Introduction

VEDIT is a great tool for any project involving editing or converting EBCDIC files. It is ideal for Mainframe-to-PC migration which requires EBCDIC to ASCII conversion.

With the conversion packages described on this page, any EBCDIC data file with packed-decimal, packed-binary, zoned and other special fields can be accurately and quickly converted into ASCII. Ready for importing into SQL, Access (tm) or other PC databases.

The EBCDIC conversion packages are specifically designed to convert COBOL data files. However, they can convert many other types of EBCDIC files too. The conversion is controlled by an easy-to-edit data layout which we call a ".LAY" file. In many cases, the .LAY file can be created by simply pasting a COBOL "copy-book" into it. (See the example below). EBCDIC files with multiple record types and variable length records require more complicated .LAY files; in these cases most customers contract us to create the .LAY file for them and thoroughly test it on some sample files.

Once the .LAY file has been created, the actual conversion is fully automated. It consists of simply running a batch file or clicking an icon on the desktop. The conversion has no user interaction, although it displays a progress report and reports any problems with bad data into an error file.

We have been able to convert every EBCDIC file encountered in the past year; well over a hundred different formats. Many were too complex for other conversion tools. Some of the more complicated EBCDIC files that we have converted include:

• Various FDR (First Data Resources) billing files for different industries.
• Various ADP payroll and accounting files.
• Various accounting files used in the Banking and Investment industries.
• Various patient information files used by BCBS and other Healthcare providers.
• Telephone switching files created by Siemens and Nortel switching equipment. (We wrote custom conversion macros for some of these files.)
We have also been able to convert EBCDIC files for which the file (field) specifications were unavailable or incomplete.

In a hurry? You can order and download the EBCDIC conversion software within a few minutes (during normal business hours). Realistically, you can have your first EBCDIC file with packed fields converted within an hour! And we are readily available to help in case you encounter any problems.

Prefer to delegate? We are also available on a contract basis to create a custom "ready-to-run" solution for you. In this case we convert the first file(s) and provide you with the tools to automatically convert additional similar files yourself. This is particularly convenient if you are not familiar with EBCDIC files or are short on time.