XPFC Provides Escape Route from 4075 & XPM

University of California at Riverside was keen to transfer their workload from an ageing 4075 to a 4050 - XPFC did it !

Background
UCR were a longstanding XPS user - their 4075 running under XPM had served them well, but it's age was beginning to show !

Xerox was able to pitch a deal to swap the 4075 for a 4050 - so far so good ......

Now came the problem of converting their workload from XPM to a 4050.

XPFC was still in it's "Roll-Out" period, but PSD felt that the product was robust enough to provide the necessary 4075-4050 transition support services. The PSD view was that even at this early stage, XPFC had the capability to provide all the necessary features to replace XPM at the site.

The plan was agreed with UCR, and the wheels put in motion.

Requirement
UCR wanted to get the benefits of duplex printing, which was not available on the 4075/XPM. But at the same time, would not tolerate any disruption of printing services to their user community.

The UCR approach had been to use XPM mainly to map the FORMS JCL value into a JOBENTRY (JET) on the 4075. Additional /*XPMSETUP cards were coded on some JCL to adjust printing slightly from the JET entry invoked by the FORMS JCL reference.

There was also a keen desire to get access to regular 4050 features, and start exploiting these, but there was no clear plan - but no problem !

Solution
XPFC was selected as a replacement for XPM.

The FORMS JCL was now mapped to a JDE on the 4050 similar to the FORMS to JET mapping under XPM for the 4075 - this addressed the majority of the workload.

The 4050 was installed alongside the 4075 - so the "old" 4075/XPM service continued whilst the 4050 settled-in, and the workload could be cut over.

XPM and XPFC had to co-exist within the same MVS/JES2 system. This was easily achieved with no problems.

The XPFC software was loaded down and customized by the UCR's MVS Systems Programmer with minimal assistance from PSD staff onsite - the whole process only took an hour !

UCR proceeded using their own resources, and migrated steadily from the XPM/4075 environment to the XPFC/4050 environment with minimal change to Production Job's JCL.

As a result of customer feedback, a number of XPFC enhancements and refinements were suggested, and these were scheduled into the development plan for XPFC V3R2 and this was released to UCR in March 1995. This had some additional runtime parameter information for inclusion within their cover sheets.

In June 1995, UCR was supplied with XPFC V3R2 for MVS/JES2 Version 5 Release 1, and carried out the upgrade themselves with no problems.

Summary of Key Issues

	XPFC provides a powerful and hassle free transition route for 4075/XPM sites
	XPFC can co-exist with XPM during the changeover period - thus providing an attractive "safety net" in case any problems arise
	XPFC is easily customized thru it's Configurator File, so users can easily and rapidly tailor and customize XPFC to their PRECISE requirements
	XPFC provides full functionality for all high volume XPS printers - so the same approach works for 4075 - 48.. style transitions too !
	Standard XPFC was acceptable to UCR - PSD believes that it's probably OK for the majority of all XPM users

Even if there are XPM/XPFC "difficulties", PSD is able to mount special projects and involve the XPFC developers to deliver custom built solutions at real keen rates !

XPFC is a strategic PSD product - users will benefit from the XPFC Development Program, and enjoy a comprehensive support service

And Also ...................

	XPFC runs on all versions of MVS/JES ESA (V4 upwards)
	XPFC is now available for MVS/XA
	XPFC drives all XPS systems, including multiple (and mixed) printers connected to the same host
	XPFC can drive XPS's in both online (channel connected) and offline (tape/cartridge) mode, thus offering complete compatibility, and maximum flexibility
	XPFC V3R3 is just about to be released - see the separate datasheet which describes all the exciting new features

PSD can provide tailored "XPFC Professional Support Services" to give you expert onsite support and consultancy, and virtually guarantee a smooth transition off 4075/XPM