Spool Control Configuration

Mobicint Lesssons Spool Control Configuration

Spool Control Configuration within the FLEX system allows users to define default parameters for FLEX report processing. These settings are crucial for managing report retention, printing behaviors, and archival methods.

Accessing Spool Control Configuration

To access Spool Control Configuration:

  • Navigate to System Administration in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • Select Spool Control Configuration.

Configuration Sections

The Spool Control Configuration interface is divided into several key sections:

1. Days To Retain Reports in Output Queue

This section defines the default number of days various report types are retained in the output queue on the server.

  • DLY (Daily Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated daily (e.g., ACH Processing, Automatic Transfer Posting).
    • Recommended setting: 60 days.
  • EOD (End of Day Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated during End of Day processes (e.g., teller balancing reports, GL Trial Balance).
    • Recommended setting: 90 days.
  • EOM (End of Month Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated during End of Month processes.
    • Recommended setting: 90 days.
  • EGL (General Ledger Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated when the general ledger open period is closed (e.g., GL Trial Balance, YTD Analysis).
    • Recommended setting: 185 days.
  • FRM (Special Forms Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated when a new loan is processed (special forms).
    • Recommended setting: 4 days.
  • HLD (On-Hold Reports):
    • Applies to reports generated by any process that have been placed on hold within the printer’s output queue.
    • Recommended setting: 18 days.

2. Printing Defaults

These settings apply only to newly added reports that have never been generated before. The system will use these defaults for initial report setup.

  • Output to Printer:
    • Yes: Newly added reports will default to print to the designated printer.
    • No: Newly added reports will default to not print.
    • Hold: Reports will remain on hold in the printer’s output queue and will not print until manually released by a user.
  • Printer ID:
    • Specifies the default printer ID for new reports.
    • Can be left blank; in this case, the report will use the printer ID defined in Workstation Configuration.
  • # Copies:
    • Enter the default number of copies to print for new reports.
  • Duplex:
    • Checkbox to enable two-sided printing by default for new reports.
    • Note: Duplex printing must be supported by the designated printer.

3. Purge Defaults

This section configures automatic purging of spool files.

  • Purge Spool File:
    • Indicates whether the document should be included in the automatic purge process at End of Month (EOM).
  • Months Until Purge:
    • If “Purge Spool File” is checked, specify the number of months to retain the report before it is automatically purged at EOM.

4. Copy Spool Files to Document Microfiche Library?

This option is generally not recommended by FLEX, as it consumes more server space and has been superseded by Document Manager.

  • Check Yes or No to default new reports in an output queue to create a copy in the microfiche library.
  • Clear Library After Back-Up:
    • If using microfiche, this option determines whether the library containing microfiche files should be cleared after a backup is complete.
    • If set to No, manual deletion of reports may be necessary to avoid duplicates.

5. Copy Spool Files to Document Management Systems?

This setting controls the creation of PDF copies of output queues.

  • Check Yes or No to create a PDF copy of each output queue.
  • FLEX Recommended Setting: Yes for all output queues.
  • Note: These settings apply only to newly added reports.

6. Copy Spool Files to I Drive?

This option defaults new reports to be copied to the i:drive.

  • Check Yes or No to default new reports added to any designated output queue to copy to the i:drive.
  • Typical Usage: This is often set to No for an entire group and managed at the individual report level. It is most commonly used for critical reports like the General Ledger Trial Balance as a disaster recovery tool.

7. Form Control

Form Control specifies the printer control characters that replace the report file’s internal printer control characters. This setting appears in multiple sections (e.g., for Microfiche Library and I Drive copies).

  • *NONE: No printer control characters are inserted into the report output file.
  • *FCFC (ANSI Forms Control Characters):
    • Inserts ANSI forms control characters.
    • These codes are understood by most microfiche processors.
    • Optical Disk Catalog print and import routines also utilize *FCFC printer control characters.
  • *PRTCTL (Dynamic Printer Control):
    • The *PRTCTL keyword specifies the use of dynamic printer control.
    • The data_struct parameter refers to the forms control information and line count value.
  • *S36FMT:
    • Inserts the same printer control characters as the S/36 COPYPRT command (IBM).

8. Code Page

This setting indicates how the form will be copied to the i:drive.

  • *1252: Copies form using the stream method.
  • *437: Copies form using the PCD method.
  • *37: Copies form using the stream method, still uses ASCII format but in a different view.

Saving and Refreshing Configuration

  • Save: Click the Save button to apply any changes made to the Spool Control Configuration.
  • Refresh: Click the Refresh button to reload the current configuration settings.

Related Documentation

For instructions on managing individual report settings, please refer to:

  • Document Manager Configuration in FLEX Academy.