VIPP - Variable Data Intelligent PostScript Printware

VIPP is a page description language developed by Xerox. This language is based on PostScript and supports separation of variable and constant parts of pages being printed.

VIPP processes data streams in native mode, line mode, database mode and XML mode. This allows e.g. re-formatting and colouring of line mode output created by COBOL or CICS applications for fan fold printing in data centres. VIPP also supports database formats using variable or constant record length as e.g. also output from SAP and other client/server applications.

Mercury, schematic overview with VIPP

Basic processing modes for VIPP data streams

• In the (default) native mode PostScript commands are comprised with VIPP commands.
• In line mode mode a non PostScript datastream is processed by the single preceding VIPP command STARTLM. Within this command all necessary actions are defined to handle the following page oriented text data.
• In the database mode a non PostScript datastream is processed by the single VIPP command STARTDBM. The database mode is record oriented. It reads one record at a time and calls the database master (DBM), which processes the record data.
• In the XML mode a XML data stream is processed by the single VIPP command STARTXML.

Some VIPP features

• Optimal performance for image and database applications.
• Direct input of TIFF, JPEG, PostScript, Text and EPS.
• Highlighting of text by lines, boxes, shading and outlines.
• Text reflow across frames and pages.
• Caching of pre-rasterised resources.
• Output of line mode data on PostScript devices.
• Output of XML data, forms and logos in PostScript.
• Output of Code 39, Code 128, EAN, UPC, 2of5, POSTNET, PDF417 and Maxicode barcode.
• Provides direct access to PostScript PDL, this enables scaling and rotation of PostScript fonts.
• Allows you to take full advantage of powerful PostScript features without investing in costly PostScript training.
• Enables VIPP document design using third party or Xerox application design tools (for example Xerox VIPP IDE or Vitesse from Elixir).
• Production of data-driven graphics (e.g. barcodes and pie diagrams) from variable input data.

System Architecture

Mercury VIPP Implementation Details

Mercury VIPP Summary

• Mercury VIPP is compatible to the original Xerox VIPP language.
• Mercury VIPP converts VIPP data streams to PostScript.
• This makes VIPP data printable on non-Xerox printers. The dependency on Xerox is omitted.
• All original VIPP resources and control files are processed by Mercury VIPP.
• Neither the VIPP creating application nor the VIPP data stream needs to be modified in any way.
• A lot of features already available with Mercury now becomes applicable for VIPP data streams, too.