AS400 Email – IBM Solution vs 3rd Party Software

Basically, you can send AS400 Email directly from your IBM i, iSeries, or AS400 in two ways.
1. Use the functionality built into the IBM Operating System.
2. Use a 3rd Party Software application (such as SpoolFlex).
This page should provide you with enough information about both methods to help you decide which method is best for your AS400 Email solution.

For Transparency: No one possesses detailed knowledge about all the available Third Party AS400 Email Software Solutions. Therefore, when someone references information about the “Third Party Solution,” the details depend heavily on an in-depth understanding of the SpoolFlex Software Solution and some familiarity with other Third Party Software Solutions available for the IBM i, iSeries, and AS400.

There are 4 steps for implementing and using an AS400 Email Solution.

  1. Install
  2. Setup and Configuration
  3. Use
  4. Troubleshooting

1. Install

Using the IBM OS method, you do not need to install anything because the operating system includes the functionality to send emails. With a third-party solution, you must download the software from the internet and install it onto the IBM System. The download should take no more than 10-15 minutes.

2. Setup and Configuration for AS400 Email

A technical person must set up and configure the IBM OS method. Often, even technical individuals encounter difficulties in correctly setting it up and configuring it. The steps and process for setting up and configuring the AS400 Email Method are lengthy (and technical), so we have dedicated a web page for them here.

Some Third Party Software Solutions provide a user-friendly interface for using the IBM AS400 Email functionality, so users must still complete the Setup and Configuration for the IBM OS Method for those Third Party Software Solutions.

Our Third Party Solution (SpoolFlex) does not utilize any of the Email functionality built into the IBM OS. Therefore, you can quickly set up and configure it by selecting a menu option, entering the IP address of your Email Server, and specifying whether you want to add the option E=Email on the AS400 Work Spooled File (WRKSPLF) program and Work Output Queue (WRKOUTQ) program.

3. Use

Most users do not want to simply send an email from the AS400, as they can accomplish that with their desktop email software, such as Outlook. Typically, users want to email a report generated by their ERP application.

The IBM AS400 Method for Email does not allow converting spooled files to PDF, so they must perform that step separately before using the IBM API Send Distribution (SNDDST) to attach and send the resulting PDF in an email. Also, the IBM API SNDDST for Email cannot be automated. To automate the IBM OS Email Method, a programmer needs to write a program or purchase additional software.

The table below lists many other limitations of the IBM OS method. Third-party software solutions, such as SpoolFlex for AS400 Email, primarily allow users to convert a report to PDF and email it in one step. Most of these solutions also enable users to automate the process of converting to PDF and sending emails.

4. Troubleshooting AS400 Email

We have barely established procedures for troubleshooting IBM OS methods for AS400 Email. Instead, we rely on trial and error, hoping that the generated messages will provide potential clues about the issue’s location. A highly technical person must troubleshoot the IBM OS method. Because the IBM OS method of emailing is prone to errors, it can create a major issue, and you will quickly become very familiar with using Google. The better Third Party AS400 Email Solutions provide some type of assistance.

 

IBM Email
SNDDST
SNDSMTPEMM
3rd Party SW
SpoolFlex
Send Email from IBM i, iSeries, AS400 ✔ ✔
Does Not Require a Technical Person ❌ ✔
No Programming Required ❌ ✔
Attach a Report ✔ ✔
Burst Report During Email Process ❌ ✔
Automated Conversion to PDF and Email Process ❌ ✔
Convert Report to PDF during Email Process ❌ ✔
Password Protect PDF Files using AES256 ❌ ✔
Add Logos/Graphics During Email Process ❌ ✔
Add Color Highlighting to PDF ❌ ✔
Audit Trail for Tracking Sent Email ❌ ✔
Simple Troubleshooting Process ❌ ✔
Email Reports as Excel Files ❌ ✔
Can Attach Multiple Files to a Single Email ❌ ✔
Supports Email Authentication ❌ ✔

Watch 90 Second Software Overview Video

AS400 Email

 

Vendors and customers are increasingly demanding direct receipt of their documents via email from their IBM i, iSeries, or AS/400 systems. You need an AS400 Email solution that seamlessly integrates into your AS400 (IBM i, iSeries) enterprise to complete this task and keep track of documents. Users experience a minimized learning curve and enjoy automatically archived emails that allow for quick and easy search and retrieval when needed. The system provides users with a minimized learning curve and automatic archiving for their emails.

DRV Technologies provides SpoolFlex, which offers simple and affordable email functionality and management in one solution for complete AS400 compatibility.

 









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