ColdXtender

ColdXtender from OTG Software is a flexible, powerful solution for electronically managing computer output data and reports. Formatted computer reports that are routinely printed to paper, microfilmed, or microfiched can be processed and stored electronically using ColdXtender. These reports can then be retrieved quickly and efficiently from the desktop, avoiding time-consuming searches through stacks of paper or microfilm. ColdXtender is a powerful tool for reducing and eliminating the costs associated with the storage, use, and distribution of off-line media (i.e. paper, microfilm, and microfiche).

ColdXtender extracts identifying index data from computer output reports and stores the index data and associated reports in searchable database applications. Using an automated index extraction utility, ColdXtender catalogues and compresses computer reports for storage. After processing, reports are immediately available for retrieval through OTG's ApplicatinXtender and WebXtender. ApplicationXtender's graphical user interface makes it easy to display, print, fax, e-mail, or annotate stored reports. WebXtender allows reports to be retrieved and viewed over corporate intranets or the World Wide Web.

ColdXtender has a powerful extract definition module that allows you to easily define rules for extracting index data from computer output reports. ColdXtender provides a list of functions used to find index information regardless of its placement on a page. Using a point-and-click interface, you can pinpoint the location of index information by selecting it on sample report pages.

ColdXtender has a high-speed extract/import module that automatically extracts index information from report pages. ColdXtender can extract indexes from up to 350,000 report pages per hour, although times may vary depending on the number of index fields defined, the type of PC being used, and the format of the print stream. ColdXtender then imports the extracted index information into a centralized ODBC-compliant database. Report pages are compressed by ColdXtender and stored to any available storage device (hard drive, network file server, or OTG's DskXtender). Compression ratios will vary by report type but average greater than 3 to 1.

The optional Gateway Server module allows applications running on host based terminals (3270) to search for and display computer output report data stored by ColdXtender. A simple request-and-reply protocol allows any 3270-based application to communicate with the database through a shared hard disk. Companies with programming resources can enhance host applications to support display, printing, and faxing of computer output data stored in ColdXtender.

ColdXtender's Batch Extract module allows you to schedule multiple computer report extracts for automatic processing. Batch extract is used to schedule reports to be processed during slower system activity times (e.g., evenings and weekends). Extracts can be scheduled to process on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis, and can be prioritized to fit enterprise requirements.

ColdXtender also includes comprehensive error logging, debugging capabilities, and statistical report generation. Debugging features include an extract "test mode" to allow you to preview the index data to be extracted from the report before processing. Statistical reports can be generated to show compression comparisons (source versus stored file), the number of pages processed, the page exception listings, and processing time analysis.