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Status Future consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories System Management
Created by Guest
Created on Jan 12, 2022

Include AFP Manager in New Navigator for i

The new Navigator for i does not include AFP Manager, which is most frequently used to import overlays and page segments that have been created using AFP Print Driver, now provided by Ricoh. The current AFP Manager also has functionality to import code pages, coded fonts, font character sets, form definitions, and page definitions. AFP Manager has the function to work with PSF configuration objects, as well as system and user font mapping tables.

The most common use of AFP Manager is for importing overlays and page segments. The manual process to upload and create overlays and page segments is laborious.


Use Case:

A company logo has changed. A new page segment or overlay needs to be created to change the logo. After creating the overlay or page segment with AFP print driver, the resource needs to be imported and created on the IBM i.

The manual process includes creating a physical file with specific settings. The resource file in Windows needs to be FTPed to the IBM i, then use the CRTOVL or CRTPAGSEG command. This process is prone to errors.


Idea priority Medium
  • Guest
    Reply
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    Dec 21, 2023

    We have a lot of overlays which often need to be modified and now we must use an old AS400 (V7R2M0) to import the file!

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Sep 26, 2023

    We have many uses for print overlays - preparation of IRS W-2, 1099, and 1095C forms and worksheets.

    We also use overlays for printing statements, letters, and various forms to our clients and for our clients.

    Not having all the AFP functions in the new Navigator will make creating and maintaining these objects more error prone and laborious.

    This is important to us. Please add them!

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Aug 9, 2023

    This function is very important for our business.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Mar 22, 2023

    The AFP functionality works so smoothly for importing Overlays. It gives a user an easy way to control and implement Overlays using Microsoft Publisher and AFP functionality. It is particularly valuable to small IT shops where one or two analysts are responsible for all IT functions.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Aug 11, 2022

    Customers are going to have to resurrect Heritage Navigator if this functionality is not added to New Navigator. We all don't want that...

  • Guest
    Reply
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    May 23, 2022

    As for CAAC recommendation, realize please that "other offerings" likely means spending rather large dollars for most of the affected (small to medium sized) companies. Ultimately, that means it is not likely to happen. Just a reality. Not sure where CAAC gets their recommendations but I haven't seen any discussion within COMMON about this topic, thus this is the opinion of a few on the Advisory Council. In addition, it seems that IBM should have multitudes of resources available to apply to this requirement in addition to the other requirements that CAAC views as more critical. Though CAAC did not list any of those other requirements, I can assure you that the amount of time required due to the omission of this function costs a significant sum. It is my opinion that New Navigator is relatively robust and is certainly a step in the right direction, especially as of 7.5 functionality, but missing function such as this must be seriously addressed by IBM. And this should be done very soon - meaning this year!

  • Guest
    Reply
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    May 18, 2022

    It is all fine and dandy to say that there are other offerings, but unless you want to share them with the rest of us. We need the AFP Manager in some form...

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Mar 8, 2022

    The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM not implement this request. There is more critical functionality that needs to be added to Navigator -- there are other offerings out there besides AFP Manager that could be used instead.

    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

    Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Feb 24, 2022

    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

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Feb 7, 2022

    IBM Understands this requirement and may consider it in a future delivery

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Jan 19, 2022

    Due to processing by IBM, this request was reassigned to have the following updated attributes:
    Brand - Servers and Systems Software
    Product family - Power Systems
    Product - IBM i
    Component - System Management
    Operating system - IBM i
    Source - Client

    For recording keeping, the previous attributes were:
    Brand - Servers and Systems Software
    Product family - Power Systems
    Product - IBM i
    Component - IBM i Access Family
    Operating system - IBM i
    Source - Client

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Jan 13, 2022

    This is VERY important to this IBM Customer!