The BlueMail module is a feature which sends your iSeries (AS/400) data - as an e-mail - in PDF,
TIFF and also in XML format.
You can work with all types of spool data and send e.g. invoice copy or purchase orders as e-mail.
You have also access to a "Send Email command" enabling you to send iSeries (AS/400) files as an attachment to the e-mail.
You can also e-mail electronic forms merged in SCS or AFP format.
The Distribution of emails can be executed a) manually or b) automatically.
- Recipients can be selected manually from the BlueMail address-/phonebook where you can select between single recipients or groups.
- The distribution of e-mails is fully automated by use of:
- Monitored output queues with fixed recipient.
- Intelligent monitored output queues.
- Spool file sender command.
The BlueMail feature improves the handling of inbound faxes as all inbound
faxes, received by BlueFax, can be
distributed internally via e-mail.
The distribution can be executed manually (by the receptionist) or via BlueSeries automatics.
A fax received from a known sender - can automatically be routed as e-mail to a known person/department in your organization.
System requirements to the BlueMail module:
- TCP/IP is installed and active on your iSeries400.
- You have allready access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and can connect to a mail server (SMTP server).
- You must know the IP-address of your SMTP mail server.
XML Support for BlueSeries
XML Support.
You are probably aware of the EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) concept. It is the electronic communication of business transactions, such as orders, confirmations and invoices, between organizations. Third parties provide EDI services that enable organizations with different equipment to connect. Although interactive access may be a part of it, EDI implies direct computer-to-computer transactions into vendors' databases and ordering systems.
The Internet has given EDI quite a boost, but not by using private networks and the traditional EDI data formats (X12, EDIFACT and TRADACOMS).
Rather, XML has been the glue that connects businesses together using the Web as the communications
vehicle.
We have taken the consequence. BlueSeries 5.1 can convert data from any Spooled file on the iSeries (AS/400) - direct into XML files!
The core message is basically the following: You can use BlueSeries and send e.g. invoices direct – using email or FTP – as a file in the correct XML format and deliver it, according to the specifications set by the
recipient.
We have decided, that XML handling will be standard in the BlueMail module adding a new competitive edge to this
product.
There is also a legal aspect. A XML file is impossible for read for ordinary people. An electronic invoice must therefore - e.g. by Danish law - be available as a readable copy (as file attachment, fax or hardcopy by choice). The law is probably different in other countries - but it is still logical for us that it is the same module that handles the whole process.
BlueSeries 5.1 can transform invoices, order confirmations and purchase orders to XML documents, without changing anything in the existing ERP-solution. Missing data will be taken from the ERP-solution via SQL Database-checks and small Scripts. Further BlueSeries handles the transportation via FTP or e-mail and documents all transactions in the log.
When an EDI agreement is made, a DTD (Data Type Definition), which describes the format of the XML message is agreed upon between the parties and published on an Internet site. BlueSeries takes this definition from the Internet and via a visual data modeling tool show the data definitions in a tree-like structure. The individual levels/fields can be added a script, which can be used to collect missing information or format existing information.
We believe that XML will become the most used data interchange format in the
future.
