Show 

Home > Output Distribution System (ODS)

Need more info or you couldn't find what you were looking for, let us know by sending an email to: support@dancik.com.

Output Distribution System Overview

Overview

Quick Reference - Setting up ODS Users

What you will need to Fax

What you will need to email

What you will need to post to web

What you will need for network folder address

How do I Set up ODS for sending Files to a PC

How to setup the Netserver with Client Access Express

How to setup a shared folder

What Files are related to ODS

Accessing ODS and the ODS menu

Associated Files

Related FAQs

Overview

In a nutshell, Dancik’s Output Distribution System (ODS) takes any ordinary spooled file and lets you extract it from your AS/400 and distribute it in one of the following ways:

These methods allow for easy access to information by users who do not have access to your system, such as suppliers, outside salespeople or customers. It also gives you the ability to take a report and pull it into a text document so the data can be manipulated in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel.

ODS offers several time saving features and greater flexibility in information distribution. It helps to automate your communications with your customers and suppliers. The following are some of the things ODS can do for you:

Quick Reference - Setting up ODS Users

Emailing

Set up the following:

Faxing

In addition to the email set up, add the following:

Optional

You may wish to review the following setup:

What you will need to Fax

Note:   Dancik International can configure your Fax support. Please contact Technical Services for a quote.

What you need to e-mail

   SMTP

   DSL

   Frame Relay

   T1

Note:   Dancik International offers consulting services for Internet support.

What you will need to post to Web

  HTTP

Note:  Dancik International offers consulting services for Internet support.

What you will need for network folder access

How do I Set-up ODS for Sending Files to a PC

In order to use most ODS functions for distributing files outside of the AS/400, the user running the job must have an entry in the AS/400 Distribution Directory. To access this screen, type WRKDIRE at the command line.

Note:  You must be signed on with a user profile that has *SECADM authority in order to access all directory entries.

WorkwDir1.gif

To add an entry to the Distribution Directory, use option “1” to add and specify the user ID and system name then press Enter. Create the entry as shown below.

ChangeDirEntry.gif

How to setup the Netserver with Client Access Express

Netserver is an AS/400 program that functions as a virtual file server. It allows you to manage your ODS files relatively easily. This is not a licensed program and is included with the purchase of your AS/400 system.

1.  Start Operations Navigator

2. Click on the plus “+” sign beside your system name

3. Select Network

4. Select Servers

5. Double Click TCP/IP. The contents of the TCP/IP file are displayed in the left side of the screen.

6. Right click AS/400 Netserver and Select Properties from the dialog box that appears.

7. On the next dialog box that appears, click Next Start. The AS/400 NetServer General Next Start dialog box appears.

8. Make the following entries as shown above.

9. Click OK twice to close the two open dialog boxes.

10. Right click AS/400 Netserver, and in the selection box that appears select Reset and Start.

11. The status should now say Started.

How to setup a shared folder

1.  Start Operations Navigator.

2. Click on the “+” sign beside your system name.

3. Select Network.

4. Select Servers.

5. Double click TCP/IP.

6. Double click AS/400 Netserver

7. Click New.

8. Click File.

9. Enter a Share Name and Description.

10. Access should be Read/Write.

11. Maximum number of user should be “No Maximum”.

12. Beside Path name click the Browse button.

13. Select the folder you'd like to map and click OK.

What Files are related to ODS

Phone Number File

This file, when configured, automatically provides communication information (phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail address, etc.) into the sections of ODS where they are needed. Any accounts associated with invoices to be mailed or faxed must be properly set-up here.

1.  Follow this path to get to the Phone Number File.

Note: The Phone Number file uses the same password as the Billto File.

2. Enter 802 in the selection line and press Enter to access the entry screen of the Phone Number File.

3. Enter either a customer account or supplier number.

Note:  If you are unsure of the customer or supplier number enter a “?” and press Enter. A selection box appears that lists all the available numbers.

4. Enter an action code and press Enter. A Phone Number Maintenance screen for the customer appears.

PhoneNumFilecUST.gif

To grant auto-fax and auto-mail for price lists (PL), acknowledgements (AK), and invoices (IN) to an ODS user, enter a Y in the appropriate field.

The primary difference between the Customer and Supplier screens is that in the Customer version you can AutoFax (AF) or Email (EM) picklist, acknowledgements, and invoices, whereas on the supplier version you can send either a purchase order or acknowledgement by Autofax or Email.

Field Name

Description/Instructions

Opt

The only option is D to delete a phone number.

Account/Supplier Number

Enter a valid account/supplier number.

Number Type

There are three communication types:

T - telephone number

F - fax number

I - Internet/email address

Area Code

Specify area codes except for communication type T.

Phone#/Email

This is an alphanumeric field which accommodates different types of numbers. Do not insert spaces or punctuation in telephone or fax numbers. When entering email names, enter only prior to the URL. For example, joe@abc.com, enter joe@ in this field and abc.com in the URL field.

Description/URL

Optionally, you can enter a description of what the number represents. If it is an email address, then enter the URL here.

Special Functions

  • AF=Auto Fax Option.

  • EM=E-Mail Option.

  • PL=Price List or Purchase Order.

  • AK=Order acknowledgement.

  • IN=Invoice.

Enter Y to indicate that this phone number or e-mail address is the preferred recipient of the respective function.

Extra Digit

  • Leave blank if no prefix should be dialed prior to the fax number.

  • Enter L if this is a local number and you want the area code to be ignored.

  • Enter 1 (or other applicable digit) if a prefix number should be dialed prior to the fax number.

The next screen shows the relationship between the Phone Number File and ODS. It shows that when you choose to autofax or email the system retrieves the entries made in the Phone Number File. You can then decide whether or not to use them.

ODS_Distribute.gif 

Note: For more information on how the Phone Number File interacts with ODS, refer to Distributing Documents.

Accessing ODS

The following are the two ways to access the ODS program.

Click on Operations to expose a pull down menu and then select Output Distribution.

MenuBar6.gif 

Fig1.gif 

This ODS menu contains every option needed to run Output Distribution successfully. It is accessed via entering ODS on the selection line.

Note:   Almost every option requires authorization to use in update or create mode.

Associated Files

ODS Set-up Options

Distributing Documents

ODS Distribution Options

ODS and the Web

Other Related ODS options - ODS 21, 22, 23

IFS Related Options

Email Defaults - ODS 100

Report Scheduler - ODS 40

Troubleshooting ODS

Related FAQs

ODS FAQs

Why doesn't the ODS Email/Fax Screen appear in Order Entry when making a change via F6

Unable to email Invoices - ODS EMAIL (Various Docs)