Information Systems:Catapult

Catapult is sold and supported by the same people as WebSmart.

Catapult is an automated distribution tool that delivers spool files in the format people want (From BCD’s website). We use it to deliver printer output in PDF to WebOrders and InfoNet. It can also fax, email, and archive reports; getting the address or destination information from within the spool file itself. (See ‘Catapult and WebSmart manuals’ in the same folder as this manual.)

The i uses the EXODUS51 subsystem to communicate with Catapult (as well as with the WebSmart IDE). But the link is pretty sensitive. If the subsystem is ended while Catapult remains active, the link will not be re-established when the system is restarted. Catapult will also have to be restarted. Because we go into a restricted state every night, Catapult has to be put on a schedule that will restart it automatically every morning. As of 24 Jun 2015, this is not working correctly.

We are saving a lot of spool files in the library ‘FINANCE’, which is a manual process. I would like to use Catapult to archive all this, in PDF, on SuperServer, in a folder structure formatted to make it clear where things are; ie ‘/InvoiceRegister/ 2015/’, and ‘/InventoryValue/2015/’.

In order for Catapult to run, subsystem ‘EXODUS51’ and job ‘EXSERV51’ must be running. If they aren’t, ENDSBS EXODUS51 (if the subsystem is running but the job isn’t), then STRSBS XL_EX51/EXODUS51.

Catapult runs as a service on Magoo. Right click on the red ball in the lower right corner. A couple of the options are –

Launch Console

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Configure the connection to the i through File / Connect to System.

These are the ‘rules’ that determine which spool files will be processed. We are currently only using rules 10 and 28. Double click on one to edit it.

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You can see on the left which sections are in use. Click on each one to see what’s there. Notice that ‘Transformation’ says to create a PDF document, and ‘Distribution’ says to archive it in \\bart.unipharm.local\webroot\unipharm\ShelfLabels.

However, some of these settings can be changed when the rule is called; which can be done by the poller, or by a CL command.

Manage Pollers

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(The second poller was to test the Power 8 computer, and I cannot figure out how to delete it.)

The poller looks at specific out queues on the i, and checks to see if anything matches the defined rules. Here is where you setup the times the poller will automatically run, which out queues to monitor, and how often to look at them.

However, although the poller is running, it isn’t actually finding anything, based on the rules. The CL programs that build the spool files manually call the rule we want to run (after adding XL_CATAPLT to the library list).

ZRUNRULE FILE(LABELS) SPLNBR(*LAST) RULENBR(28) TIMEOUT(20) PCFILE(11005_20150508_105938.pdf) PCPATH('\\bart\webroot\unipharm\shelflabels')

This calls rule 28, manually changing the spool file name, output file name, and where to put it.

Even though rule 10 is called ‘Price Tickets’, we also use it for partner lists and mailing labels in WebSmart.

If Exodus is running, but Catapult isn’t, Exodus will queue the ZRUNRULE commands, then submit them all when Catapult comes up. Typically, they will fail, as the spool files have been deleted. Normally this is best. Except for BRMS (Backup, Recovery, and Media Services), which was added in June 2015. For it, we want the emails sent, and the reports archived to SuperServer. So CL program EODEMAIL does not delete the spool files – it is periodically done manually.

Shelf Labels

These can be printed by shareholders in Web Orders; either by item number or by invoice. The i creates a spool file, then calls a Catapult rule to create a PDF file, and place it in the IFS (PC type disk on the i). Web Orders displays this PDF, and the user prints it.

They are difficult to print; not all printers output the PDF file exactly the same, so they don’t always line up on the forms. Sometimes the printers have trouble feeding the cardboard, so again they don’t line up.

If a shareholder is printing a lot of shelf labels, we can do it for them. Go to Unity / Start uniPharm Extensions / VA Company / Work with UWD IT Tools. Then we have two choices; print by sales order, or by file.

The store can use UniTech to scan the items they want labels for, then upload into the label cart. We don’t need the label cart – they can clear it, we need to know the date and time they uploaded the file. Go to bart / webroot / uniPHARM / Handheld Orders, and find the uploaded file. (file name is ‘HH’, store number, time.)

The printer file is built on Bart, then sent via Catapult to -

bart\webroot\unipharm\shelflabels\shlabels.pdf

Double click on this file to load it into Adobe Reader.

Print this, making sure that ‘Page Scaling’ is set to None.

Label Formats

The label header file is WSLBHDP in library WEBPRDD.

WORK WITH DATA IN A FILE                       Mode . . . . :   CHANGE         
Format . . . . :   WSLBHDR                     File . . . . :   WSLBHDP        
                                                                               
*RECNBR:              5                                                        
Label Type:    SHELF                                                           
Label form:    TYPE1A                                                          
Description:   Std-includes SRP, descr at bot                                  
Top Mgn:                                                                       
Lft Mgn:                                                                       
Labels Across:   4                                                             
Lbls Down:       8                                                             
Label Width:    28                                                             
Label Length:   11                                                             
Col Adj Lbl #:   4                                                             
Col Adj Cols:    1-                                                            
Row Adj Lbl1:    2                                                             
Row Adj Lbl2:    6                                                             
Row Adj Rows:    1                                                             

Top margin

- how many lines above top label

Left margin

- how many spaces to left of first label

Label width

- width in characters

Label length

- length in lines

The next five fields are required if the computer cannot exactly match the dimensions of the form; a ‘fudge factor’.

Column adjustment label number

- column of labels on which to do vertical adjustment

Column adjustment

- number of columns to insert (this can be negative to delete columns)

Row adjustment label number (first)

- row of labels on which to do horizontal adjustment

Row adjustment label number (second)

- row of labels on which to do horizontal adjustment

Row adjustment

- number of rows to insert (this cannot be negative)

The label detail file is WSLBDTP in library WEBPRDD.

WORK WITH DATA IN A FILE                       Mode . . . . :   CHANGE         
Format . . . . :   WSLBDTR                     File . . . . :   WSLBDTL1       
                                                                               
Label Type: SHELF                                                              
Label form: TYPE1A                                                             
Line:         6                                                                
Column:       1                                                                
Field name: SRP                                                                
Abs Pos 1:    7                                                                
Abs Pos 2:   20                                                                
Abs Pos 3:   34                                                                
Abs Pos 4:   49                                                                
Abs Pos 5:                                                                     
Abs Pos 6:                                                                     
Abs Pos 7:                                                                     
Abs Pos 8:                                                                     
Abs Pos 9:                                                                     
Font name:  Courier New                                                        
Font size:  16                                                                 
Bold?:                                                                         

This file positions each field on the label.

Line and Column

- this field’s position on each label

Field name

- the options are UPC, UWD item #, Pathfinder, size, SRP, description 1, and description 2

Absolute Position

- use this column, which in relation to the entire page, rather than ‘Column’, which in relation to an individual label. Up to nine labels can be defined.

Font name and size

- change the font and size of the field (for example, print the price larger)

Bold

- bold the field (for example, description, which for Medicine Centre shelf labels is printed on a green background)