Simplifying Automated Report Generation on AS400 – The ‘What’ and ‘How’ of It

Data is now the backbone of strategic decision-making. Companies that use their data effectively can stay ahead of the competition, adapt to market changes, and drive innovation. For businesses running on AS400 (IBM i) systems, automating the process of report generation is a game-changer. It transforms the way data is handled, ensuring timely, accurate, and insightful information is always at your fingertips. In this blog, we’ll explore the ins and outs of report automation on AS400, uncovering its benefits, implementation strategies, and future trends.

The Need for Automated Report Generation

The AS400 system is celebrated for its reliability and scalability, making it a cornerstone of many enterprises' IT infrastructure. However, traditional methods of report generation on AS400 can be laborious and error-prone. Manual processes involve extracting data, formatting it, and compiling reports—tasks that are not only time-consuming but also susceptible to human error. Automating the report generation process addresses these challenges by streamlining the entire process, allowing businesses to save time, reduce errors, and produce consistent, high-quality reports. This not only boosts operational efficiency but also provides decision-makers with timely and accurate insights.

Benefits of Automating Reports on AS400

Time Savings

Automated report generation eliminates the need for manual data compilation, drastically reducing the time required to produce reports. This allows IT staff and business users to focus on more strategic tasks, enhancing overall productivity.

Accuracy

Human errors in data extraction and report creation can lead to incorrect insights, which can negatively impact business decisions. Automation minimizes these errors, ensuring that reports are accurate and reliable.

Consistency

Manual reporting can result in inconsistencies in format and data presentation. Automated processes ensure that reports adhere to predefined formats and standards, providing a uniform look and feel that enhances readability and professionalism.

Timeliness

Automated reports can be scheduled to run at specific intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) or triggered by certain events, ensuring that decision-makers have access to the information they need when they need it. This real-time access to data can significantly improve responsiveness and agility.

Customization

Different departments or users may require reports tailored to their specific needs. Automated systems can generate customized reports, providing relevant information in the desired format for each stakeholder.

Data Integration

Modern businesses often operate with data spread across multiple systems and databases. Automated reporting tools can integrate data from various sources, including both AS400 and external databases, providing a comprehensive view of the business.

Scalability

As businesses grow, the volume of data and complexity of reporting needs increase. Automated solutions can scale to handle larger datasets and more intricate reporting requirements, ensuring that the reporting infrastructure grows with the business.

Also read: Our AS400 Data Backup Solution for an Oklahoma-based Valve Manufacturer

Implementing Automated Report Generation

Automation of reports can be implemented using a combination of built-in AS400 tools, third-party solutions, and custom development. Here are some approaches:

Built-In AS400 Tools

Query/400

Query/400 is an IBM tool for creating and running simple reports directly from AS400 databases. It allows users to define queries and generate reports without needing extensive programming knowledge.

SQL/400

SQL/400 leverages the power of SQL for data extraction and manipulation. Users can write SQL scripts and stored procedures to extract data and generate reports, providing greater flexibility and control.

IBM Query Management Facility (QMF)

QMF is a more advanced tool that offers robust capabilities for creating and managing complex reports. It supports a wide range of data sources and provides extensive formatting and customization options.

Third-Party Reporting Tools

SEQUEL Software

SEQUEL Software provides a comprehensive suite of tools for data access, analysis, and reporting. It is designed specifically for AS400 systems and offers features like real-time data access, interactive dashboards, and automated report distribution.

New Generation Software (NGS)

NGS offers reporting and business intelligence solutions tailored for AS400 systems. Its tools enable users to create detailed reports, perform data analysis, and visualize data through interactive charts and graphs.

JasperReports

JasperReports is an open-source reporting tool that can be integrated with AS400 for generating dynamic reports. It supports a variety of output formats, including PDF, Excel, and HTML, and provides extensive customization options.

Custom Solutions

Python or Java Integration

Using programming languages like Python or Java, businesses can create custom scripts for data extraction, transformation, and report generation. These scripts can be tailored to specific business needs and integrated with AS400 systems through APIs or direct database connections.

APIs and Web Services

Custom APIs or web services can be developed to automate data retrieval and report creation. These APIs can be designed to interact with AS400 systems and other data sources, providing seamless integration for automated reporting.

Scheduling and Automation Tools

IBM i Job Scheduler

The IBM i Job Scheduler is a built-in tool for scheduling automated tasks, including report generation. Users can define jobs to run at specific times or intervals, ensuring that reports are generated and distributed on schedule.

