Anyone know how InDesign (or other CS4 software can interact with a Mainframe computer?

We print a lot of form letters, tax forms etc off of our main frame. Sometimes in large quantities.
Currently we are using a prgram called Elixir Design Pro tools to get the jobs done via the maineframe.
Is there any way that we can somehow incorporate InDesign to get forms printed without having to hassle around with this program? (Think giant mial merge off data stings on a main frame.
In the book, the background information on the program states:
The print process begins with the submission of a JCL (Job Control Language) statement. This JCL statement includes the instructions to start the job, along with the primary resources the job needs. These resources might typically include the data source, the PageDef and the Form Def.
These pieces are used by the PSF (Print Service FAcility,) a printer driver that resides in the host. PSF finds and retrieves all necesary resources, then has a two-way conversation with the printer using IPDS (Omtellegent Print Data Stream). IPDS is the language used for PSF and the printer to communicate with each other.
In addition to the Elixer fomrats, Visual PPFA allows the use of various overlay, fonts and images formats for your document desing.
Extensions on these include:
DOCUMENTS:obj; .src; .pfa; .dbf; efd; epd;
OVERLAYS: ove; ovt; 01; ogl; efr; elx;
FONTS: Several AFP and Adobe Type Manager Fonts, True type fonts
IMAGES; AFP; bitmap; Elixer Legacy(.LP3; JPEG; JPG; PC Paintbrush . pcx; Portab;e netwrok .png; and tif
Anyone know more about this that I am ever goign to?  We print large volume and are tyring (I beleive ) to get this to somehow print on something similar to a Docutech (maybe???) Thank you. I will realy any info (i'm sure there will be questions asked of me) to our head IT guru.

Where does the need for your mainframe come in to play then? If your goal is the use InDesign and not use the Elixir solution that you've already got and you want variable data printing you're going to look into something such as an XMPie or similar sort of VDP package. As is with your solution (of if you are using the lighter version of Elixir) you can put InDesign in and assign whatever dynamic goodness you want and spit out what you need.
If you've already got an expensive and supported solution that works on your mainframe and in your system I just don't see the sense in finding another expensive solution. You could maybe get it done with InDesign server or via a VDP solution, but why? What do you gain with it? Elegance maybe?
It sounds like something that is $10,000–50,000 deep as is with the combination of hardware and software that you have. Why would you want to dump another $20,000 minimum to get another solution that doesn't bring anything to the table?
InDesign server is for lightweight servers, not the big iron and will only run on Windows or Mac OS X, not on AIX or any of the big blade solutions as far as I know.

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