Recent updates, changes to Data Extraction module

By Dave Brooks on Mon, 07/17/2017 - 17:53

Introduction

The data extraction module is part of the Elite edition of RPM Remote Print Manager® or "RPM". This module gives you a way to extract text fields from your print job using rules you define.

For instance, you might want to use an invoice number which starts at column 60 on line 5 of your print job. Let's say you want to use that in the job's filename when you archive to disk (after converting to PDF).

There is a simple way to do this. Since we have already devoted several web pages to this topic, we won't rehash the steps here. We listed these pages at the bottom of this page. In summary, this is what you do:

  1. add a data extraction transform
  2. add a "rule" specifying line 5 and column 60
  3. assign the result to the job's "name" field

Later, when you create your archive action (also described in the data extraction articles) you specify the job's "name" field in the filename. When RPM processes your job, that's the name it will get, the value starting at column 60, line five. If it were me, I'd likely add a file extension along with whatever else makes sense.

You can do the same thing with patterns but we've already documented that elsewhere. The process is the same as what you are familiar with.

What we've changed

When we first introduced data extraction in January 2016 in RPM version 6.1.0.418, the way we did this was to have RPM launch a program. This became somewhat time-consuming.

We now do the entire data extraction within RPM. Rather than 5-10 seconds it now takes milliseconds.

We've also improved the way we use the data extraction values to form file names. Before we were hitting the database each time but we've streamlined that process as well.

The reason these changes are "big" to us is that they make a considerable difference in processing speed and the impact on your system.

Conclusion

We included these changes in version 6.1.0.450 which we posted April 26, 2017. You can check for updates in the Help menu of the RPM user interface, or contact your salesperson with your questions.

Data extraction links

As promised: