XPFC Storms Ahead in 1st Year's Launch Activities

XPFC - Great results, Good user take-up, Great user feedback

................ read on for the story !

And in the Beginning ........
Back in 1994, PSD identified that there was a need for a powerful, flexible, but above all ...... easy to install, easy to use, and easy to maintain solution for all those MVS/JES2 installations running XPS's out there - Tough to find, and even tougher to deliver, Eh ?

Well ........ PSD identified the basic XPFC package and went to work with the developers who were fully committed to working with PSD to get the much sought after "Best Fit" solution.

And Oh Boy, were there a few challenges during the year of 1995 !

Powerful Support for all XPS's
XPFC drives all XPS printers running in DJDE mode - So it's good for 4235's right through to 4635's.

XPFC also provides support for multiple XPS printers attached to the same MVS host, and even MIXED printer types (such as 4050 and 4850). And XPFC supports (multiple/mixed) XPS's connected both in LOCAL and or REMOTE modes.

XPFC is really unique in it's approach - it takes it's basic XPS controls from the actual MVS/JES2 characteristics of the individual reports being printed, so that the various XPS layouts/forms/fonts etc can be associated with a print dataset WITHOUT any changes being needed to the JCL, program or application.

XPFC produces a "Self Managing" print load for the XPS - all the various DJDE's are planted "in flight" to dynamically produce USER DEFINED front and or back covers, and control sequences for INDIVIDUAL user reports - So no need to organise reports into CLASS'es to reflect a particular print layout, and virtually no MVS or XPS operator involvement.

Better still ...... XPFC also provides powerful features to "force" XPS controls onto named print datasets to achieve high XPS exploitation even where the JCL is "hostile", or simply unavailable.

Good User Cross Section
XPFC sites now cover a wide cross section of users ...... numerous universities, all levels of government ..... even the US Navy ! ...... big corporates such as Cessna Aircraft Corp, General Electric, Kawasaki, and Pacific Bell ...... and some of the big boys in the laser printing bureau business .... such as JCI and Southern Data Printing Services.

Keen Pricing
And before you ask, YES - pricing on XPFC is really keen !

Real Easy to Install
XPFC doesn't force any user "culture changes" because XPFC exploits the STANDARD MVS/JES2 regime. Highly reliable too - because there's virtually no human involvement.

XPFC is controlled from it's central "Configurator File". This is really simple and straightforward ..... it's virtually self explanatory ...... and is maintained using the regular TSO editor.

The basic XPFC product has been completely overhauled by PSD, new documentation produced, and even a novel "Quick Start Deck" designed and implemented so that users really do get rapid and highly visible results on their XPS's with the absolute minimum of hassle and effort.

XPFC has now matured nicely, and is poised to surge ahead in the years to come.

XPFC provides an extensive range of powerful and flexible features - Case Studies show that virtually no two XPFC installations use the package in the same way.

Many XPFC users openly admit that the package is much more sophisticated than the documentation indicates ...... and that can't be a bad thing !

Compatible Online & Offline Options .......
In trying to address and satisfy end user demands, PSD rolled out XPFC in both the online (channel connected XPS's) and also the offline (open reel tapes and or 3480 cartridges) versions so that all modes and preferences of user practices were satisfied from the very outset.

Offline XPFC is fully compatible with the online version, so this product not only provides support for those sites who prefer this mode of working, but also provides a fully compatible method of securing important prints to tape/cartridge, and also neatly provides a neat and effective method of offloading peak print workloads - maybe to an external print bureau ?

These online/offline XPFC options support "last minute" decisions on whether print workloads are to be spooled online or offline, and WITHOUT any user involvement in terms of changing programs, JCL, or applications.

Great Track Record ......
Support Calls on XPFC during the roll-out period have been satisfyingly very low - with much lower than average incidents and queries being lodged.

XPFC is set up and running in the Labs in El Segundo, thus guaranteeing fast and rapid turnround of user problems and queries.

But we've saved the best till last .................... the latest version of XPFC (V3R3) was rolled out during the third quarter of 1996, and it's got LOADS of new and really useful and effective features ..... produced mainly in response to user requests.

So we're SURE that this makes XPFC an even more effective package to help increase XPS volumes, XPS exploitation, and greater user satisfaction .............. and all WITHOUT expecting our users to commit to high levels of technical support ....... nor do they have to become Rocket Scientists !

Just see the XPFC V3R3 pages to check out why we're so excited about this release !