capture the IP address they are at during their
interactive session from within a clp) or e-mail it. Most of my users 
prefer
e-mail. They only have to click on the attachment to open it (and if they
have set .csv files to be opened with Excel) the spreadsheet opens. Then
they can do their Excel things, print, save, change, etc. We let users send
data to the AS400 in the same .csv format, and CPYFRMIMPF works great. A
little tricky with NULL fields, and have to edit the heck out of every
single column (dates like 29/29/29 and dollar amounts like 128.b9). But it
runs by itself & users only need to know how to open e-mail or find the
ftp'd file.
  Jim Franz
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Brian Montgomery
    To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
    Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 4:53 PM
    Subject: Re: Generating PC file formats from AS/400 data


    Mark,

    I am having the same problem, so I have been doing some research. 
 Gumbo
software has a program called Spool-A-Matic that will transform spool files
into .TXT, PDF, and RTF files right on the AS/400.  If you are using
J.D.Edward there are utilities in the FastR report tool that will create PC
Files.  Another option is ShowCase Strategy software, this software makes 
it
easy to pull info down and configure it into any of the formats you
mentioned.




    K. Brian Montgomery
    Amarr Garage Doors
    AS400 Administrator
    bmontgomery@amarr.com

    >>> markallen@kellyskids.com 08/08/00 12:13PM >>>
    We have recently stated sending data to our sales reps in the field as
CSV
    files.  It is running completely on the AS/400, no problems with that.
    However, there are a number of our reps who have little to no PC
expertise
    and they are having major issues (which in turn is causing us more 
work)
    importing/opening the data in their "program of choice".

    What I am looking for is a way (on the AS/400) to generate the file as
an
    Excel spreadsheet (.XLS), Lotus (.123) or a MS Works worksheet and
database
    (.WKS, .WDB) so they can avoid the import function, having to resize
columns
    to fit existing data, etc.  Want them to be able to just double click 
on
the
    attachment and voila, data is there and formatted in their program of
    choice.

    Any ideas????

    Mark Allen
    IS Manager
    Kelly's Kids
    markallen@kellyskids.com

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