COLD/ERM

COLD is an acronym for Computer Output To Laser Disk, originating back when document management systems used large jukeboxes full of optical disks. Today, we’ve pretty much dispensed with the unreliable failure-prone jukeboxes, but the acronym lives on and has grown to refer to the process of converting bulk mainframe reports into an indexed digital form, directly searchable and retrieveable by end users. Those reports are embodied in the alternative, newer acronym ERM (Electronic Report Management) that is gaining popularity, but means the same thing.

The COLD process starts by capturing report data from a mainframe, typically by copying it from a mainframe print queue. The raw data is then formatted, processed, and burst into the desired lowest common denominator (an individual report , invoice, purchase order, etc). Finally, index information is extracted from preselected areas in the text and used to create a new index record. The new record and file is then stored in Optix.

Optix COLD includes GUI-based tools that make it easy to design and implement a complete COLD solution.