AFP datastream support

The AFP Support feature lets you control and track jobs and individual documents in AFP format. AFP provides a transaction-oriented data stream that guarantees integrity between the RICOH ProcessDirector server and its printers. The printers can deliver the exact status of every page as it is received, printed, and stacked. The feature adds support for AFP and PCLOut printers.

The feature includes RICOH Visual Workbench with AFP Indexer, Document Property Designer, and AFP Enhancer modes. RICOH Visual Workbench lets you identify individual documents in AFP files and extract data from the documents. Step templates let you add steps to your workflows that use the extracted data to sort, split, and group the documents into new jobs.

Without this feature, you can view but not print AFP data, and you can pass AFP jobs to other programs.

AFP Editor lets you create barcodes and hide areas in indexed AFP files. You can create barcodes that contain index values, job properties, and static text.

For example, if the postal codes in an AFP file are index values, you can create barcodes that contain the postal codes. You can hide areas in AFP files. No one can see the data in the hidden areas, and the data does not print. For example, you can hide areas that contain existing barcodes that you want to replace. In addition, AFP Editor can automatically replace POSTNET barcodes with Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMBs) that have the same routing code. You can also add text strings, such as Page x of y, to formatted AFP files.

Whitespace Manager lets you define available areas of white space in AFP files. You can fill the white space with content, such as images and text, during the print production process. You place content in a white-space area based on rules you define to target content for specific customers or for the best use of available space.

WPM Connect lets you integrate the WPM tool into RICOH ProcessDirector workflows for more processing. WPM is not included in the WPM Connect feature; it is a product that must be purchased separately.

This feature is only available in Japan.