Advanced Job Scheduler (AJS)

AJS is a more robust scheduling tool from IBM or other third-party vendors. It offers advanced features like job dependencies, notifications, and error handling, providing greater control over the automation process.

Also read: How can Legacy Code Modernization be made easy with automation?

Implementation Steps

Here is a step-by-step guide to implementing report automation on AS400:

Identify Reporting Requirements

Start by identifying the specific reporting needs of your business. This includes understanding the types of reports required, the data sources involved, the frequency of report generation, and the stakeholders who will use the reports.

Choose the Right Tools

Based on your requirements, select the appropriate tools for data extraction, transformation, and report generation. This may involve using built-in AS400 tools, third-party solutions, or custom-developed scripts.

Design Report Templates

Create templates for the reports, defining the format, layout, and content. This ensures consistency and standardization across all reports. Tools like SEQUEL Software or JasperReports can be used to design and customize report templates.

Automate Data Extraction and Transformation

Develop scripts or use existing tools to automate the extraction of data from AS400 databases. Apply any necessary transformations to prepare the data for reporting. SQL/400 or custom Python scripts can be used for this purpose.

Generate Reports

Configure the report generation tool to create reports based on the templates and transformed data. Schedule the reports to run at specific intervals or trigger them based on certain events.

Distribute Reports

Define the distribution channels for the reports. This may involve emailing the reports to stakeholders, saving them to a shared drive, or publishing them to a web portal. Automated distribution ensures that the right people receive the reports in a timely manner.

Monitor and Maintain

Regularly monitor the automated report generation process to ensure it is running smoothly. Perform periodic maintenance, such as updating templates or scripts, to accommodate changing business needs.

Scenario – Automating Financial Reports

To illustrate the process, let's consider an example of automating financial reports on AS400:

Data Extraction

Use SQL/400 to extract financial data from various tables in the AS400 database. This may include data on revenues, expenses, and other financial metrics.

Data Transformation

Apply business logic to transform the raw data into meaningful financial insights. This may involve aggregating data, calculating key performance indicators (KPIs), and formatting the data for reporting.

Report Generation

Use a tool like SEQUEL Software or JasperReports to design financial report templates. Configure the tool to generate reports based on the extracted and transformed data, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.

Scheduling

Schedule the report generation to run at the end of each month using the IBM i Job Scheduler. This ensures that the financial reports are ready for review at the beginning of the next month.

Distribution

Automate the distribution of the generated reports by emailing them to relevant stakeholders, such as the finance team and executives. Additionally, save the reports to a shared drive for easy access.

Future Trends

As technology continues to evolve, the scope for automated reports. Here are some future trends to watch:

Advanced Analytics and AI Integration

Integrating advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) with automation can provide deeper insights and predictive capabilities. This can help businesses identify trends, forecast outcomes, and make data-driven decisions.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based reporting solutions are becoming increasingly popular, offering scalability, flexibility, and accessibility. Integrating AS400 systems with cloud-based reporting tools can enhance the capabilities of automated report generation.

Real-Time Reporting

As businesses demand more immediate insights, real-time reporting is gaining traction. Automated systems can continuously update reports with real-time data, providing up-to-the-minute information for decision-makers.

Enhanced Data Visualization

Modern reporting tools are focusing on enhanced data visualization, providing interactive charts, graphs, and dashboards. These visual elements make it easier for users to interpret data and derive actionable insights.

Increased Focus on Security

With data security becoming a top priority, automated reporting systems are incorporating advanced security features. This includes encryption, access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive information.

Conclusion

Report generation in the AS400 universe is a powerful tool and automating it can transform how businesses manage and utilize their data. By streamlining the reporting process, automation enhances efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness, providing decision-makers with the insights they need to drive success. Whether using built-in AS400 tools, third-party solutions, or custom-developed scripts, businesses can implement automated reporting to unlock the full potential of their data. As technology continues to evolve, embracing these advancements will be crucial for staying competitive and achieving long-term growth.

Implementing automated report generation on AS400 is all about empowering your business with the tools and insights needed to thrive in a data-driven world. By investing in automation, you can ensure that your business is always ready to respond to challenges, seize opportunities, and drive innovation. In case you’re looking for comprehensive support with your automation journey, fill out the form and schedule a free call with our experts at Nalashaa!