Re: Lexmark printer woes

Hi, here are my experience and thoughts, hope they are of use:

I work for a UK iSeries ISV in the tech services division, we have a
number of clients that used OptraForms, it was a reliable, easy to
implement product. Over the last couple of years we been migrating
clients away from it to other methods of spool generation. I looked
and the new Forms product from Lexmark and didn't see the cost benefit
of migrating to it compared to some of the others on the market.

My general advice would be:

For simple overlays use native iSeries overlays, they are free and
relatively easy to implement. This will work with just about any
PCL5+ printer not just Lexmark.

For medium complexity use native iSeries Page Segments with 5722IP1 -
Info Print Server. This is low cost and works with any PDF compatible
printers. Supports font substitution, bar coding & colour but you do
need access to the code.

For complex print environments use a 3rd Party product like Interform,
this is a native iSeries app that allow you to collate, combine and
separate spool files. You can then combine overlays and print, fax or
email the results. This does not require access to the code. This
tool works with just about any PCL5+ printer.

One thing that I would not do again is buy into a print solution that
is tied to a specific printer manufacturer, they have you over a
barrel then.

There are plenty of used Lexmark Optra printer that will run
OptraForms DIMMs on the market so you might want or consider
stockpiling a few and then taking your time choosing the replacement.

If you want to chat about it in more detail, feel free to drop me an
email any time.


Cheers, Brad.

.