ACOM's New iBridge Utility Enables Direct Transfer of Spool Files from iSeries AS/400 to Text Files for Windows Environment

LONG BEACH, California, June 25, 2009 – ACOM Solutions, Inc. has just announced the release of a unique utility that automatically converts IBM iSeries/System i spool files to ASCII format for seamless transfer and integration into the Microsoft Windows environment, it was announced today by Vice President Sam Mikhail.

In payment applications, for example, iSeries generated payment spool files can be downloaded directly to ACOM's EZPayManager for printing checks and/or creation of ACH payments along with any form of remittance advice.

"This new tool makes the process of converting and transferring spool files from the iSeries to Windows environments completely transparent to the user and eliminates the need for manually transferring the files via FTP or any other manual protocol." Mikhail said. "iBridge allows the spool files to be renamed on the iSeries side and once in the Windows environment, they can be printed, saved, and applied to any purpose the user organization requires as well as integration to any Windows based program,."

Designated iBridge, the utility is installed as a library and Out Queue Monitor in an IFS Folder, setting the folder up to process spool files into text files. The IFS Folder is given an IP addresses that is used in creating a mapped drive on the Windows side. When the spool file is sent to the IFS Folder, it is given a name – versus the conventional iSeries file number – that is recognizable on the Windows side and which can be polled for downloading into the Windows environment.

"iBridge brings a valuable new tool to Accounts Payable and Payroll operations in iSeries shops by providing direct access to EZPayManager capabilities not previously available," Mikhail said. These include ACH payments and the automatic generation of PDF copies of remittance advice notification for automated transmission by email. Equally important, it provides companies committed to the iSeries platform the means to convert a high percentage of their vendors to ACH payments by using ACOM's unique web–based, self-service vendor registration process."

Many EZPayManager users have brought 60 percent or more of their vendors to electronic payments and automated email/fax/web-posted remittance advice, effecting major cost savings both to the payers and payees, he said.

"ACOM has long offered document and payment solutions for the iSeries environment, but as the Windows world continues to build in capability, flexibility and performance, companies increasingly want to blend the virtues of the ASCII environment into their overall business computing topology," Mikhail said. "iBridge can make a significant contribution to such efforts."

About ACOM Solutions, Inc.
Now in its 26th year of business, ACOM Solutions, Inc. develops modular software systems for document output, document management, secure corporate payments, and B2B EDI/XML e-commerce, marketing them directly and through a widespread domestic and overseas partner network. Corporate headquarters are in Long Beach, California and System i Software Division headquarters are in Duluth, Georgia. For more information, call 800-699-5758, email sales@acom.com, visit http://www.acom.com

For more information about partner opportunities with ACOM, visit http://www.acom.com/channels, or contact Valerie Kleinbach, Channel Program Manager, at 562-424-7899 or email partnerinfo@acom.com