FormSprint is Power i (AS/400, iSeries, System i)-based forms and document mangement software. The latest version of FormSprint, version 201001, requires i5/OS V5R1 (OS/400) and is compatible with i 6.1. A version of FormSprint that runs on older OS/400 levels going all the way back to V3R2 is available but it doesn't have some of the capabilities of later FormSprint releases.
So, what can FormSprint do and how do our customers use it? In most cases FormSprint is used to replace preprinted forms, things like invoices, checks, purchase orders and so on with laser-generated forms on plain paper. FormSprint prints to HP-compatible laser printers on the network, directly attached or through a PC. More and more customers are creating PDF files of some of their form pages, the vendor copy of a purchase order, for instance, and emailing them. FormSprint does that, too.
In short, FormSprint does everything you would expect from a laser forms and document management package and we like to think it does it better than our competitors. "Better? How?", you ask. Well, greater flexibility (better able to handle formatting challenges), for one thing, and better performance (faster with less impact on the system). Most of all, we think the organization behind FormSprint sets it apart. We wrote FormSprint ourselves and introduced it to the world in 1992. We didn't acquire it, get it in a buyout along with the stuff we really wanted, or graft it from a PC product. We know the software and we've encountered just about every forms-handling situation you can think of. This knowlege and experience is available to you when you purchase FormSprint.
You probably want to know what FormSprint costs, at least ballpark. Well, it depends. Some customers want ICS to set up their forms, install FormSprint and provide user training and will invest $15,000-$20,000 for a turnkey implementation. Others really only have one form or they just want to start with one form, test the waters so to speak, and will spend $2,000. But most of our customers will spend $6,500 to $11,000 initially.
Designing new forms or modifying existing forms in FormSprint is a snap. Many applications such as laser check printing take little time and effort to set up.
Form creation and data mapping can be done on the Power i using simple data entry tables or with FormSprint's PC Designer for "drag and drop" simplicity. Any form element can be a static part of the form page or print dynamically based on spool file input. Forms can literally build "on the fly" for maximum flexibility in meeting business requirements.
FormSprint handles simple applications quickly and easily but also manages complicated applications that other forms solutions can't. With its long list of functions for conditional printing, variable form page distribution, math functions, search and replace, and many others, FormSprint can produce the desired output without application program modifications. FormSprint prints labels, including Zebra ZPLII printer support, bar codes, tax forms, checks, invoices, statements, purchase orders and any other form required.
Once forms are placed in production, processing is automatic through the FormSprint Batch Job Controller and is transparent to users of core application software. FormSprint forms are secure on the Power i where they can be included in routine backups and modified by authorized personnel from any workstation.
Document ManagementFormSprint provides the flexibility to email, fax, and archive documents. Whether the form is emailed, faxed or printed can be based on spool file data. For instance, the vendor copy of a purchase order might automatically email to the vendor if there is an email address for the vendor in the spool file but print if there isn't.
Forms or form pages can also be converted to PDF or TIFF format and placed in a shared folder or in a directory in the Integrated File System (IFS). A report could be placed in a directory under the IFS where users could access it. The user could print the complete report, only certain pages or simply refer to it without printing it at all. Along that same line, FormSprint can create Comma Separated Variable (CSV) files from spool file data concurrently with form processing. The CSV files can be used for reporting and data mining, among other things.
The built-in archive database system provides archiving for any form or form page with as many as 10 search parameters. Retrieved documents can be easily printed, displayed in Adobe Reader, emailed or faxed. The archive database system combined with distributed printing and other FormSprint features forms the basis of efficient, cost-effective document management based on the legendary reliability of the Power i.
There is a lot more information on this web site and if you have made it this far you'll probably want to explore other pages. The FormSprint newsletter archive is a good place to read more in-depth about FormSprint's capabilities. We hope FormSprint offers what you are looking for. We'll be glad to discuss your requirements with you anytime.