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Data
Interchange
& Conversion Software |
What
is data interchange? - Data interchange
is the process of moving information from one computer
to another. In situations where the computers are
linked the data can be sent over a network. Where
no link exists, the information can be written to
removable media, which is subsequently read by the
target computer. This option is often used even
when the computers are linked, as a means of increasing
the speed of data transfer, improving security,
or reducing processing overheads.
Why
is half-inch tape used extensively for data interchange?
- Open reel half-inch tape and more recently 3480/90/90E
cartridge tape is the media used by large computers
for archive and backup purposes. The recording densities,
formats and labelling conventions are established standards,
some of which have been in existence for three decades.
On many Mid-range computer systems and Mainframes, tape
is the only removable media and it is estimated that
90% of the worlds archived data is stored on this media.
Tape is robust and offers perfect data integrity by
virtue of read after write technology. The tape drives
that write this media are among the fastest data recording
devices ever made. The answer to the previous question
is now fairly obvious. Half-inch tape conforms to world-wide
interchange standards, is accessible on most computers,
from PCs through to Mainframes, and provides long-term
security of investment for tape drive purchasers.
How
can software help? - There are two main reasons
why software may be required in data interchange applications.
1.
As a device handler, providing access to the tape drive
and control of its auto-loader or library attachment.
2.
As a tool for data conversion.
What
is data conversion?
- Data conversion is the translation of electronic
information from one form to another, i.e. from a disk,
tape or file type, which an organisation's equipment
cannot understand, to a specific format which it can.
Our latest software greatly simplifies this task. Facilities
such as automatic format recognition and the ability
to view files and data on the screen in ASCII, EBCDIC
or Hexadecimal means the need for any special training
has now been completely removed. Developed from the
most advanced media and data converter available today,
this utility is comprehensive, affordable and easy to
use. Capable of recognising over 100 different formats,
it provides thousands of read and write combinations
- Practically any format you are ever likely to encounter
can be rewritten in a form that suits your host system,
specific application or database format.
How
our data conversion software works? - Extremely
easy to use, through a simple Windows interface, tape
files from virtually any source can be automatically
retrieved and converted to your PC's hard disk or network
server. Conversely, output to any tape media is provided
by a number of industry-standard formats. Features include:
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Windows
95/98/NT compliant
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Tape
Scanning and analysis
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Comprehensive
on-line help
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IBM,
ANSI and ECMA labelled tape support
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Output
to console display
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EBCDIC,
ASCII and user defined translation
tables
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Fixed,
variable and spanned records converted.
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Packed,
zoned and BCD fields re-formatted
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Batch
Processing from DOS shell command-line
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Tape
duplication to multiple output
tape drives
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Tar,
CPIO and backup tape formats fully
supported
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New
formats constantly being added
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Random
or sequential cartridge auto-loader
access
What
happens if we find a new format?
- Our software will be updated to
add the new format. Alternatively, we
can write a conversion program, which
will convert the new format to any format
you specify. The program can be written
in house and e-mailed to you, sometimes
within hours of your call.
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