The state's Social Services Data Processing Division manages and distributes
approximately 1.8 million print jobs per month. With over 2500 remote printers
scattered across 115 counties, the Data Processing Division implemented Solimar's
iCONVERT™ solution at a truly enterprise level. Solimar Systems interviewed
the agencies' Computer Information Technology Specialist to learn more about
their impressive environment.
Before standardizing on Solimar's iCONVERT, the State previously tried a variety
of offerings from other vendors. The Technology Specialist explains the State's
experiences, "Routing print to remote printers was previously achieved
by a variety of means. Due to the nature of mainframe IPDS data, expensive hardware
and software solutions were required to ensure the PSF data would print properly
on a conventional PCL printer. Some of the options included installing IPDS
cards on the remote printers, using OS/2 print servers or other 3rd-party conversion
hardware and software solutions at each remote office, and even purchasing expensive
IPDS-capable printers. iCONVERT's user interface, ease of configuration and
maintenance, versatility and licensing costs were all factors in choosing it
above other products."
"With iCONVERT we are able to simplify and standardize our environment while simultaneously saving large sums of money."
Technology Specialist
State Government
Managing the statewide deployment of reports is not a trivial task. The Technology
Specialist explains the specifics of the State's iCONVERT implementation, "iCONVERT
has been implemented in a single, centralized location on seven dedicated print
servers, eliminating the need for 200 remote print servers. Each of the seven
servers is configured for 359 remote printers to handle all 2500 printers in
our environment. iCONVERT's simple and intuitive GUI interface makes configuration
and maintenance chores easy, and the use of command files provides tremendous
flexibility in routing the print jobs. Having a centralized server environment
makes support and maintenance much simpler, faster and more cost-effective,"
states the Technology Specialist. "This helps insure reliable and always-available
print output to our users."
Eliminating the mix of previously installed hardware and software has benefited
the organization at many levels. "With iCONVERT we are able to simplify
and standardize our environment while simultaneously saving large sums of money.
We can now use standard PCL printers in all offices. Centralized server management
will also save a tremendous amount of time, money and labor, especially with
maintenance and support," explains the Technology Specialist. "Tangible
and intangible benefits are currently being realized."
"Solimar has an extremely competent support staff. The technicians are friendly, fast, knowledgeable and extremely willing to help solve any problem I have."
Technology Specialist
State Government
Customer support both before and after a sale is one of Solimar System's top
priorities. We asked the Data Processing Division to comment on their experiences,
"Simply Superb Support – the best I've worked with. The support technicians
always reply immediately to messages or e-mails, and follow up on each support
incident to insure we are happy with the resolution and have no further need
of their services."
When asked to summarize the agency's overall impression of iCONVERT, the Technology
Specialist states, "The iCONVERT platform has been very stable and consistent
in its performance. It's a very flexible product that we can easily expand to
handle whatever growth we see in future years."
