Printing AFP documents on PCL printers

A bank creates its loan applications in AFP format for printing on high-speed AFP printers. The company also wants to print these documents at their branch offices. However, the printers at their branch offices can print only PCL data.

Here is how the company can use the AFP to PCL transform together with Infoprint Server to meet its requirement:

1. A batch application running on z/OS creates an AFP document in an output data set on the JES spool. The application's JCL directs the output data set to Infoprint Server to be printed on a PCL printer in the branch office.
2. Infoprint Server determines that the AFP document must be transformed into PCL format before printing and calls the AFP to PCL transform.
3. The AFP to PCL transform uses AFP resources, such as a form definition, fonts, and images from AFP resource libraries, to convert the AFP data to PCL format.
4. Infoprint Server transmits the PCL document over the TCP/IP network to the PCL printer.

Figure 1 shows how to print an AFP document on a PCL printer.

Figure 1. Printing AFP documents on PCL printers