🚀 go-pugleaf

How to convert a mapper format to something workable on an AS/400

Hi to everyone out in Cyberland, please forgive the cross-posting. You
will understand after you read this I hope, if not PLEASE do not get
upset I will only post this ONE time.

I have a very interesting problem where I work and I do not have the
knowledge to fix the problem. This email/posting is going to be a LONG
because it will take me a few paragraphs to explain what is going on, so
bare with me and maybe someone out there has a web page or information
on what to do.

The history of the system:
The company where I work currently has Unix server, (System Level V
Revision 4.0) the server is running a program called MAPPER, (Revision
Level 5R3A) which is a out of date Database. Mapper was very powerful
YEARS ago and is very outdated by today�s standards. We have no problem
with the Unix server other than the cost of maintenance is to high to
justify keeping the Server. Mapper was and still is a build as you need,
(by hard coding, run design) database that was made into a billing
system and report generator for the company I work for. It has been
designed in a �make it do this now� way so that everything is starting
to not work correctly.

We are looking into changing everything over to a IBM AS/400 with a OS
operating system running a program called Cameo, which is a billing and
report program for Utility companies and such.

The problem:
Mapper is designed badly and there is no program that I know of that
would be able to convert a mapper format to something workable on an
AS/400. I need to FIND a conversion program to convert a mapper format
to an ASCII format so it can be loaded into an AS/400 and so the Cameo
Software can see it. The company that we are talking to about this has
never done a conversion from a Mapper software before and they are
firmly rooted in IBM AS/400 thus they have no idea where to begin.

A different way to go maybe:
On the mapper back-up tape that we create every week we back-up the
mapper rids, (files to the rest of the world) but they are backed up in
a mapper format, (much like Word saves Letters is a Word format) I know
there has to be away to select a DIFFERENT back-up type in order for a
conversion to be done. SO I need a Unix guru to email me back if there
is anything that can be done.

The reason for the email/posting:
I am posting this email to all newsgroups that I think might be able to
help in pointing me to the right program or maybe a web page that has
something I need or some help in finding what I need.

I know that someone somewhere in the past had to convert their Mapper
software to something OTHER, like an AS/400 or something.

Thank you in advance for any help on this matter.

Roger
Roger@apci.net