We need the possibility of creating PDF-files with QRCODE (Barcode) using InfoPrintServer

IBM believes that the request described has been solved and is available with the following PTF's:

v7.3 SI79287 & SI79289

v7.4 SI79339 & SI79340

v7.5 SI79363 & SI79369

Further information about these PTF's can be found in the included cover letter.

-IBM Power Systems Development

.I have add a link to the RFE for Swiss QR code support. We implemented it with a program that generates a raster image of the bar code symbol, overlays it with with Swiss cross, then returning it as an IOCA image object for inclusion into the *AFPDS spooled file. We included a special bar code modifier value of 108 (x'6C') which will skip the Swiss cross overlay. As such, it is a method to print QR bar codes on any printer or transform that lack this support.
We have release this support as a test PTF for v7.3 and v7.4. See the linked RFE (Idea?) for details. You are free to open a case with L2 to request these test PTFs. This RFE will be marked as "Delivered" once these PTFs are approved.
Regards, IBM Power Systems Development.

.We plan to leverage the solution planned for the Swiss QR code to provide a solution to this RFE in a more timely manner. By specifying a specific modifier value on the BARCODE keyword, the Workstation Print component will call a new program that will generate an IOCA image of the QR bar code and include it in the page. Since the Infoprint Server supports IOCA images, you will be able to use this technique to print QR code bar codes with this technique.

This new program is currently under development. We plan PTF's for this support for IBM iv7.3 and IBM i 7.4

The CEAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a MEDIUM priority requirement that should be addressed.

Background: The COMMON Europe Advisory Council (CEAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CEAC has a crucial role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

To find out how CEAC help to shape the future of IBM i, see CEAC @ ibm.biz/BdYSYj and the article "The Five Hottest IBM i RFEs Of The Quarter" at ibm.biz/BdYSZT

Therese Eaton – CEAC Program Manager, IBM

This is a government requirement for our invoices in Mexico, without it we will have to go find a product that will support this.

The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a “nice to have” low priority feature. There is a workaround, but if it is not supported directly in InfoPrint server, it would be good to add it.

Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community, and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac

For more details about CAAC's role with RFEs, see http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/Blogs/i-Can/May-2017/COMMON-Americas-Advisory-Council-%28CAAC%29-and-RFEs/

Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager

Attachment (Description): RPGLE source that produces spooled file with 2 QRCODEs specified in QRCODE PRTF source.txt

Attachment (Description): PRTF DDS source that includes specification for 2 QRCODEs with usage in i5/OS 7.1

Attachment (Description): PDF with QRCODE when using Printer Output action in ACS

Attachment (Description): PDF with QRCODE when using CPYSPLF

I did some testing at i5/OS 7.1 and conclude that QR codes can be used on spooled files and rendered as PDFs. I do not know if we explicitly use InfoPrint Server (5722-IS1), but I believe it should work, since PDFs CAN be generated with it, just as they now can be with CPYSPLF or using the TOSTMF & WSCST parameters on OVRPRTF – as you probably are aware.

We have 5722-IS1*BASE & option 1, as well as 5722-TS1 *BASE and option 1 – one or both are needed to allow transforming to PDF.

Attached are the PRTF (QRCODE PRTF source.txt) and RPGLE (QRCODE RPGLE source.txt) source for different types of QR code supported on IBM i, as well as the PDF (QRCODE using ACS Printer Output action.pdf) I got from the spooled file using the Printer Output item in the Actions menu of the ACS emulator.

I also ran CPYSPLF like this –

CPYSPLF FILE(QRCODE) TOFILE(*TOSTMF) TOSTMF('QRCODE text.PDF') WSCST(*PDF)

to see the result of that method (QRCODE using CPYSPLF.PDF).

The source was last changed in October, 2017, I don't remember if we were on 7.1 at the time – we're on 7.3 now.

Better support for QRCODE in the BARCODE keyword was added in i5/OS 7.2..

.We recognize the requirement to produce QRCODE bar codes in all output environments.

IBM recognizes this as a beneficial enhancement. IBM will use this request as input to planning but no commitment is made or implied. This request will be updated in the future if IBM implements it. IBM will use votes and comments from others in the community to help prioritize this request.

The article, IBM OS/400 Support for Two-Dimensional Bar Codes - MaxiCode, PDF417 and Data Matrix (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1018277), has a footnote about QR bar code support. It says there that support for the type using QRCODE as the type name started at 7.2 of i5/OS, and that at 7.1 you used a numeric type code.

I have attached both PRTF and RPGLE source that creates a SPLF that has the other 3 2D types, as well as QR, and this was done at 7.1. I have also attached a PDF that shows the results when using CPYSPLF with the *PDF output options.

So getting a PDF file with a QR code in it can be done - I did not try it using Infoprint Server directly, but does this satisfy this request?

Vern Hamberg, member of CAAC

Attachment (Description): Joblog